Photo by: David Goldshtein

Brainheart, the moniker of independent music producer, songwriter and DJ Roi Zohar a.k.a Brainheart, found global success when his debut single Explore The World was a massive success, wrapping up over 3 Million streams on Spotify and over 530,000 reels on Instagram. Exposed to classical music at the age of four, Brainheart was inspired to play piano at fifteen without knowing DJing and music production would influence his life ever since. Having struggled in the school system, music started as a way to distract himself from school struggles but quickly became much more than that. 

His latest single Close To You, featuring the dreamy vocals of singer-songwriter Anica, finds the talented artist continuing to showcase his producing skills by delivering a dreamy piece of EDM perfect to be the soundtrack of one's summer holidays. I was lucky enough to get a chance to ask him a few questions so we can get to know him a little better. Check it out below! 

 

How did you get started in music production, and what inspired you to pursue it as a career?

Photo by: David Goldshtein
My first exposure to music was at the age of four. That’s because my mom used to listen to classical and orchestral music. I fell in love with all the instruments, especially the piano, violin, and cello. What is fascinating about music is that it’s a universal language and connects people from all over the world. Over the years, I fell in love with more genres, especially EDM. I remember the first time I watched the Tomorrowland Festival, and I was hooked. I struggled severely in the school system and felt that I was wasting my time. I taught myself how to play piano at the age of 15, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I still have a lot to learn, and I am getting better every day. Music started as a way to distract myself from struggles at school and social life, but it quickly became much more than that. A year later, I started creating music and knew I had found my purpose. Everything I have done in my life and chosen to do in my life has revolved around music and following my dreams. All I want to do is be an example of perseverance and strength. I’m so grateful for everything I have been able to accomplish and know that this is just the very beginning for me still. I’ve had the privilege of touching millions of people’s hearts with my music, and I know that one day I’ll be extremely successful. Nothing makes my heart explode with love and light more than sharing my music with the world and having it accepted with open arms.

What is your creative process like when producing music, and how do you come up with new ideas?

99% of the time, I start with the melody. I improvise on the piano until I find a good melody and chord progression. Then I start producing and adding synths, guitars, violins, cellos, rhythms, etc. I always collaborate with other singers because, unfortunately, I can’t sing; my voice is terrible. So, I find amazing singers on social media or music platforms. I get inspiration from so many things, but I think the most powerful sources of inspiration come from traveling, movies, and music festivals/concerts.

Can you describe your signature style, and how do you differentiate yourself from other producers/DJs in the industry?

I can’t define my music by genre because I always love to experiment with different sounds and styles of music. I produce mainly EDM, but I love pop, soft-rock, and acoustic songs. My goal is to create a versatile and interesting catalog. I don’t want to create repetitive music with the same sounds and structure. In the past, I always created EDM, but now I am more open-minded to try different things, techniques, and genres. It’s difficult to learn those techniques but it’s so interesting and challenging, I just love it! I want to surprise myself and my listeners by taking them on an interesting musical journey. I do my best to create emotional music and interesting melodies with strong and meaningful lyrics (no matter the genre).

Your 2019 song "Explore The World" went to be a massive success. How did it feel to have a viral song, and what was your initial reaction to the sudden attention and recognition that came with it? How did you manage the success and attention, and what did you learn from that experience?

This song holds such a special place in my heart. It means the world to me, especially because I wrote it with my amazing and talented sister. It was a pleasure working with her; the process was fun and happened naturally. The process of "Explore The World" was different because 3 years ago my sister traveled to the Philippines, I told her that I want to create a travel song and release it when she gets back home. She wrote the verse and sent it to me, I fell in love with it and wrote the chorus. When she came back home we finished the vocals literally in 30 minutes. I produced, mixed, and mastered the track and we released it at the end of 2019. This is the first song I have ever released, and I never expected it to be huge. The song started to take off only a year after I released it. People started using it on their Instagram videos, and it went viral. I never thought that my debut song would go viral! This song touches so many people, and I am extremely grateful for that. It’s been a cool thing to see the message in the song have such a profound impact on people. I was in such a strange place in life when this song came out. The success of this song gave me confidence. It made me believe I am good enough and that I must continue no matter what.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your career, and how have you overcome them?

Mental health is the biggest challenge for me. I mean some days I am at rock bottom, and some days I feel on top of the world. A lot of musicians have mental health issues. When I say “I need a break” it has never been and never will be from making music, it’s from all the things outside the creative process. I am transparent with how I feel because I know that people need people. And in this world filled with so many emotions, circumstances, and experiences, it’s ok to feel everything at once or nothing at all. Luckily making music isn’t draining me or distracting me from working on my mental health, it’s guiding me. I always remind myself that right when you think that you’ve hit rock bottom, maybe look up & see that you were just falling in reverse this whole time. And everything plays out the way it should.Trust your instincts, trust the universe, and light will come. Today I feel good. I feel strong, motivated, hopeful, and grateful. But I also feel tired, my body is sore, I have a lot of things on my plate right now, and life feels like it’s just speeding right on by without any control. I’m always planning, anticipating, and preparing for the future sometimes I don’t even realize what I have been waiting for is here right in front of me.


How do you manage your time and prioritize your projects as a music producer/DJ?

Unfortunately, I can’t perform yet so I am concentrating on producing new songs.

What advice would you give aspiring music producers/DJs who are just starting out in the industry?

Photo by: David Goldshtein
Always remember that life is fragile, and we only live once. We don’t have to obey. We don’t have to conform to an ideology that is placed upon our shoulders just because someone says so. No matter who you are, you can have a voice, and you can have a say. You can break the rules. Dare to dream big and set your goals high. Every time you fail, you come one step closer to success. I know it sounds crazy, but this is the truth. The world works in mysterious ways. If you have any plans or tiny little ideas in your head of who you want to be, where you want to go, or what you want to do, just make your own rules, don’t take no for an answer, listen to your gut, and have endless belief in yourself. The prize is the fulfillment of reaching your destiny. And your destiny is the most important thing. Trust the process, have faith in the future, and trust life.

What are your future goals and plans for your music career, and how do you hope to evolve as an artist over time?

The biggest goal is to get an artist visa; I really want to move to the US. It’s very complicated, but I believe that one day I’ll get it. I believe that I will have many more opportunities there to develop my music career. So, the plan is to keep making music and touching people’s hearts and souls. My songs are a testament to my boundless creativity, with each track carefully crafted to explore the depths of my emotion and human experience. I take pride in being a passionate advocate for mental health and self-care, using my platform to promote positive messages and encourage my supporters to prioritize their own well being. I want to keep growing my socials and fanbase. I want to evolve and become a better version of myself – as a musician and as a person.

Are you currently working on new music, and if so, what can your fans expect from your upcoming releases? Are there any particular themes or styles that you are exploring in your new work?

I am working on new music and can’t wait to share these songs with the world. I am working on Electronic, Acoustic, Pop, and Electronic Rock projects with extremely talented singers.

If you were given the chance to pick an artist to collaborate with, which one would you choose and why?

Honestly, my wishlist is huge so I'll give you just 7 artists... I wish I could work with Coldplay, Onerepublic, Ed Sheeran, Adelle, The Script, Tori Kelly, or Dermot Kennedy. I love them so much, each artist has a piece in my heart and their songs changed my life heavily.

What was the first album you ever bought?

The Script - The Script.

What music are you currently listening to?

I listen to so many genres and am always open to new sounds. So many artists and bands inspire me. Artists and bands like Coldplay, ILLENIUM, The Script, Martin Garrix, Labrinth, Ed Sheeran, Bad Omens, Bring Me The Horizon, Hans Zimmer, Said The Sky, Dabin, and more.

If you were given the chance to choose one summer festival to headline, which one would it be and why?

Tomorrowland because this festival made me fall in love with EDM. 5 years ago I went to Tomorrowland as a raver and it was amazing. That would be crazy to headline a festival that I attended in the past as a raver.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life which one would it be and why?

Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto because this album saved my life and changed the way I approach music. In my opinion Coldplay is not a band, it's a feeling.