Aviv Geffen

I call the following pair of albums that we will perform in the “Double Moon” concert series “Fireflies,” because the albums Memento Mori and Hollow are truly a pair of fireflies that shine mainly in the dark.

Hollow was written in London, and its release in Israel did not fit at all into the Israeli soundscape of the time—a harsh, cold sound that reflected the music I listened to in London. For my wider audience, it was abrasive, uncommercial, and not soothing. Although the album failed when it was released, over the years it has come to be considered one of my most important albums, because it sowed seeds for the future and gave rise to “Good Morning Iran,” “Superstar,” and more.

Memento Mori is essentially a long, sad silence about the loss of my grandmother, who was a major anchor in my life. I went as far as Denmark, where I shut myself away in a studio on a remote glacier and simply released the pain of my loss. The album deals with our limited time on Earth, which in my view is an insignificant galactic accident within all of infinity. The album gave the audience “Sad Song” and “Tear Salt,” which are performed at many concerts.

There is no one happier than I am to see these fireflies flying around us, even if only for one evening.

With love,
Aviv

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