GIDEON UNNA is an Israeli musician, songwriter, and educator from Kibbutz Ein Carmel, grandson of the kibbutz founders. He began playing bass guitar at 13 and later studied at the Rimon School of Music, Tel Hai College, and the University of Haifa.
After his service in the IDF Intelligence Corps, he explored spirituality and creativity, blending music with healing and education. His debut album, Birds of the Sabbath, was produced with Eli and Yotam Botner, among others.
Over the years, GIDEON UNNA has worked with young adults on the autism spectrum and facilitated therapeutic music and group processes. His first book, The Merit of the Soul, reflects his holistic view of art and spirit.
In 2025, he released “Modest Love,” an English duet with Kayle Halperin, expanding his music to an international audience.
With “What Is Love” out now, we took some time to hear from GIDEON UNNA. Read below to learn more about GIDEON UNNA, the story behind “What Is Love,” and what’s to come.
Hi GIDEON UNNA! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
It’s my real name, Gideon is from the bible and my mother chose it for me – she liked it. What I really like about my name is that the Hebrew letters of my name creates the the phrase, ‘he is heaven’ (he is the Garden of Eden).
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I’m from a Kibbutz, which is a small community, close to the city of Haifa.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I started playing music at the age of 13, in my bar mitzvah. And through the years, I realised that this what I wanted to do.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
My sound is basically the touch of the people that I work with and obviously their souls. I believe that music is not just technical, it comes from the soul.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I practice tai chi and aikido. And, I write a lot – just published a book last year, a spiritual guide.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
The Beatles, Cat Stevens, many of the ’60s, ’70s great artists – and my friend, Assaf Goren, who passed away. He made for me the first spark to play music, and I miss him.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
Every time I play, and it doesn’t matter where, and people get excited and touched by my music. It gives me a lot of inspiration to do more and to create new music.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
Movement is necessary like water, if it stands in one place for a long time it, becomes dirty, so you need to move your body and mind. There is always hope – it’s a teaching by the great rabbi, Nahman of Breslev, which I study a lot. All the ways you will choose will lead to the same thing, to yourself.
Now onto your release, ‘What Is Love.’ What inspired this song? What is ‘What Is Love’ about?
Basically, it’s about love – about loving life, loving all God’s creations.
How did the collaboration with Kaley Halperin come about?
I was looking for a singer, and I found her on Facebook.
What was the creative process like when making ‘What Is Love?’
I had the song already written, and me and my friend, Lior Medan, started recording it until we got something that we liked. And then, we recorded more layers of instruments.
How long did it take to complete ‘What Is Love?’
It took some time. In the beginning, we made a Hebrew version, and then we took the tracks, organised them different, and recorded Kaley, which was also a case to reach her and then was kind of a default in the studio I needed to solve. But, in the end, we made it. And, I love the result.
What is your favorite lyric in ‘What Is Love’ and why?
‘Instead of hope we made loads of weapons to blow each other’s evil mind’
I like this line cause it’s very real, in my opinion. In the end, we all have an evil side, and if we don’t work on it and make it good, I mean, make from the evil side pure side of love, we will find ourself fighting all the time.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from ‘What Is Love’ and your music in general?
Peace, love, and understanding like Elvis Castlo wrote and sings.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I hope to preform in Europe or in the States, but at the moment, no one invited me, so this is a call for you guys in the world – let’s make a show. And, besides that, I’m working on an album – ‘What Is Love’ is the second single from it.
Where can we follow you on social media?
https://www.facebook.com/gideon.unna
This is my Facebook, I usually write in Hebrew.
I just ate in an Arabic restaurant in a small village in the Carmel Mountain, close to my Kibbutz. Great humus and tasty kobe, all made by hand. And, the view is wonderful. The village is called Ein Hod.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
