Two friends who met in high school decided to work together on music, and we caught them up for an exclusive interview.
Ethan Gontar and Shay Vagner are two Israeli musicians. In this interview, we will talk with them about their new song and the process of working together.
Could you please tell us about your journey as a musician?
Ethan: It all started when I was in first grade; my parents brought me into the world of music. When I was 6, I started playing the flute and piano. I had so much fun that I decided I wanted to start learning guitar one day in sixth grade. My mom bought me a guitar toy with four strings in purple. I will never forget it. I was so excited about this guitar toy that I started writing songs and performing with her on my and my friends’ birthdays. So funny.
My parents saw that I was passionate about this world and decided to buy me my first classical guitar. When I saw her one bright morning, I didn’t stop shaking. I had with her exactly 15 minutes or so, and then I had to go to school. So all day, I talked with my friends about the new guitar they bought me and how much I was dying to return home and play.
Since then, everything has been history.
Shay: My journey hasn’t been long. I was quite the shy guy and couldn’t have done that a few years ago. My journey as a musician started with my friend Ethan Gontar as our paths crossed together in 2019. Since then, we have written, sang, and created together.
Kindly share with us your creative process, which you follow while you make your music.
Ethan: When I’m working on a new project, I like to concentrate fully, which means coffee on the side, a pen that writes well, and lots of energy to sit for hours on the chair in front of the table. I believe that the songs from the heart come quickly on the page, and that’s what’s beautiful about music!
Shay: My process for making music is quite the odd one, I have the tune first, and then I start to match the words; it all comes naturally like a rap song.
Did any event, in particular, inspire you to write this song?
Ethan: I like to write about profound and touching subjects for people. You know, it’s essential to be optimistic. Be positive.
Shay: We all had our heartbreak at least once or twice; that’s one of my inspirations for this song.
What next? Which projects are you working on now?
Ethan: Well, I know it’s a vast world, but there’s room for every artist. I plan to continue working on new music, develop, and try to create things that have not yet been done, which means archive as many goals as possible.
Shay: Next, we as a duo want to work on a more rhythmic song.
How was the process of recording and writing?
Ethan: Funny and long. Ha! I enjoyed every second of it. We took our studio to our car, then we parked in front of the beach, and took all our studio to that place. So that’s the way that we got a lot of inspiration.
Shay: It was enjoyable. It’s one of our muse times, and we thought that this song had potential and went all the way to create and share it.
What was it like to work together as a duo?
Ethan: I know Shay from school. But this is the first time we have decided to collaborate fully and give everything to the outside world. We have strong connections as friends and as musicians.
Shay: Before we became a duo, we were close friends, so we have a strong bond, and it’s always fun, funny, and exciting to work together
About the song
The man feels that the woman doesn’t give him the love he deserves, making him weak, and everything suddenly seems so weird.
He starts to recollect all of the wildest dreams that came true and the ones they planned for the future.
He talks about the deep connection, his strong feelings that don’t align with hers.
The video clip starts with a video from an old tape of the couple in their childhood, and between them is a map of the world, a toy plane, and a toy van. Ever since they were little kids, their wildest dream was to fly worldwide, rent a van and explore the world.
Follow Ethan Gontar on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe on YouTube.
Follow Shay Vagner on Instagram.
The song can be streamed now on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp.