Miki Gavrielov on Music and Dreams: An Exclusive Interview

Early afternoon in a typical, quiet street on the outskirts of Ramat HaSharon, except for the pleasant sounds coming from Miki Gavrielov's studio. "This used to be a storage room," he says, when I ask about the history of the place. "A few years ago, I rented the property and built a studio here. This is where I write and record songs, continually working on new material. Just two months ago, I released a new album called 'In Other Days,' and my musical creativity flows without stopping."

Amidst challenging times, your recent album release is commendable.

"For me, the conflict actually sparked the desire to create. I wanted to document the era we are experiencing, from the early days of the judicial reform and the surrounding battles to the challenges we face now. My personal wants are often transformed into creativity, and indeed, the new album’s songs reflect themes of longing, disappointment, lack of sympathy, and humanity's need for love."

"Many Arab nations believe Israel shouldn't exist, but we will not let them destroy this state. We've gathered here from all over the world and intend to stay. Many people, including my parents, came to Israel to live in a Jewish state. This country's survival demands proper protection, and the October 7 disaster showed us our vulnerabilities. I performed in the south and north recently and noticed the breaches in our borders. Despite significant investments in security, just one tractor dismantled our defenses."

"Moreover, the nation's division was dreadful before the conflict. They say Hamas recognized this and acted on it, thankfully without coordination with Hezbollah, Iran, and our other enemies. What they didn’t know about us is that in moments of crisis, we unite powerfully. Within days, people came to fight side by side, regardless of their stance on reforms. Even those who harmed us in that terrible disaster made no political distinctions—they saw us all as Jews."

Opening the Heavens

"My parents immigrated from Turkey, deeply connected to Judaism and tradition," Gavrielov continues. "My father learned Hebrew through prayer and Torah study, which greatly helped him upon immigrating at 16. What preserved the Jewish identity in Turkey and other diaspora countries was the synagogue cornerstone and connection to Judaism. My father performed kiddush every Shabbat evening, and we always celebrated the holidays. My father also valued immersing us in Torah, believing it taught the best morals and values. He knew no other ethics."

"We lived in Shapira neighborhood, Tel Aviv, right next to a synagogue, often consulting the rabbi for educational advice. My mother was a simple woman with deep faith, and this influenced me. I’m not religious, but in our home, we celebrate all holidays, have special meals on Shabbat, and dedicate time to be together. My parents drew their primary values from the Torah, and my wife and I raised our children and grandchildren on both Jewish and universal democratic values."

Speaking of childhood, when did your musical journey begin?

"I was a child always humming tunes, feeling a natural, special connection to music. It intensified when I saw a friend’s guitar and was fascinated. I asked my parents for a guitar, but they said it wasn't serious, that I needed to study a profession. We agreed that I’d study carpentry, and in exchange, they’d get me a guitar. As expected, carpentry didn’t last for me, but the guitar’s been with me ever since. During my teens, I began performing, and suddenly we realized something deemed unserious was profitable."

"It was around the same time we formed the Churchills, and eventually, the late Arik Einstein chose us as his accompanying band. We didn't know why he wanted us; we were a rock band, and he sang ballads, but the synergy was fantastic. Over time, our relationship became more personal, and we started creating together. Usually, Arik brought lyrics, and I provided the tunes. His voice was always in my ear, and what I composed was tailored for him. In 1981, Arik suddenly decided to stop performing, ending a chapter in my life. He loved recording but disliked the stage. Arik and I created five albums together, along with more songs like 'Mother Earth' and 'Evening by Gilad's Heaps'.

Some songs Arik and you created, like 'Fly, Young Bird' and 'Me and You', have become classics. How does that feel?

"It feels special, but remember, at the time we wrote the songs, we didn’t foresee their success. We didn’t really think about it; we just focused on whether we liked them. The reality is those songs have endured for over 55 years, which speaks volumes. Children whose parents weren’t born when these songs came out know them by heart, which is fantastic. During that era, I also met the late Uri Zohar and collaborated extensively. I was the musical director for one of the shows Uri created with Arik and others, and I also composed for one of Uri’s films, amassing shared experiences."

Many artists might read this interview. Can you share your song creation process?

"I have no specific method for composing and writing. Some songs came to me in dreams. At night, I dream melodies and record them during the day. I often think of a few notes, a small melody segment, and then develop it. Sometimes, I draw inspiration for the tune from the words I want to set to music. Naturally, some songs stem from my life, from what I hear and see."

"For example, many people don’t know the song 'Fly, Young Bird' was born thanks to an old Midrash Arik once knew. Maybe I’m not completely accurate, but as I recall, Arik shared a Midrash he once heard, about how to open the heavenly gates during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by taking hatchlings from a dove’s nest. The distressed cries from the mother dove would open the skies. This Midrash intertwined with a dove that often cooed on my window sill where Arik and I worked, sparking the song’s idea. Initially, the song didn’t succeed, and critics dismissed it as trivial. Everyone knows how it ended up."

When Dreams Come True

With all due respect to these past stories, and respect is due, Gavrielov’s present is also noteworthy. A few months ago, he released a new album and is currently on tour celebrating 60 years of musical creation. "It sounds like a lot, and it is a substantial life span. Yes, I’ve been performing for six decades. In my shows, I sing pivotal songs from all eras of my career: my time with Arik, the Turkish-Greek period, and more. I also share life stories, which add tremendously. I perform with an acoustic guitar, accompanied by six outstanding musicians who have been with me for years. I thoroughly enjoy performing, and the day I stop enjoying it will be the day I stop performing."

Celebrating six decades of creativity, what do you wish for yourself in the coming decades?

"Today, I’m not in a place dreaming of success but mostly wishing to stay healthy, continue creating, and performing. I still come to this studio every day to create new things. I’m concurrently working on a theatrical show and believe it will be fantastic. Additionally, I hope to wake up knowing we have a great life in our country, that people love and respect each other even in disagreements. It’s a big dream of mine, and I believe it can come true."