Israeli musician Sivan Langer has long stood at the intersection of emotion and experimentation, and with his latest release “Simple Song”, he ventures further into that delicate space. A stripped-back and sonically introspective offering, the track feels like his most laidback and spacious work yet, a blend of psychedelic rock with subtle stoner rock aesthetics that sits gently but powerfully in the ears. More than just a song, it serves as a thoughtful pause, a chapter-closing moment on his broader journey through Rough Mix, an album forged in both internal and external turbulence.
Pulling from a deep well of inspiration—art, nature, cinema, and the chaos of everyday life, Langer has cultivated a sound that resists easy categorization. His music lives in the grey spaces, shaped not just by style but by the narrative at its heart. “I wrote Simple Song because I was going through a period of depression and just feeling negativity from about every aspect of life,” he shares. “In these moments, people tend to go to their place of security, which for me is music, words, and songwriting.” That vulnerability and authenticity permeate every second of the track.
Langer’s introduction to songwriting wasn’t born from academia or formal training but rather the desire to create. Starting a band with school friends sparked a deep curiosity, especially for the gritty tones of ‘90s rock and grunge. Over time, his palette expanded to include jazz and experimental genres, always chasing the feeling and the concept behind the sound as much as the sound itself.
That pursuit continued into the creation of his debut album Rough Mix, an ambitious project completed under no shortage of obstacles. With few resources, Langer taught himself the fundamentals of sound engineering, electronics, and acoustics. The result is a fully DIY record, both intimate and expansive, reflective of the terrain he’s had to cross to bring his vision to life.
From the Galilee in northern Israel, Langer worked in a studio situated in a conflict zone, where moments of peace were uncertain and often fleeting. Yet, amid political unrest and personal lows, he found resilience in music. His commitment to creating—even in the face of war, depression, and scarcity—became a lifeline. Rough Mix is more than just a debut; it’s a declaration of intent from an artist who refuses to let circumstance dictate creativity.
“Simple Song” distills this entire journey into one meditative breath—quiet but unwavering. It is the sound of survival, of growth, and of staying grounded through turbulence. In a world full of noise, Langer has offered up something raw, unfiltered, and deeply human.
Catch the interview with Sivan Langer below.
“Simple Song” has a raw, sparse, and experimental feel. How did you approach its composition and production differently from your other work?
“Simple Song” was different from other pieces. Most tracks were about two minutes. Longer tracks call for more improvisation naturally. I wanted a track that breathes more in the album and preserve space for a guitar solo and a twing of experimentation.
You mentioned writing “Simple Song” during a period of depression. How did the process of making music help you navigate those emotions?
Music is a safe place for me. When I feel down, I listen to happy uplifting music, and it brings me back to balance, sometimes silly songs by bands like Madness and the like. But also, appreciating and giving space for negative feelings can be healing. That’s the notion of the movement in this piece.
Your music draws from a diverse range of inspirations—art, nature, cinema. Can you share a specific non-musical influence that deeply shaped “Rough Mix”?
Yeah, I had this image of music underwater that I think a lot. The environment, also known as the space, impacts the way we experience sound. In Simple Song, the guitars sounded a little dull, a little boring to me. So I thought, why wouldn’t I create the guitars sound as if they are under the water, and I played with effects until it sounded pretty different than what you usually hear as a recorded guitar.
The DIY spirit is a major part of your journey. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while producing “Rough Mix” on your own?
I had to fix an amp and some amp guy tried to demonstrate his chops, which weren’t that impressive other than the loudness. As a result, I had to go everywhere with earplugs for a couple of months. You should be really careful about these types of people and behaviors when you are becoming a pro at anything, not only music.
Growing up in the Galilee, how did your surroundings shape your sound and artistic perspective?
The Galilee is a beautiful place, and you learn to appreciate nature. I love the nature from my childhood. Lots of this love comes from being so close to the outdoors, and nature is a part of it in your living environment.
Your music blends classic rock, punk, jazz, and experimental elements. Do you find yourself gravitating toward any particular style more these days?
I am more into modern rock than I used to be, but I don’t think my next album will use a click track. The music needs to breathe. My father had friends with a collection of music boxes and they never lost the timing, but they weren’t very compelling emotionally.
You’ve worked in a warzone environment. How did the geopolitical instability impact your creative process and your ability to focus on music?
It was not a pleasant experience. I could not really record or distribute my music. Distributing is still really hard. You can’t compete with the craziness of the news. In that sense, I want to be the stable ground for my listeners away from that. Like people used to go to movies to forget their troubles for the evening.
Was there a particular moment or experience that made you realize music would be your place of security and expression?
I had many moments that kind of pushed me toward music. I have a bit of dysgraphia, so the abstract nature of music is more convenient. But my experience with the form of music is very harmonic. I like to listen to almost everything. And I like to be open to different approaches than the conventions that usually being taught at art and music schools.
You started your musical journey with 90s rock and grunge. Are there any specific albums or artists from that era that you still return to for inspiration?
Nevermind by Nirvana drew me into that, and then we discovered a lot of other bands and music styles like Faith No More and Velvet Underground. I love Lou Reed. I think about other musicians sometimes, it’s like a family.
The themes of your music seem deeply personal yet universally relatable. What do you hope listeners take away from “Simple Song” and “Rough Mix”?
That you can do your thing, and it’s fine to be different from the norm. That there is probably a solution to your problem. And you should establish your vision, and don’t listen so much to the naysayers. You have more information than anyone else about yourself. But most advices are just bad, any advice could be bad in the wrong context, so I try not to give advices.
As an independent artist, what are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry, especially for DIY musicians like yourself?
I think indies are the future. I see labels turn into management companies. Labels used to be a producing entity. But in today’s market, many good producers are independent. Some artists are independent. Like painters, when you have all the paint boards and painting colors, you don’t need much more than that for the creative aspect.
What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects, collaborations, or directions you’re excited to explore?
Yes! I am finishing the demos for my next album. It doesn’t have a name yet. It will be a bit grungier, but I don’t think I can do just one genre, at least not now. So other influences will probably occur, in a track, a chord progression, or a melody. Hard to tell, because from the demos stage, you can take it anywhere.
Connect with Sivan Langer via:
Website // Instagram // Facebook // Spotify
