Joseph E-Shine is the musical alias for Israel born and Los Angeles, US based producer, Yossi Mizrahi and he joins us today to discuss his collaborative release, ‘We Must Bring A Change’.
Yossi has spent the majority of his musical journey establishing himself as a key player in the Israel music scene and is known for being the lead producer and principal guitarist for award winning, multi-million selling artist Ninet and having won five gold records.
In 2016, Yossi relocated to Los Angeles, USA, where he re-established himself as a well known and renowned producer.
‘We Must Bring A Change’ was conceived in May 2020, in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and Yossi had just heard the news of the murder of George Floyd.
Featuring multi platinum artist Ninet Tayeb, who was recorded in their improvised bedroom studio, PXTN on a FaceTime remote session from Miami, and co-writers Scott S & Kathleen Reiter, who tracked themselves in their L.A apartment, the project intentionally brought together men and women from all different backgrounds to create a global callout for change.
As well as these feature artists, the project brought together fifteen musicians and two drummers, from two sides of the world including Joseph’s father.
“The result is a stunning collaboration of women and men, from different races and different countries all singing and playing together, sending one simple message – WE must bring a change.”
You can listen to ‘We Must Bring A Change’ below
Tell us a little about who Joseph E-Shine is in everyday life.
An explorer, a happy father of two, and a happy husband. Otherwise on the studio nerd spectrum 😉
What was it that first got you into music?
My Dad is a drummer so I grew up among his musician’s friends.
Musical instruments were around all the time so I picked up the drums first, then bass, and lastly the guitar.
It was a very natural process.
You have released your new single, ‘We Must Bring A Change’.. tell us a little about how this song came about.
The song was conceived in the midst of COVID right after George Floyd’s murder.
I was as horrified by the news as the rest of the world.
I was locked down in Tel-Aviv with my wife and daughter and we had a little electric piano there, so I started jamming this piano riff and the chorus just busted out of me.
I knew right away this should be a collective song so I reached out to my buddy PXTN (Paxton Ingram) in Miami, my wife and two phenomenal writers from LA – Kathleen Reiter and Scott Schwartz and asked everyone to brainstorm on lyrics and melodic ideas for the verses, after a few weeks and remote sessions we all came up with it like magic.
The producing/recording process was a trip too…
I’ve sent out an email blast to a lot of friends around the world and told them they can all sing and play whatever they want so I got so many different voices and musical parts I would never think about myself.
What does the song mean to you?
It shows that we can.
There are over 15 musicians from different countries, during intense global pandemic-locked down all singing and playing just to spread a positive message.
I couldn’t ask for more.
With this track, you brought together women and men from all kinds of different backgrounds.. What was your experience like in doing this?
In the first go of recording, some people were afraid to take a part cause they didn’t want to be taken the wrong way, which I totally understand.
These are tricky times to voice an opinion.
So I let the song sit for like a year.
Then after the last war in the middle east started, I’ve realized that there are so many reasons to sing this song, racial justice, police brutality, war… these can all be UNITING reasons to sing.
It was so beautiful to see everyone join together and contributing, it also showed how universal music is.
The song is about bringing about change.. what are the biggest changes you would like to see happen?
I’m trying to be the best version of myself every single day.
We all know how challenging this can be. I truly believe that if each of us, whether you’re a world leader or a bartender, will take good care of our actions, how we treat our loved ones, and the strangers we meet every day, this world will be a better place.
What is your creative process like, when you are creating your music?
I work on many different musical projects and genres so it really varies, but there’s one thing in common with anything I’m working on, and it’s the intention.
I always ask myself what do I mean, what am I trying to say? Whether I play a single note on my guitar, write a lyric or program a beat, it has to say something.
Music speaks, art speaks.
Has there been anything along the releasing process that you would do differently next time?
Yes. always.
I think I would be less careful and move faster.
Even though I’m a big believer that everything happens at the right time and place, I still wish I would be less in my head and less judgmental of my songs.
What would success in your music look like to you?
Allow me to quote my clever wife – when people connect and love to the same thing you love and want them to connect to.. and of course, the quantities…. that helps too.
Is there any message that you would like to share with your audience?
Do. don’t be afraid to initiate any idea.
You’ll be surprised how people around you would love to help or even be a part of something.
The worst thing that can happen is you’ll fail and learn a great lesson.
Where can people go to find your music?
Any streaming services – Joseph E-Shine.
I also post about all my new releases on my IG @eshine
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.