Just Fame got a chance to interview Israel-based musician, producer, and singer-songwriter Ethan Gontar. He primarily records covers and original songs with a strong foundation in acoustic folk and electro pop styles. We got insights into his journey as a musician, the creative process that he follows, upcoming projects and much more!
Q. It is wonderful to have you on Just Fame! Could you please tell us about your journey as a musician and how did you embark on this path?
Ethan Gontar: Well, this journey began many years ago. I think the first memory about me that I remember is me actually holding a musical instrument in my hand! I remember my grandfather was a musician, and every time he played I looked at him with great admiration. Today he is not here to see what I create, but I’m sure he will be proud of me. To be honest, I do not remember which musical instrument I first played, I think it was either a piano or a flute. After that, I picked up guitar, drums, harmonica, and all this harmony made me do something with it, and thus I started composing music. Today I am exploring a lot of music styles and each time with new music that I release I try to diversify my work.
Q. Your upcoming singles are “Forever” and “Say Goodbye” Please tell us what was the inspiration behind those songs?
Ethan Gontar: First of all, these songs are two completely different genres. One is Acoustic Folk, and the other is Electro-pop. Like I said before, I’m still exploring all sorts of genres, so you can see significant differences in these two songs.
Well, “Forever” is about our life, how it can be both unclear and magic. All the choices we made are because we have been there to choose. Over and over again. We are always directing our lives like a movie. We are where we are because of those choices. With time, we are understanding that we don’t want to get older, we all wanna live forever, well, most of us. At least me, ha! I know that I will be young forever in my soul, and every time, I ask myself, do we think about how we could always live forever? I think that the thought of “forever young” had me thinking for a while. I like to write about deep and touching subjects for people. The song “Forever” is written from the fact of how amazed I am that our lives are so magical. You know? It is important to be optimistic. Be positive.
I wrote this song with a very talented singer, who happened to be studying with me in high school. We have stayed in touch to this day, mostly, thanks to the music.
The song “Say Goodbye” is about a girl I met on a trip, which lasted about 3 days. On this trip, we did exactly what is described in the song. Together under the stars at night, we connected terribly, even though we both come from different worlds, as described in the song. Different worlds? I mean a different religion. We had a very strong connection, the connection continued after the trip, but as described in the song, it did not last long.
In the song, you can see all sorts of memories from our meetings, like that time on the beach, when I thought it was probably a sign that we were meant to be together, but no. The very fact that we are from different worlds, it can not happen. Religion defeated love. The story is very sad, but I decided to go for a happy and catchy bit, because thanks to all this, “Say Goodbye” was born.
Q. Kindly share with us your creative process which you follow while you make your music.
Ethan Gontar: When I’m working on a new project, I like to fully concentrate, 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 that come from the heart come easily on the page, and that’s what’s beautiful about music! The recording process for “Forever” was long, exhausting, and challenging.
Hearing the same song 1000 times is exhausting. But hearing your song 1000 times isn’t too much of a problem.
You’re looking for every little mistake, like, for example, I found one chord that was not played well. I found something that I think didn’t align well in the song. So I made changes and re-recorded the part again. It is exhausting and frustrating, but I know it’s worth it in the end.
Every new song that I start writing or composing, I get into a different mode. Sometimes in a stronger mode, sometimes less. The hardest part about being a musician is not getting lost. Although I will not lie, I got lost several times and occasionally it even led me to good places. I have a sentence that I strongly believe in: “Passion is the key to any creation.”
Q. How do you navigate the creative zone in your daily life? Any daily mantra or tips that you follow to stay creative?
Ethan Gontar: Every time I plan a new project, I think about everything. Why, how, where! I always go out for filming with my team that helps me produce everything, and we have excellent chemistry together.
Is it hot? cold? awkward? It doesn’t matter to us. Everything that matters to us is the goal, and how we reach it.
After a long day of filming and recording, we eagerly go into the editing room. And from there, the magic begins. Sometimes all the fun is that I create with terribly close friends. Coincidentally, some of my friends are musicians! The best gift a musician can receive is a friend, who is also a musician. I guess they are the answer to my creativity being preserved. It’s them, and my dreams that move me forward.
Q. What next? Which projects are you working on now?
Ethan Gontar: At the moment I am busy composing a lot of original melodies, and one of those melodies that I am satisfied with when composed into a full-fledged song will be released one day. With all of that, I also perform cover songs for all sorts of artists I admire and listen to on a daily basis.
Q. Lastly, do you have any closing thoughts that you would like to share with the world and our readers?
Ethan Gontar: We plan to create new stuff, also make some new cover versions, travel around the world and try to capture the best frames for us.
It is impossible to know where this path will lead, but it is possible to know that we will never stop creating. Thank you for hosting me here and see you soon with more music.
About the artist: Ethan Gontar is an Israel based musician, producer, and singer-songwriter who primarily records covers and original songs with a strong foundation in acoustic folk, and electro-pop styles. He was born on May 17, 1996, in Nahariya, Israel, and grew up in Acre. Gontar learned how to play the piano at age 6, and started to play the guitar at age 11.
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