Exclusive Interview: Eyal Erlich

Feature

13 Nov

With his new single “Sentimental Magic Cape,” Tel Aviv-based songwriter Eyal Erlich threads together punk energy, lyrical sensitivity, and a timeless rock ‘n’ roll soul — crafting something that feels both nostalgic and boldly present.

Every lyric lands with a weight that feels lived-in, a product of years observing the chaos of love and the slow reconciliation that follows.

“Sentimental Magic Cape” feels like a spell cast in a mirror — part self-defense, part self-acceptance. Beneath the power chords and percussive swagger lies something deeply human.

You can hear shades of the ’70s melodic rock troubadours, but also a distinctly modern consciousness — a refusal to hide behind irony or excess. His words sting with humor one moment and sincerity the next, proving that introspection can still rock just as hard as rebellion.

What makes Erlich’s work stand out isn’t nostalgia — it’s continuity. He doesn’t imitate the greats of rock’s golden age; he extends their language into the 21st century. His influences — Lennon’s tenderness, Costello’s bite, Springsteen’s cinematic grit — run deep, but his delivery is all his own. There’s a worn-in intimacy to his tone, like a storyteller who’s seen both sides of heartbreak and lived to sing about it.

In a musical world chasing trends, Eyal Erlich moves in the opposite direction: slower, deeper, truer. His songs aren’t polished to death — they breathe. They ache. They shimmer like the truth at closing time.

Following the single, Erlich’s Live Sessions at Tel Aviv’s Levontin capture that same magic in its rawest form — a man, a guitar, a story unfolding under dim lights. These stripped-down performances strip away everything but emotion, drawing comparisons to the great confessional performers — from Jeff Buckley to Nick Drake — artists whose songs aren’t performed so much as revealed.

“Sentimental Magic Cape” isn’t just a song — it’s a statement of artistic identity. It’s Erlich showing the armor he wears and the heart still beating beneath it. As he readies his debut LP, this single stands as a perfect prologue: a declaration that authenticity still matters, that great songwriting still moves mountains, and that rock’s golden flame still burns brightest in the hands of those brave enough to keep it alive.

We spoke to Eyal Erlich about his journey so far.

Hi Eyal, do you have an interesting moment or story from your early life that has had a significant impact on your journey into music? 

Eyal Erlich: I think being cast in a non-singing role in an opera production as a young kid is what comes up. I really enjoyed it, and I was totally drawn into that world, listening to that kind of music, and researching the history behind it. It’s really far from what I do today, but I loved the richness of that music, and the depth of that emotion, things I still relate to today and try to express through my writing.

Are there any artists that were influential to your musical journey? How have they inspired your sound as an artist?

Eyal Erlich: I feel most influential were the Beatles, they were the first real band I listened to, and really to this day the only band I got myself fully into and know most of their songs. They’ve inspired me melodically in my writing style, and just the overall attitude they brought performing live. They were outstanding writers and performers, and had a really balanced social tapestry which made its way into their music as well. With the different energies of John and Paul, George who brought his unique quieter introspective vibe, and of course Ringo who kept things simple, fun and in perfect groove and time. So they complemented each other in more ways than one, and it showed in their music. It’s no wonder most of the bands that came later have unanimously cited them as big inspirations.

How would you describe your sound to new listeners? What do you think sets you apart?

Eyal Erlich: Everyone has their own set of ears, heart and mind. And whatever I’d say, they would receive it differently than comes out of my system. I can just say I try to do my best to convey my human experience, and I try to connect with whoever’s out there. I strive for realness, rather than acceptance or understanding. And I hope it meets the real in you.

What’s your creative process? Where do you normally start when it comes to writing and recording? Do the lyrics come first?

Eyal Erlich: Usually it’s the music that comes first, I really enjoy writing melodies. And then the lyrics make their way. Sometimes its the other way around, and sometimes they come to me at the same time. It’s a great release, the writing process. Sometimes it can feel like something you needed to get off your shoulders, and sometimes it’s like a journey venturing into the abyss of your soul and barely making at back alive.

Have you had any challenges or adversities in your life that you feel have shaped you as an artist?

Eyal Erlich: Definitely.. I don’t think there really exists a person alive who doesn’t go through these life shaping experiences. They become part of who you are, and that becomes naturally part of the fabric of your music. To name a few, that would be childhood experiences of feeling out of place and unseen and misunderstood, and going into adult experiences of love and loss.. I touch on those and more in a lot of my music.

Are there any moments or achievement from your career so far that you’re most proud of?

Eyal Erlich: Yes. Not giving up. It’s a constant daily achievement. The commitment to better refine my instrument and my message. I can feel proud at times that I’m still at it, and with a lot of passion as well.

Which do you prefer, the creative process or live performance? Or do you enjoy both equally?

Eyal Erlich: The creative process is a more introverted passage, and it has come easier and more natural to me. I really enjoy it, and I wish I had more time to write. That being said, performing is something I’ve always enjoyed as well, it has just come harder for me. Both stage presence wise, and both just perfecting my playing and singing craft. I try to get those as good as I can, I don’t want to write a good song and not do it justice performing it. So I integrate the internal creative process in the practice I do to get better at performing, and it has become a lot more natural to me in time.

Do you as an artist require fans to fully understand your message in each song or do you encourage subjective interpretation from every listener?

Eyal Erlich: Not at all. Because everyone hears what they need to hear, and there never is just one message. If I had something in mind, and the song hits hard with someone elsewhere, that fills me up with joy as well as opening up my own mind. The songs are much wiser than my intentions, so similarly like writing a song I go into a type of surrender and let music and lyrics come from a place beyond me, so is releasing the music an act of surrender. I don’t know how or when or who it will impact, but trust I’ll be out there doing my best to get that out there.

Does the political landscape have an impact on your music, or do you keep your personal opinions separate from your work as an artist?

Eyal Erlich: So far I haven’t really written many political lyrics, but I don’t have any concrete plans myself for or against that. I just do what moves me the most.

What are your future plans? Any new songs/projects on the horizon?

Eyal Erlich: Yeah, there are tons of new songs, I hope to get them out soon. My debut album should be out later on next year. And currently I’m doing a lot of touring in Israel, and plan to tour abroad next year as well. Hopefully, somewhere near you!

“Sentimental Magic Cape - Live” is available now on all major streaming platforms