SIMA – With a powerful message of hope, singer/songwriter Sima is working to break down society’s negative perceptions and barriers. First, with her appropriately named debut song “Breaking Down the Walls” in 2009 and her subsequent debut album This Is My Truth (2012), and now with her powerful new single “Runaways”, which is available everywhere for streaming and downloads.
Interview conducted on June 17, 2020
The single ‘Runaways’ is out NOW EVERYWHERE for streaming and downloads.
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in Israel in a small town called Lod. Lod is a poor city where Arabs and mainly Jewish immigrants from Arab countries live side-by-side. My dad Isaac Galanti was born in Izmir, Turkey and my mom Lydia was born in Marrakesh, Morocco. They came to Israel with their family when they were young kids to escape antisemitism and start a new life. Lod is located 20 minutes from Tel Aviv and right next to the Israel international airport, Ben Gurion Airport. Lod is a place with many socio-economic problems, violence, crime, and drug dealers. There wasn’t much to do there creatively and socially. We didn’t have a movie theater, restaurants, or any nightlife growing up. I was always active and social. I had amazing friends and we spent a lot of time in Tel Aviv. Growing up in Lod forced me to dream even bigger, be creative, and pursue a better life. It made me stronger, determined, and gave me the courage to never give up on my dreams.
As you were growing up in Israel, you looked at the US culture and its music and you knew you wanted to be an artist. What did you see in the American culture that gave you the want and drive to go into music?
I think growing up in Israel, especially in such a small and hard city like Lod, I was fascinated and influenced by the music culture and the films that came from America. It was mind-blowing, exciting, fresh and so progressive. Artists were so expressive and open, especially women, which I didn’t see growing up in such a conservative home. America had all this powerful, amazing music, fashion, and films which made me realize there is a whole world out there, something bigger than my life and I wanted to be a part of that. America was a place of opportunities and dreams come true.
How did you discover music?
I loved music since I remember myself. I started singing at a very young, I was about ten years old. Music is a big deal in our culture and in Israel. I sang in school plays and different holidays, and indifferent singing competitions and festivals. My mom always pushed me to sing at Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, and family events. Music has always been a part of my existence and the way I expressed myself.
I was introduced to rock and metal music by my sister Janet, who I shared a room with growing up. She introduced me to amazing records and bands like Pearl Jam, AC/DC, Nirvana, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Guns and Roses, The Doors, The Cure, and many more. She also took me to my first rock concert to see Deep Purple when I was 11 years old. I also went to school with this kid whose parents were artists, painters, sculptors, and educators. I loved spending time in their home; it was completely different from my home environment. At my friend’s house, I was exposed to poetry, art, classical music, and classic rock. My friend was an amazing guitar player, so we spent a lot of time together singing and playing music. He also introduced me to some incredible rock bands like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, Sting, and many more great artists.
How did you start to write music?
I started writing poetry and journaling about my experiences growing up at the age of 11 or 12. But my real songwriting developed when I left Israel and moved to NYC. That’s when I started working on my craft and developed my own singing and writing style.
What was your first performance like?
My first performance in the U.S. was in NYC. I was nervous as hell but when I started singing, things got better and I got more comfortable and rocked it out. I was definitely still finding my voice and who I was as an artist which continued to develop and change with time.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
I recorded a lot of demos and ideas once I got to NYC. I don’t remember what the first thing I ever wrote was, but I remember the songs that I felt were significant to me and those I ended up releasing.
In 2009, you released your first single “Breaking Down the Walls.” How was it to have your first single out?
Well, “Breaking Down The Walls” went through a lot of transition. I actually recorded the first version of the song in 2005 and released it on my first EP ‘You Are Not Alone.’ It was exciting to have my own EP out there to show the world. But it was just my first baby steps as an artist. In 2009, I lived in Miami for one year and worked on my first record ‘This Is My Truth’ that I ended up completing when I moved to L.A. “Breaking Down The Walls” was a special song to me and I really wanted to make this song better. I felt that it was such a powerful song, with a powerful message, and I knew I could make it better both in performance and production. I wanted it like everything that I heard on the radio, quality-wise. I knew that Tom Lord Alge (Dave Matthews Band, U2, Rolling Stones, Marilyn Manson, pink and many more) also lived in South Beach, so I had him mix the song. And Ted Jensen (Eagles Hotel California, Billy Joel, Green Day, Talking Heads, Nora Jones, Bring Me The Horizon and many more) did the mastering in his studio Sterling Sound in NYC. I remember listening to it in Sterling Sound with Ted and it felt like a dream come true. Like, I was waiting for this moment all my life. To work with those who worked with some of my favorite artists and hearing this massive sound coming out of the speakers, it was a magical and exciting moment in my career.
Early this year, you worked on “Runaways” with your friend Evan Rodaniche. How was it to work during the virus?
We completed “Runaways” before COVID-19 hit, but we went back and forth with mixing and tweaking things around before releasing the song. We were able to do all that remotely.
Tell me about the title track “Runaways”
“Runaways” was the last song that I worked on for the new record which ended up being the first single. “Runaways” is a hyper-charged, arena-ready rebellious song about staying true to who you are and having faith in what you believe in. “Runaways” represents individuality, empowerment, transformation, and freedom. It represents burning down the past and present in order to discover something better and new like truth and transformation. Breaking free from all that holds someone back from achieving their full potential including old ways of living, habits, fears, and pressure from society.
Although “Runaways” was written before the COVID-19 stay at home orders, the song is reflective of the chaos and uncertainty we’re all experiencing right now amplified by the protests against racial injustices. “Runaways” is for all those people like me who left something in their past that didn’t allow them to grow and expand. People who question things, want more out of life, and can think for themselves. It also affirms that life, as we know it, will never be the same and by creating a positive change in our lives it pushes us outside of our comfort zone and forces us to discover new ways of being and living. I believe that there is a massive need for people and society to go through a deep evolutionary and revolutionary growth and we can’t continue to go about our lives and turn a blind eye for all this suffering and injustice that happens all the time all over the world. On some level, “Runaways” capture the spirit of those who’ve had enough and want to create a change.
Why did you decide to redo Pat Benatar “Love is a Battlefield” and make it your own?
I always liked Pat Benatar’s voice and music. She’s this rock goddess. I love that song and the lyrics resonate with me. I knew that with a more current sound and my attitude I can capture the song’s rebellious vibes and make it my own.
What is your favorite track on the upcoming album?
I love all of them, especially “Runaways,” “Love Is A Battlefield” and “We Are The One (Angel) “
What are your feelings about streaming music? Digital vs. vinyl?
Well, I’m pretty old-school when it comes to having something physical like a vinyl that has a story behind it. Something that you can touch and pull out and it takes you on a journey in time and space. It also allows an artist to not only be more creative with the packaging and design, but it also can bring more revenue than you get from streaming. But, unfortunately, this is the current environment that we live in. Everything moves so fast with technology. Everyone listens to music and even watches movies and shows on their phones and you can download stuff in a split of a second. Streaming is much cheaper than buying a vinyl. You have to move on with where the industry is going and what is in demand.
You said the following: “I believe that the strength to create peace lies within each and every one of us and we must be the change we wish to see in the world. We have the power to change our reality. I have a vision of a future world, where we are united and people who get affected by the war can cast themselves in the empowering role of creators and potential leaders, as opposed to victims of terrible circumstances.” Has that changed?
I still believe what I said. I believe you took that quote from my documentary ‘Broken Wings.’ I do believe that peace and change start with each and every one of us. First changing and healing internally in order to create the world we want to live in. Every one of us as individuals carries pain and trauma from our past and upbringing. I know from personal experience that when I empowered myself and healed from my past, upbringing, guilt, shame, and everything that was holding me back, I was able to see my greatness and who I truly am. I was able to see what others saw when they looked at me. When I took my personal experiences and everything that I went through and instead of letting it shrink me, I used it as positive fuel to make me a better person and a better artist and inspire others. I was able to heal my ‘Broken Wings’. The road for healing and forgiveness is not easy and it takes time as it contains a lot of pain, anger, and years of suffering. As human beings, we should have compassion towards ourselves and others and allow ourselves to feel and recognize that all those emotions are there, they are part of who we are. You can’t heal and create a better future if you don’t change the cycle of suffering. I think what’s happening in the U.S. was unavoidable. Social change is something that needs to happen. You have people suffering for generations and not given the opportunity to shine and rise to their full potential and then you suppress all that until it explodes in your face. I think people lost faith and trust in their “leaders” and decided to take control of their lives.
I like learning and studying different subjects like psychology and philosophy. Last year I took a history class at the university in order to educate myself about American history. A lot of things raged me and brought me to tears, such as this country’s history with slavery and the pattern of creating a common enemy “The Other” in order to create division and oppression. I think education is a great tool, it takes you out of the emotional body and gets you grounded, aware, and active.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? And what does that song mean to you?
I’m a huge fan of Bjork. I think about her song “Human Behavior.” It’s just summed up human complexity. Also, “All Is Full Of Love” which is the core of everything. Bjork’s music has depth, rawness, expressiveness, and childlike innocence that I admire and am drawn to.
How do you feel the Covid-19 virus is going to affect the music business in the future?
I think people will be able to keep creating and recording in a more intimate setting. I’m not sure how live music and concerts will operate in the future. People love music and the energy of being at a live show. I believe that we will figure out a way to still have live concerts but with precautions. Maybe someone will create some cool creative COVID-19 live concert gear or create specific spacing between people. This is something that we are going to have to learn to live with and adjust to it.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine? Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I used the time to work on the “Runaways” release. I also took an online class. I love cooking so I did that a lot of cooking. Home workouts and have also picked an acoustic guitar.
Lots of people are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. What are you planning to do, if anything?
I’m working on doing a live show from the studio where we recorded “Runaways.” I hope I can manage to get everyone in one room. Or maybe just an acoustic setting.
Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?
I think it will be easier for an established artist to do that, especially if they have a big following that will pay for everything that they do and put out. I’m not sure that it will work for new artists that are trying to establish themselves and their fanbase. There is nothing like live concerts. I’m not a big fan of virtual stuff in general. I like human connection and experiencing life spontaneously at the moment but, as I said before, we’re all going to need to adjust to the current climate.
First, it was an article in the New York Times, then Rolling Stone talked about it, and finally, the Live Nation CEO said that concerts may not start again until the fall of 2021. Do you think this could happen?
I definitely see it happening, as long as they can figure out how to bring back live shows in a way that makes people feel safe.
With social distance being the norm, do you feel that it may be the end of music fests for the next couple of years?
I wouldn’t feel comfortable being at a festival right now and many other people feel the same. I’m hoping that things can change and we can figure out ways to live with this virus in a way that allows us to still enjoy our lives and come together to celebrate one another and music.
What about holographic concerts in our living room?
I heard that they’ve been working on stuff like that for the last few years and with COVID-19 that’s probably speeding the process. As I said, I’m not a fan. I like to experience real things in real-time, but there are people who probably would love it. There is an audience for anything.
How do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself creating more amazing music. Staying creative and building and developing my entertainment /record company, 2Second Skin Entertainment. I want to create more projects like my documentary “Broken Wings” that creates awareness, inspire people, and bridge gaps. Hopefully touring and traveling the world and making all my dreams come true, one step at a time.
Anything you would like to say in closing?
Love and respect yourself. Trust your life, follow your dreams, and your heart’s desires. Be compassionate with yourself and others. Find your life purpose and go for it; let it shine through you. Give and receive love.
And don’t forget to check out my new single “Runaways,” out now everywhere for streaming and downloads, as well as the music video, which is up on my YouTube channel. Make sure to stay connected on social media. Drop a line and let me know what you think about the new single!
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