An israeli-born musician opens up about his diverse influences, passions, and background.
By Eliza Edel
You might listen to Charmed & Strange and think you’re hearing a brilliant band. But you’d be wrong. Oh, it’s brilliant, but it’s the work of just one man—musical newcomer Yoav, who combines vocal ingenuity with deft acoustic guitar to create an incredibly rich and seductive sound (think Radiohead meets John Mayer). The 28-year-old savant incorporates a fusion of genres and ethnic influences into his music, from urban hip-hop to traditional Indian tabla. Maybe that’s because Yoav is a fusion of influences himself. Born in Israel, raised in South Africa, and currently based in London, Yoav is now setting his sights on the States. He wrapped up his tour with Tori Amos in December and is about to hit the road on his own. We caught up with him mid-tour to find out more about this up-and-comer.
How did you develop your unusual musical style?
Everywhere I have lived has given my music a different facet. Growing up in South Africa I was exposed to pop music for the first time, not to mention the percussive aspect of African music, particularly a couple of guitarists I grew up listening to who used their guitars to tease out African rhythms. Then, living in London, I found dance music and electronica in its various forms and started wondering how to translate that onto an acoustic guitar. My time in New York was full of every type of music I could find—from classical Indian to drum ’n’ bass, but especially hip-hop. Eventually the sounds I was making reflected these cultural melting pot and became something altogether different.
Has Judaism worked its way into your music?
Though there is a large Jewish community in South Africa, I was never really a part of it. I was sent to an Anglican school, with a good music program, where I was the only Jewish person. I would say those formative years as an outsider very much inform the way I see the world and the lyrics that I write.
What do you do in your off time?
While touring, I have Jack Kerouac’s On the Road on tape for the journey and the South Park TV series for the hotel room. When I am back in South Africa I love to surf, badly. In general, getting into nature balances out living in metropolises and running around the world with my guitar. (www.yoavmusic.com.)
