"We received hate messages": The new reality of Lola Marsh abroad | Listen
Yael Cohen from Lola Marsh tells in an interview with 103FM about the tour that was cut short by the coronavirus, the hate messages, and the message they received from partners abroad: "Keep a low profile." Meanwhile, the band is working on a new album and is expected to perform at the Smilansky Festival.
The Smilansky Festival in Be'er Sheva will be held this summer for the 21st year, featuring a lineup of well-known artists including Nunu, Jimbo J, Shimi Tavori, and Yehuda Keisar, alongside emerging creators.
One of the notable participants is Yael Cohen Shoshana, a member of the duo Lola Marsh, who spoke with Iris Kol on 103FM about the upcoming festival and the complex reality facing Israeli artists who have spent years building international careers.
At the start of Lola Marsh's journey, everything seemed to be moving in the right direction. "Before the coronavirus, our album had just been released and we had a massive 30-show tour, but we were brought back to Israel on literally the last flight," Cohen Shoshana recalled.
The pandemic, followed by the outbreak of war, shifted the band's priorities. "We were in complete shock. Writing songs now, and in English?" she said.
According to her, in the period following the start of the war, the band members felt their place was in Israel:
"We felt we were needed here in the country, to raise morale and be with the families of the hostages. It was important for us to be present, to sing for the families, and to attend demonstrations."
One of the most poignant moments during this period was working on the song "Elin," written in memory of a victim of the Nova festival. "Elin's mother wrote the lyrics for us and asked us to compose the melody; what an amazing girl she was," she said.
"Keep a low profile"
The change was not felt only in Israel. The attitude toward Israeli artists overseas has become increasingly complex since the war began. "We spoke with many of our partners abroad who advised us to 'keep a low profile for a moment and let's get through this'," Cohen Shoshana explained.
Alongside support and sympathy, other types of reactions surfaced. "There were many messages, both good and bad, and we even received hate messages," she said. The new reality, she noted, forced the band to make adjustments. "You have to understand the reality and make such changes," she admitted.
Despite the difficulties, Lola Marsh continues to create and is already working on their next chapter. "An album will be released soon," promised Cohen Shoshana. "We were literally buried in the studio, and I really love this album."
Meanwhile, she is set to take part in the upcoming Smilansky Festival in Be'er Sheva, alongside a long list of veteran and young artists, at a time when for Israeli musicians, the very act of returning to the stage — both in Israel and abroad — is no longer taken for granted.
