A Conversation with Tel Aviv Musician, Eden Atad
By Gabby C.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote, “Music is the universal language of mankind.”
I experienced this quote the other day on Band Camp. I came across the Israeli musician, Eden Atad. I had never heard of him, nor any of the members in his band.
But there was his album staring at me in the face. Track 9 —titled קיפאון, which translates to “Stagnation” — stood out to me the most.
Since I don’t now any Hebrew, I was forced to feel and interpret the song entirely off its melody, the beats, and the tone of the singer. That’s okay, though, because we’re all human and music is universal.
Listen to the song. What do you feel?
To me, this song feels like movement. The song starts with the guitar. Up and down the notes go. It forms the pulse of the song and anchors all of its themes. Each time I listen to it, I always imagine the song’s protagonist walking… walking around his or her town, not necessarily towards or away from anything, but just walking through. It seems that he or she is just trying to make it through life. The song is melancholic too. There’s a sense of both despondency and hope. On one hand, they’ve accepted their surroundings, what’s become of the place where they live… But on the other hand, there is hope and flashes of optimism and defiance (the choruses 1:34-2:09 and 3:31-4:15 especially highlight this feeling). During the chorus, I picture the protagonist rising up, finally making sense of everything (of course, I could be wrong). Then, the song returns to the introductory guitar melody. It continues to weave in and out of these feelings of despair and hope. But even amongst all the sadness, there’s striking beauty to “Stagnation”. In many ways, the beauty culminates with the wistful piano solo at the end…
Everyone will interpret a song based on their own experiences, but I love this song because I can reflect on my own life through someone else’s worldview.
Eventually, my curiosity got the best of me, and I wanted to know what the song actually meant. I reached out to Eden to ask him for the lyrics (I didn’t entirely trust the accuracy of Google Translate!). He was kind enough to send me the translations and answer some of my questions. I hope you guys enjoy the interview and the song.
What inspired you to write this song?
This song is actually about a drive to my sister’s wedding, it was a 2 hours drive in the hottest day in the year and the wedding was in the desert so it was kind of a funny moment.
What does this song mean to you?
I guess for me this song is mainly about 2 things: One is the differences between generations and point of views. How me and my girlfriend see this drive and this world (turning up music and feel sick from long drives), my parents that trying to make a conversation, my older sister which is an intellectual and her daughter (Yarden) that ask much more simple and interesting questions as a little girl.
The second thing is kind of a joke about bourgeoise. The very pre-covid though that nothing ever happens, how boring is this drive and this life and how comfortable our lives are these days and the thought (kind of prophetic now when I think about it haha) that it will end some day and something will change and shake our world.
Where did you learn music?
I learned for a few years how to play the piano when I was young but I learned mostly from playing a lot, writing my own songs and creating bands. This album (and the others in bandcamp) our just quick songs in one takes that I made for fun.
What musicians influenced you the most?
My base (which is the most important part) is Israeli music that my parents liked. Musicians like Ehud Banai, Eric Einstein (which thus song is actually a tribute to his song ‘Sa Leat’) and others.. Than when I was around 11 I started listening a lot to The Beatles (Lennon mostly) than I made a long way to Indie music like The Microphones, Pavement, Radio dept. and others…Now I only listen to things I liked when I was a kid I guess it’s kind of nostalgic for me.. It’s kind of a circle I guess.
Eden Atad (bottom right) is also the lead guitarist of Bones Garage, an alternative rock band from Tel Aviv, Israel. The band’s latest album, Poland, was released back in June 2020.
Songwriter’s Translation:
We went south on the hottest day of the year
To Klil’s wedding
I turn up the music while my parents our speaking
“We can’t hear a thing”
My sister talks about the factories and the sinkholes
Yarden asks what is the role of the president,
and what is the role of god
“We don’t know”
Something must happen
Something must move something
Maybe in Shavuot eve
Last holiday
And this year will come to an end
Maybe after the stagnation comes the flood
My love hates word plays,
Don’t speak in despair
“Why does America enters into Iraq? Conquer (also “because of Bush” in Hebrew 😅)
We do not laugh
“We will never make it” I say
Mia feel sick
My father says that this country goes down the toilet
And I feel fine
Just turn on the AC
Something must happen
Something must move something
Maybe in Shavuot eve
Last holiday
And this year will end
Maybe after the stagnation comes the flood.
Hebrew Lyrics:
נסענו לדרום ביום חמסין לחתונה של כליל
אני מגביר את המוזיקה כשההורים משוחחים
אנחנו לא שומעים
אחותי מספרת על המפעלים ועל הבולענים
ירדן שואלת מה התפקיד של הנשיא ומה של אלוהים
אנחנו לא יודעים
משהו חייב לקרות
משהו חייב להזיז משהו
אולי בערב שבועות
חג אחרון ונסיים את השנה
אולי אחרי הקיפאון בא שיטפון
אהובתי שונאת משחקי מילים, שותקת ביאוש
למה ארצות הברית נכנסת לאפגניסטן? כיבוש
אנחנו לא צוחקים
אף פעם לא נגיע, אני מצהיר, למיה יש בחילה
אבי אומר שהארץ בקרשים ולי נעים דווקא
רק שיהיה מזגן.