Social media musician far ahead of time: Who is Kutiman?

Israeli musician Kutiman continues to present his works that emerged after his musical journey to India. We talked about both this India journey and the desert life in Israel with Kutiman, who presented Majan, a product of the same project, to music lovers after his single named Guruji. Continuing his musical productions in his studio in the desert, Kutiman is preparing to sign a techno project soon.

Ophir Kutiel (born April 21, 1982), professionally known as Kutiman, is an Israeli musician, composer, producer and animator. He is best known for creating the online music video project, ThruYOU, a self-titled album, and the viral ongoing series "Thru the City" including his "Mix Tel Aviv" piece, which went viral on YouTube.

Why do you live in the desert?

● I used to live in Tel-Aviv. But I like more natural environments and nature itself. I had visited this place on a date. Frankly, I didn't want to go back again. Then I set up my studio and the small space where he lived. I've been here for nine years. They say desert is hot, but sometimes city centers can be hotter than desert. Of course, high humidity is a problem here.

Many musicians spend certain parts of their lives by the sea or lake. I've also heard of the one living in the forest. But the desert is not unheard of. What is the reason for this choice?

● Actually, this is not a choice. I don't have much choice in the area where I live. Israel is a small country. Living anywhere by the sea is also quite costly. So I had no alternatives in choosing. I just needed to get away from the city. After two months of trying, I decided to stay here.

The time you spent in the studio during the pandemic has obviously increased your productivity. First Guruji and now Majan songs came... I want to start by asking the meaning.

● Guruji means master in Hindi. It is also a reflection of a musical tradition in India. You learn to play any instrument through these gurujis. It's a pretty old tradition.

When I listen to the songs, I can feel the Indian influence. Is this effect a result of your trip to India?

● I had a dream to learn Indian instruments one day. I spent a few months in India in 2017. During this time I learned to play the tabla, the Indian percussion instrument, accompanied by a guruji. He was a well-known teacher in his country, but also gave a good education. We spent most of the day practicing together. It was an unforgettable experience for me and of course it influenced my work.

What similarities or differences did you notice between Indian music and Israeli music?

● I think every music has something similar. There is not much difference between them. Every geography is inevitably influenced and nourished by the music of the places around it. We see that Indian instruments only change form as they go to the West. Sitar in India turns into baglama in Turkey. The layer becomes a darbuka. I think the only difference is in the technique.

You have your signature on all instruments in this project. Why did you choose to do this? Is this a challenge?

● This was just the way I wanted to do the job. But yes, we can say that it was a kind of challenge. Also a bit of curiosity. I love learning new things. Of course, I cannot say that I am a virtuoso in these plays.

So what will happen next? How will this journey continue?

Even my trip to India was not on a plan. So I have no idea how the process will work after that. I am currently working on a techno project. It's going to be a bit of a dark business. But not pessimistic.

Singles and last album

Kutiman combines hypnotic tabla rhythms with synthesizers in his new single "Guruji".

"Guruji", which invites the listener to dance by absorbing it with its mystery, was recorded in Kutiman's studio where he lived in seclusion in the Negev Desert.

The tabla, which gives "Guruji" its mysterious atmosphere, entered Kutiman's life with a traditional Indian music album gifted to him in his youth. The artist, who went to India to learn tabla in 2017, worked there 12 hours a day for two months with Tanmoy Bose, one of the world's leading tabla masters.

Musical nomad Kutiman, inspired by the sounds he encountered during his travels to many parts of the world, plays all the instruments himself without using any samples in “Guruji”. The video of the song, created in Blender, the 3D modeling and animation software, also bears Kutiman's signature.

July 2022

Kutiman has released his new single "My Everything" from his new album Open, which will be released in October after nine years.

Tel Aviv-based musician Kutiman announced his 16th studio album Open, which blends classical soul and psychedelic styles and is preparing for release in October, with his new song “My Everything”. Concentrating on his musical work after nine years, Kutiman reconnects with the society in his world he created with his new album; it embraces its roots and embraces the unknown.