Interviews: Neolia

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Metal/Rock band, Neolia from Israel. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Tomer: We were on a mission at some point to finally find a name and so we put our thinking hats on along with searching the web, and finally, after a nerve-wracking competition the name ‘Neolia’ was chosen after receiving the highest score. The name Neolia originated from the psychological term Neolelia which was on a psychology-related website. The term Neolelia is equivalent to the term echolalia, which is a mental disorder in which an individual invents words that don’t exist, but that same person is certain that everyone around him understands him completely. We feel that we have created some sort of a unique language of our own and felt an instant connection to the word but at the same time tried to come up with a more easy-to-digest version for it.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

This was definitely not planned. Neolia to me was a long detained creativity burst that ended up becoming what it is today. Growing up I kept coming across different music types, and I know it is a bit strange, but every style I encountered held a relatable emotion or impact on me. I guess like every other kid I was holding different emotions inside me and so every piece of music or style felt like a part of me as well. I played so many music genres in my life and at some point I felt an urge to combine them with my love of Rock and Metal.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Tomer: No. The group, even when it wasn’t identified as Neolia and was just a sort of a test drive to see what can be created of it, was constantly changing and shaping along the way. Tomer and former guitarist Ron Minis were jamming in Ron’s living room which was downstairs from a rehearsal studio when they accidentally heard Ben Reiss’s screams and decided they had to go upstairs and present themselves. The rest of the current band members are relatively new but Ben knew our current guitarist, Guy. The two were musician friends from teenagehood and played in another band called IBAM. Almost a decade since they last met, Neolia was in search of a new bandmate.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Ben: The Sound of Animals Fighting

Inbar: Dream Theater

Guy: Radiohead

Yair: Metallica

Tomer: If I had to answer this I would probably go insane.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Tomer: Having Neolia as my outlet inspires me, as it is a life’s journey, and also acts as a way to connect with other people’s emotions. Writing to me is a way of reaching out to others from within myself, it’s as if I took something from within myself and allowed others to relate to it, and maybe not feel as alone. I don't feel the need to write for myself, it has to be for others.

6. Where was your last gig?

Ben: Last time we performed live was in The Chevrolet, Hulon. 90% of the crowd were teenagers, which was a unique experience. Considering the fact it’s not our usual listeners, the connection with the young crowd clicked right away. For moments it felt like we were performing in front of our younger selves.

7. Where would you like to act?

Inbar: Just out of the top of my head I would say Download Festival. It has a variety of Rock and Metal genre-based bands, and at the moment feels the most natural for us to blend in. We are modest people and understand our current place at the moment, but we are not afraid to pursue our goals, and Download Fest is definitely one of them.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Everyone: Definitely Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Mastodon, Tool, Deftones, Circa Survive, Opeth, Periphery, System of a Down, Devin Thousand, Haken, Karnivool, Metallica, He Is Legend, The Sound of animals fighting, Incubus.

9. Have any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Of course, we had... It is actually still present. I guess you learn to live with it and enjoy it. Some years ago, I missed the excitement, and went all over the place, up to the point I exhausted myself even before getting up on stage. But with time I developed my own habits that balance my state of mind. It’s somewhere between stretches and breathing exercises, activities that keep your mind fresh, positive, not too calm, and not too hyped... Just focus on what you wish to experience.

10. What bands have inspired you the most?

When Neolia first formed and recruited some very different people, everyone brought their own influences. Some of us heard a lot of Art Rock, Noise Rock, and experimental music, while others were exploring realms of Flamenco and Ethiopian music... But eventually, when we drive in the car to concerts we sing along with He Is Legend, Incubus, or Radiohead.

11. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

The weirdest thing we ever got asked is to perform in an elementary school for 5th and 6th graders. Tomer was teaching guitar to a few brothers, and a very special connection was formed with the children’s mother through Neolia’s music, so at some point, she asked Tomer if he would like to bring the band over to the school to play some songs, and so we came and performed there and it was pretty amazing and the kids were rocking and dancing along.

12. What do you think of your fans?

We love the fact that our crowd is varied, with ages and spread across Israel and the world, composed of different groups with different interests. But what is mutual to all of them, is that they are fascinating people, very brave, curious, and supportive. It, of course, inspires us to go further with our vision and sharpen our intentions.

13. What do you think of our site?

We think it’s a brilliant idea, to have musicians writing and exposing the ideas behind the musical means. That brings the fans to an even closer connection with their favorite musicians.

14. Something to add?

We would like to thank you, for creating this platform, and wish us all musicians, audience, and space holders (such as a website like this) our best wishes to keep on creating fruit with what we love.