as1one, the first Israeli-Palestinian pop group, recently released their second single, “Stranger.” Composed of members Aseel Farah, Nadav Philips, Neta Rozenblat, Niv Lin, Ohad Attia, and Sadik Abu Dogosh, the group has been making waves for five years. Their docuseries, AS1ONE: THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN POP MUSIC JOURNEY, premieres on December 3rd.
We sat down with the members of AS1ONE, the first Israeli-Palestinian pop group, to discuss their intense new ballad, “Stranger.” After five years of training and preparation, the group has quickly gained attention for their unique dynamic and powerful message. We wanted to hear about their experiences as a newly debuted group and their aspirations for the future.
You can watch the music video for “Stranger” in their Sunset Sound Performance below as you learn more about the group.
“We hope that when people see us together, we can inspire even a small change in perspective — showing that different people can coexist peacefully.”
The Knockturnal: Your latest release, “Stranger,” is a beautiful ballad that contrasts the energetic debut single “All Eyes On Us,” showcasing your versatility as a group. You mentioned that “Stranger” has a dual meaning, representing the hope of returning to something familiar – like a hometown or loved one – and finding that connection still intact. Do you aim to make all your music as intentional and meaningful as this one? Tell us more about what went into creating it.
Aseel: “Stranger” is a really special song for us. We had the privilege to work with the amazing Jason Evigan, and once we got in the room with him, he wanted to hear from us – what we want to write about, how we want the vibe of the song to be, etc. Like most of our songs, we like to have a double meaning. This song can be about missing someone you love and not knowing how you’ll feel when you see them again. For us, we wanted to speak about how we were all missing home, but the last time we had seen home, it was before the war. We left our families not knowing that soon their environment would change in many ways. So would ours. For us, this song speaks about the fear of feeling strangers in our own homes because of the changes we all went through.
The Knockturnal: The “Stranger (Sunset Sound Performance)” video has already earned recognition from platforms like MTV, marking a big moment for the group. How have you been dealing with this growing recognition, and what does it mean to you as artists?
Nadav: First of all, we’re so honored and grateful for all the exposure and recognition we’ve received from the song – especially from amazing platforms like MTV. We dreamed about these moments, and finally they are happening. “Stranger” means so much to us as a band, and it plays such an important part in our journey. To see people falling in love with it warms our hearts. As artists, our goal is to make people relate to our music in their own way, and “Stranger” is exactly that for us. It can be a song about missing your loved ones, but also about missing your home… and that is what music should do. It should make you feel these kinds of emotions.
The Knockturnal: Speaking of big moments, Paramount+ is premiering your docuseries, AS1ONE: THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN POP MUSIC JOURNEY, on December 3. The candid moments we’ve seen in your music videos have us excited to see the whole 5-year journey!
Neta: Yes! We are so excited to have our docuseries air on Paramount + next month. We can’t wait to share the journey and the experiences we had over these past few years. It’s important to us to show what it’s like to be who we are and where we are from.
The Knockturnal: How are you feeling about sharing your journey with the world? Do you think it will bring up past emotions, and what do you hope people take away from seeing how the group came to be?
Ohad: Sharing our journey with the world is the greatest goal for all of us. We’re here to show that no matter who you are or where you’re from — regardless of culture or religion — you’re welcome. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings. We’re all the same, and we can coexist.
When we first started this journey, the Israeli-Palestinian aspect of our group was just a passive fact. It wasn’t something we focused on. We were simply musicians brought together by our shared passion to create amazing music. Our goal has always been to unite through music because we believe music is the universal language. It transcends borders and identities, connecting people through shared sounds and songs.
“It’s okay to have different opinions — we’ve learned to accept, respect, and even agree to disagree at times. There’s so much more to connect us beyond politics.”
The Knockturnal: Although you’re a recently debuted group, you’ve already worked with industry heavyweights like James Diener and Ken Levitan. Have there been any “pinch-me” moments or memorable experiences working with them that you’d like to share?
Niv: Working with James Diener and Ken Levitan is a big deal for us. They were behind the creation of Maroon 5 and Kings of Leon, and being one of the bands they’ve chosen to create feels like an incredible compliment. They’re simply amazing at what they do, and we feel so grateful and blessed to be working with them.
“At the end of the day, we’re just six musicians with an interesting story who come from an interesting place in the world.” – Neta
The Knockturnal: What qualities do you think set as1one apart during the selection and training process in your own words?
Nadav: We feel like what makes us different than other boy bands in particular is that we are musicians first. We all play instruments and write our own music. A lot of times in these kinds of groups, there’s not a lot of involvement when it comes to the music or artistic decisions. In this case, all of us are fully involved in all elements of the creative process.
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The Knockturnal: Your upcoming debut EP is due out in the new year. Without giving too much away, what was the creative process like for this project? How long did it take to craft the tracks, and what can fans expect from your sound?
Neta: We’ve been working on this EP for almost as long as we’ve been filming our docuseries. It’s been years now that we’ve been working on this music, and I think, most of all, it paints a picture of who each of us are individually, as well as where we’re from, what we’ve experienced together, and what we have to say. Our message is very clear, and our music tells that story beautifully.
The Knockturnal: A fun one for you guys! As a group, you’ve spent quite a bit of time in Los Angeles recently. How has it been adjusting to life there? Are there any memorable moments or experiences that stand out compared to where some of you may have lived before?
Ohad: Los Angeles has been treating us really well. This city is the heart of the entertainment world, and we couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Everywhere you go, you meet someone important in the industry. Plus, the weather here is just like Israel’s, so it sometimes feels like home. Still, it takes time to adjust to a new place — to create new traditions, discover favorite spots, and connect with new people. These things take time, but we’re lucky to have each other. We’re like family, and we’re so fortunate to be here, doing what we love, embracing the challenges, and enjoying this crazy city.
Probably the wildest thing we’ve experienced here is living together — six of us sharing the same house, bathroom, kitchen, and rooms. Now, imagine adding 15 more crew members into the mix, spending all day at the house filming our docuseries. It was chaotic and unforgettable, full of fun experiences and hilarious moments we’ll never forget.
The Knockturnal: Your group name is spelled out “as one” yet your music has been described as a universal language, and your group embodies that sentiment 100%. What do you hope younger generations, especially those from your backgrounds, learn or feel from your music and story? – and what is the message of your groups name?
Aseel: For us, being as1one is a way to show people from all over the world that even at times of great division, there will be something we all love. Our message was tested once we got to Los Angeles one day before the war. We had a hard time navigating each other’s differences, yet, with all the emotions we put into our music, it translated to acceptance and understanding to getting closer and learning to listen. We hope our music shows a way forward in this world – a way to see the familiar in each other and accept the differences.
You can follow AS1ONE’s journey and watch their docuseries, AS1ONE: THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN POP MUSIC JOURNEY, premiering on December 3rd.
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