Sasha Daniel is a gifted Russian-Israeli musician, actress, and mental health advocate. She uses her creative talents to explore inwardly as well as create a dialogue about sensitive issues such as love and relationships, vulnerability, and mental illness. Sasha has been writing music for years, using her unique life experiences of living and traveling around the world as inspiration. She spent two years touring across New York, the Mid-West, southern United States, Israel, and Canada until she moved back to Tel Aviv and began producing her own songs. Jejune sat down with Sasha to discuss her new EP and her volunteer work with the Non Profit Organization Latet.

Where are you based?
I'm currently based in Tel Aviv.

When did you develop your passion for singing and songwriting?
My parents are both musicians. And I started singing and writing lyrics when I was very young. I started composing my own songs around the age of 20 - relatively later in life, and it's because I never properly studied music. But at some point, I realized you don't need to KNOW music in order to write songs and at the same time, I just didn't want other people to write music to my lyrics. It felt weird to me.

You have a new song coming out soon called “Already Freed”. Can you tell us a little bit about this new song?
”Already Freed” is a little different from the other songs I've released last year. It's very mellow and the lyrics and melody are totally in the center. No beats or big production. I wanted to create a feeling of repetitive thoughts with that repetitive chores progression. It's a song about my relationship with my partner and about the decision of not having kids.

You recently released a new EP on Spotify called “Too Much Information”, what is the inspiration behind this title?
The title “Too Much Information” was born out of listening to my own music, the production, and the lyrics. These songs are very intimate and also there are a lot of elements in the production so it all felt very exposed and even overwhelming at times so it was only appropriate to call the EP T.M.I.

Your rhythmic song “Above Water” is about battling depression, is that something that you have struggled with in the past? What do you want your audience to get from this song?
I think we all struggle with some sort of depression or anxiety at one point or the other in life. I really do believe it's not extraordinary. I think that as a society it's important to normalize the subject so that everyone feels supported and understood. The more we talk about it and share art about it, the braver and less alone other people will feel. There are many tools today to deal with these issues - we just need to help each other and be open about it.

“What Is A Mistake” is a song about freedom of choice, what inspired this song?
”What Is A Mistake” is a song that's very dear to my heart. So many people think they know what's best for us and it feels to me that they see the world as black and white. Like there is ONLY good or bad. So many times I've heard questions about my decisions and if I think they were good or bad. But life is complex and big and full of colors. That's where the song came from. It's me asking all those people "What is a mistake? One's crowned for an action, another burnt at the stake" - I'm really trying to have a dialogue.

Do you feel that serving in the Israeli Army has had any influence on your music?
I don't think that my service influenced my music. I was actually a singer in the Army and all I sang was covers, of course in Hebrew... :) It was a job in a way. A job I liked but still a job. I was very fortunate to have this kind of service.

Your music addresses topics such as mental health, open relationships, and prochoice. Why do you feel it is important to write music about these issues?
I write about everything that's important to me. I write about the things I believe in and the subjects I explore. It's not like I sit down and say: OK, now I'm going to write a song about an important subject. I write because I feel strongly about something and I believe that writing about the things that are on your mind gives you a different perspective, puts light in different corners of the heart, and helps me and other people to not feel alone in the world.

One big recurring theme in your music is freedom. Can you tell us a little bit about this?
We all want to be free. But freedom means different things to different people. I understand I'm very privileged to live the life I live and supposedly I have everything at my disposal. But it's really unbelievable how sometimes we feel trapped inside our own heads, our beliefs, or other people's beliefs. So I explore that. I question my own belief system and change things if I feel that something inhibits me from being free. It's never-ending.

Jejune loves that you are currently volunteering at Latet, a NGO that combats poverty and food insecurity in Israel. Can you tell us more about your work with the organization, and why you choose to work with them?
Latet is dealing with one of the most basic human needs. They make sure nobody stays hungry. At least they try. It's very hard to get to everyone because we never know about everyone. During the beginning of Covid, when the first lockdown began, so many people joined Latet and all we did was bring food to different people and families who don't have enough or can't leave their homes because of their age. I joined because it's a great organization. So many of us take food for granted but for many people it's not. Not only that, so much food is being wasted but Latet does everything in order to make sure that the food is being saved and can save others.

What is it like to volunteer during this time? How has COVID impacted the poor in Israel?
Volunteering during this time actually feels great. There are more and more volunteers because people are starting to realize they can't count on the authorities or the government —not just here. It happens in many places around the world. So there is a stronger sense of community. The poor stay poor and the rich stay rich. That's how it goes. But people really help each other.

You have also worked with Holocaust survivors in the past. These people are at the most dangerous age for COVID. How is Israel working to keep these people safe?
Unfortunately, the subject of holocaust survivors is not being treated well in Israel. Non-profit organizations deliver food and medicine and try to make their lives a bit better and less lonely. These people are old, most of them don't have families, they have many issues and the government really left them behind. This is a big problem here in Israel and it is heartbreaking. But there are people who volunteer with holocaust survivors and even dedicate their lives to it.

COVID has drastically changed the music industry. How has your life changed since the pandemic started?

2020 was a very strange year for everyone but I have to say that because I started releasing new music again in 2020 it felt very good to me. I had more time to write, record and work on my production skills. I couldn't perform and that was indeed a bummer but I did have one rooftop show so at least that. I believe 2021 will be different. At least some of it.

How are you staying positive during shelter in place?
Staying positive is very important to me and I constantly work on it. Every night before bed my partner and I say five things that were our highlights for the day, I practice Yoga, Pilates, I live by the beach so I'm there almost every single day and I surround myself only with good energy people.

What is your motto in life?
I think our motto changes as we change and grow. These days it's probably “Creation, balance and gratitude are freedom.”

To learn more about Sasha, please follow her via the below platforms:
Instagram: @sashadanielworld
Facebook: Sasha Daniel
Spotify: Sasha Daniel

Sasha Daniel Sings For Freedom