Pigeon Spins Featuring an Interview with Yuvi Gerstein

Yuvi Gerstein - Cells

"Cells" by Yuvi Gerstein is a testament to his diverse influences, drawing inspiration from iconic artists such as The Gorillaz, Radiohead, Otis Redding, and more. Each track in the album is a reflection of Gerstein's personal experiences, from the poignant title song "Cells," inspired by the loss of his mother in 2013, to introspective pieces like "Don't ask much," "Feel lighter," and "In Lines" that delve into themes of relationships and disappointment. This album represents a culmination of Gerstein's musical journey, encapsulating his unique sound and profound storytelling, making it a must-listen for music enthusiasts seeking authentic and resonant compositions.

Yuvi Gerstein, is a multi-talented music guitarist and producer who has poured a decade of passion and creativity into his latest original album, "Cells." This highly anticipated release features collaborations with esteemed musicians such as Roy Young, whose soulful vocals shine on the track "Stray Dogs," and Priscilla Andersohn, whose haunting field recording samples add a unique depth to the song "All day all night." With a stellar lineup including Beno Hendler, Shahar Haziza, Ori Winokur, and Kosine, along with mastering by Asaf Shay and mixing by Yuvi Gerstein himself, "Cells" promises to be a subtle but meaningful musical feat.

What was the process like turning such intimate experiences like the loss of your mother into music?

I wrote the songs about my mom and that whole period close to the events, meaning around 2013-2014, so it was still raw and fresh. I put them in a digital drawer and didn’t think they were worthy of an album, or just felt too much pain to deal with them at the time. That’s part of the reason it took so long to produce and release. I guess I needed that time distance to be able to take that raw expression and turn it into finished songs in an album.

How do influences ranging from The Gorillaz to Otis Redding come together in your sound on this album?

At the risk of sounding pretentious, I am the music I absorbed as a child and teenager. I loved listening to Jazz, Hip Hop, Folk and more, so I was quite diverse in my tastes. I grew up in the 90s, so I didn’t have the distractions we have today, and took a lot of time listening to albums over and over again. I feel it all blended into my own style, which I can now say is completely mine, even though it is still evolving as I grow.

What changed for you musically or personally over the decade it took to shape Cells?

It took me that decade to gain the confidence to release my music and be proud of its sound, its flaws and what it expresses. Looking back, I needed that time to be a bit removed from the events that took place, and to hone my skills as a producer and mixer. In the past two years I feel much more complete and ready to stand behind what I release and produce. I still think if I hadn’t been so self critical, I might have released 4 albums by now, but that’s my reality and I must accept it.

How did the collaborations with Roy Young and Priscilla Andersohn come about and what did they add to the songs?

I met Priscilla in the UK when I was studying at Goldsmiths University. She’s a wonderful musician, singer, and friend. I had a meaningful experience, spending Christmas 2012 with her and her lovely family out in the country in the UK. That Christmas eve, we went out for a walk in the open fields and she started improving a beautiful melody and lyrics. I recorded it right there, and that’s the same recording that’s on the album. It resonated and I can still remember that moment vividly when I listen to the song today.

Roy Young is a soulful singer, I have known him for years, but hadn’t had the chance to work with him until now. He came into my studio and sang the song “Stray Dogs”, which he was perfect for. I adjusted the key so it fits his raspy experienced voice and I’m so glad he’s on it. He brings his deep soul and love to this song.

What was your vision for the overall sound and how did you achieve it through mixing and mastering?

I studied music formally for years, but when I became a producer, I tried to “forget” what I had learned and just do what feels and especially sounds best to my ears and taste. As you grow and gain experience, you learn that the gear and techniques don’t matter as much as being able to capture the emotions, capture the sound in the moment. It might sound a bit cliche, but I truly believe that and I have quite a few years of experience in studios, as an owner and as a session player. I did learn a lot about mixing, but mostly from experience and watching other engineers I admire. I think each mixer/producer created a different sound and I’m happy with the sound I create. I do want to improve in many ways, but there are the next albums for that.

Do you find songwriting to be more of a cathartic process or are you writing with listeners’ experiences in mind?

I write for myself. It’s about expressing what I feel or saying something to someone close. If it’s honest, it will connect, but I don’t write with an audience in mind.

How did you balance the contributions of musicians like Beno Hendler, Shahar Haziza, Ori Winokur, and Kosine with keeping the album true to your own voice?

I love and appreciate every one of the musicians who took part in the album. Shahar and Beno, on Drums and Bass are one unit as far as I’m concerned. They are such sensitive musicians, I was able to trust them to do a great job without hesitations. Ori Winokur is my best friend and was my partner in both Coolooloosh (our band) and a recording studio we owned for 7 years. I’m glad some of his fairy dust is in the album. Kosine is a master producer and Grammy winner, whom I met in 2022 and was very lucky to be able to work with. He’s an incredible producer and person.I wasn’t worried about my own voice on the album, since I wrote all the songs and felt comfortable with all my collaborators.

What does the title Cells represent for you beyond the personal story tied to your mother’s passing?

The songs are kind of like cells to me. They each have their own function and space, but they come together to become something whole, which is the album. I also feel that the metaphor of cells slowly duplicating, causing harm in the long run, but they’re still part of you, is very strong. It represents time and the ultimate decay of humans, who always have a hard time to accept it. It was very appropriate as an album title.

How do you approach blending technical skill with emotional storytelling in your music?

When it comes to songs with lyrics, I write them first, on a guitar or piano, and only then think of the technical skills and production needed to best serve the song. So it's an emotional expression first for those. For the instrumentals, it might come from a melody or a groove I like. In that sense it’s a bit different, as the focus is on the musical expression rather than storytelling with words.

What do you hope listeners take away from Cells when they first press play?

I want listeners to leave with feelings and questions, not answers. If someone hears it and says, “I have a lot of questions, let’s talk,” that’s the best outcome for me.

What's next after this album?

Releasing this album feels like a weight lifted. I’m already diving into new projects with musicians like Dina Kitrossky and Roy Young, and I plan to share new music within the year.

What's your Hot Take - your most controversial music opinion?

“As a musician, If your goal is just to relive the past, you’re cheating yourself out of discovery.”

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