Dekel Knows What Makes Her Feel Good

Your new album ‘Desert Moon’ is out now.. How did you want to approach the making of this record?

I really wanted to bring a positive and energetic vibe to the process. It creates most of the time a space you can flow in it. And it brings creativity and joy to it which is very important and essential to the process in my opinion.

The album was produced with Jonathan Quarmby (Ian Brown, Richard Hawley, Sam Ryder, Lewis Capaldi). How did you both meet and what was that experience like?

Jonathan and I met a few years back to work on my 2nd album and it was a great connection from the start which is utterly amazing, cos’ it doesn’t happen to me that often actually. We get each other and he understands very well what I’m looking for musically wise. The work environment is positive, attentive, funny and there’s a lot of room for exploration. I guess I’m a person who needs to have trust and connection with the people I’m working with and creating. There should be a certain frequency. Otherwise it wouldn’t work.

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?

My hometown is called Haifa (IL) and it based on top of an ever green beautiful mountain called ‘The Carmel’ which is close to my heart. In five words: trust, openness, beauty, togetherness, challenges.

The album release is preceded with the release of your single ‘Makes Me Feel Good’. What is the story/inspiration behind this track?

I wanted to expand my realty. And via words is one of the best ways to expand it. Words and imagination. Also, the ritual of saying thank you on what you have and by that the things you thank to also expand themselves. All of this made me wanted to write a song about what makes me feel good in order to feel it more and more over and over again. You can actually feel it physically, your heart expands and your observation gets wider and deeper. you basically become gentler in many aspects.

The single is accompanied by a music video. What was the thought-process behind it?

Collect everything that makes me feel good. For example: animals, nature, fruits, vegetables etc.

I find it so clever and mysterious while other people taking it for granted.                              

In doing my research, I discovered that you work a lot with savannah creatures in the nearby countryside of Tel-Aviv. How did you find yourself in that line of work and do you have any funny/interesting/memorable stories from being surrounded by nature?

I started to work in a petting zoo, and from there in charity farms and then in a safari, all three have different animals and conditions. It came naturally to me to work in places like these. I still have lots of interests to check also the sea turtles rescue centre, a sanctuary for animals who have been abused, learning zoology and counting.

Memorable stories: Feeding a rhino (as a session) from closely in order for it to trust me, scratching a Dragon Comodo Lizard on its head and cleaning the dry layers of its skin that looks like a colourful knight armour. Most importantly working with animals adds lots of meaningful moments in my life and teaches me humbleness and unconditional love.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments/pedals/effects?

I prefer live music, live instruments. I prefer instruments such as an acoustic guitar, double bass, accordion, drums.

Do you have any plans to support the album release with any live shows in the UK or other countries?

Yes, a tour is being planned in Europe during October.

How do you look after your voice?

I practice by myself specific exercises. Taking sessions on a weekly basis with my teacher. I Don’t eat dairy, I don’t smoke, I hardly drink alcohol and coffee.

What makes Dekel happy and what makes you unhappy?

A smile, dark chocolate, a bud when it’s about to be a flower, when I see/feel progress, when there’s a connection, a bond, a good word, many things make me happy I can write here a long list 🙂 what makes me feel unhappy would be I guess the opposite of what I wrote in the above.

Photo Credit: Shahar Hilla.

Dekel’s latest single ‘Makes Me Feel Good’ is out now. Her new album ‘Desert Moon’ is also out now. For more information visit: DEKEL (dekelmusic.com)