This spring, JDub expanded its work into literature with Adam Mansbach’s novel, The End of the Jews. We took this on because we really loved this book. If you haven’t read it yet, i highly suggest you add it to your spring/summer reading list. It’s a multi-generational Jewish family epic tracing assimilation, family disintegration, and the unending (and sometimes uncontrollable) artistic pursuit.
Its something of a Jewish remix of the American race novel: stoned bar mitzvah DJs coercing people to dance the hora to Eric B & Rakim’s “Microphone Fiend,” a Czech girl passing for black in America, swaggering Jewish geniuses remaking postwar American culture, and grandfather-and-grandson graffiti missions:(caught in part here).
There were many times when we worried that one move too far into the mainstream, one step beyond the very traditional bounds of the Orthodox world, could bring a ban on a certain very tall Hasid. We took a lot of questions to the Bet Din at 770 and respected the answers they gave, but always, always, I had this concern. Seems in another part of “the Jewish music jungle” (Thanks frumhouse, i love that term), just such a ban has been decreed. Does anyone care? Will anyone follow it? I just find this too intriguing not to share…
Have you heard of The Big Event? If so, for the love of Hashem, write a comment and chime in. I love how the Ultra-Orthodox world can randomly swing into Madison Square Garden and it flies totally under the radar of the rest of the Jewish world. Apparently, it is/was a concert planned for March 9th featuring frum music favorites headlined by Lipa Shmeltzer. Lipa really is a King. A wedding singer and simcha entertainer, he gained prominence with his lighthearted rewrites of secular tunes as newly Kosherfied hits in both Yiddish and English. He performed at a friend’s wedding and while his “Yo Ya” was good, he really got me with version of Melanie C’s “I turn to you.” Apparently you can make it Jewish simply by adding “Hashem” before the phrase. ANYWAYS…
I’ll let the frum bloggers explain from here: Frumhouse:Basically, the current king of the Jewish music jungle, Lipa Schmeltzer, has been deemed too wild by certain factions of the orthodox community. Furthermore, these factions believe that current Jewish music has become goyified (my word, not theirs). Songs that stem from non-Jewish melodies, even if the words and taam have been changed to elevate their kiddusha, are deemed inappropriate for kosher Jewish entertainment.
This concert and future Jewish music concerts have been banned by a group of about 35 rabbanim. They also prohibit people from hiring any performer who participates in the Big Event Concert.
Lipa speaks out: I have recently started learning Bichavrusa with a leading Rosh Yeshiva, and I promised him that I will never sing any songs which were composed by non-Jews. Being true to my word, I have sang at more then a dozen Chasuna’s since I made that decision – and I have not sang “Yiddenâ€, “Abi-Mileibtâ€, or “Numa†(Rabbi Nachman M’uman) or any other song that is questionable as to its origin.
The really ironic thing to me about this is many Hasidic niggunim, and most Jewish music in general, doesn’t come from exclusively Jewish sources. We are a people with a tradition of song as a vital form of expression in our lives. But with the exception of Torah cantillation as a system of musical notation and musical modes of prayer, as a Diaspora people our appropriation of the culture of our various host communities is inevitable. What makes Klezmer more Jewish than pop songs about Hanukkah? What makes pining for Hashem to the tune of a French Revolutionary War March more Kosher than pining to Hashem to the tune of an ex-Spice Girl?
Warning: President’s Day is being hijacked by patriots from other countries. and lovers of foreign cultures. luckily for us, this means more interesting shows, events, and projects and less Uncle Sam costumes…
Fri: Soulico w/Onili in Chicago; birthright’s Israelity tour in SD Sat: JDub celebrates a patriotic holiday weekend with Middle Eastern mash ups, Israeli DJs, and good old American hip hop as SOULICO returns from Tel Aviv for a Brooklyn Loft Party w/Onili, Sneakas & Mazi; Israelity rolls through LA Sun: Israelity goes Vegas Mon: Soulico in Austin @ Beauty Bar Tues: Dan Safer and his troupe, Witness Relocation, perform works-in-progress from his Six Points Fellowship Project, Haggadah, at the Center for Jewish History. They won’t know what hit them… Wed: Jeremiah Lockwood performs new works-in-progress from hisSix Points Fellowship project, Hidden Melodies Revealed, solo in NYC. Thurs: Golem at the Parrish in Austin! Fri: Golem at the Warehouse Live in Houston!
In case you missed them at The 8, JDub & Taglit-birthright israel’s worldwide Hanukkah party, John Cho and Kal Penn of “Harold & Kumar” fame have a Hanukkah greeting for you…
CK at Jewlicious has decided to hold a poll. We’ve all been blessed with a glorious opportunity: “to decide who you feel is more Jewy, good for the Jews, cool or Jewlicious.”
While not condoning what really seems to be a simple popularity contest, if its going to happen, Jewschool’s founder Mobius should be getting your votes. So point your mouse over there and do it!
To promote his new album Sandwiches & Cats, Michael Showalter is doing a pseudo tour of various blogs like ours, and we’re fortunate enough to have him pop by here. (he also popped by Stereogum where he dropped this aaaaamazing video of revealing his hidden musical joys – Dave Matthews need hide no more.) Enjoy. – biz
My name is Michael Showalter. I am a comedian. I did a TV show on MTV in the mid-90′s called The State and then a movie called Wet Hot American Summer and then another movie called The Baxter and then another TV show called Stella. That’s my resume. I have a record coming out today called “Sandwiches & Cats.” It’s on the label JDub Records.
Alot of people ask me why I decided to a comedy record and I tell them it’s because I thought it was about time that a Jewish person made a comedy record. I mean, to my knowledge I’m the first Jewish comedian. And I’m definitely the first one to make a comedy record. Mostly, Jewish people are known for being professional football players and country music stars but not comedians. I mean I guess there’s a few Jewish comedians: Jerry Seinfeld, Woody Allen, Adam Sandler, Gilda Radner, Henny Youngman, Shecky Green, Lenny Bruce, Billy Crystal, Larry David, Andy Samberg, virtually all of the Borsht Belt comedians, most of the Vaudeville comedians, Judy Gold, Mort Sahl, Rita Rudner, Jerry Lewis, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Richard Lewis, Mel Brooks, Albert Brooks, Rodney Dangerfield, Al Franken, Jeff Garlin, David Brenner, Lewis Black, Sandra Bernhard, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Dave Attel, David Cross, Robert Klein, Marc Maron, Jackie Mason, Paul Reiser, Don Rickles, Alan King, Ben Stiller, and Roseanne Barr.
Other than that list of small fries, I can’t really think of any. Hopefully, my comedy record “Sandwiches & Cats” can put Jewish people back on the map in the world of comedy. We should be known as more than just professional football players and country music stars. Someone needs to do it and I’m up to the task.
Shavua tov to all. With much fanfare, JDub is proud to present the premiere of Socalled’s You Are Never Alone video. Look forward to your thoughts, comments, and pass-along support.
Like I do every year, I’ll be spending Rosh Hashanah with my extended family (my family is small, but the inlaws form a large extension) at my father’s shul in Arizona. How many of you will similarly give up spiritual, cultural, and/or community enlightenment to spend time with family and food (also important, but not necessarily first choice)?
If you’re in NYC, you have a FREE, alcohol-dousing alternative (or a late night escape): The world premier of Hidden Melodies Revealed: A Secret Celebration of Rosh HaShana in song. The evening is presented by Jeremiah Lockwood and his band, Sway Machinery, which features both special guest drummer, Brian Chase (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and founding percusionist, Tomer Tzur, as well as Colin Stetson (Tom Waits, Arcade Fire) on bass saxophone, and the tenor sax and trumpet combo of Stuart Bogie and Jordan McLean (Antibalas). A theatrical concert event, that will also feature an animated film of the Akeidah. Whew.
In jeremiah’s words: “More than a concert, this event will walk the balance beam between storytelling, theater, music and mass hysteria. Taking place on Rosh HaShana and employing the musical traditions of the Jewish New Year as its jumping off point, Hidden Melodies Revealed will unleash an all-out party that is both joyful and transformative.”
All this, plus an open bar from 9.45 until 11pm, courtesy of Moet Hennesy, offering Ardbeg “The Ultimate Single Islay Malt Scotch Whiskey,” Greenpoint Chardonnay and Cabernet Shiraz from Australia.
To be fair, i must mention my vested interest here. Jeremiah is a member of the founding cohort of the Six Points Fellowship for Emerging Jewish Artists, which is a partnership of Avoda Arts, JDub Records, and the Foundation for Jewish Culture, and is made possible with major funding from UJA-Federation of New York. But even were this not the case, i’d still post this, because it’s going to be one hell of a night.
Wednesday, September 12th, 2007 10PM Angel Orensanz Foundation – 172 Norfolk Street (bet. Houston and Stanton)
FREE–OPEN BAR 9:45-11PM
It’s been a ridiculous week with our boys Ido Wido and Rob from Soulico tearing it up with wicked DJ sets in Boston and NYC. Check out pictures from Milk & Honey (w/visuals courtesy of Mobius & Mushon), download their Studio B set, see what the Washington Post and Boston Phoenix have to say, and don't miss your last chances to see them play this weekend!!!
Sat Sep 01 DC @ Wonderland Ballroom SOULICO w/DJ Meistro – 10PM Mon Sep 03 Brooklyn @ JDub Labor Day BBQ at The Yard w/Golem, Deleon, DJ Eleven (The Rub), DJ Anaan (JDub), and DJ Ezekiel (Golem).
$10 Tickets HERE. 3-9PM ALL AGES
"The #1 reason to stay in town this holiday weekend…ride the 30 foot inflatable water slide, beer in hand, while laughing at your friends stuck in holiday traffic jam hell." – The Village Voice
At both shows, we’ll be giving out FREE copies of the new Soulico mixtape, Blend De Luxe, as well as the new JDub compilation, Rooftop Roots (which feature 2 original Soulico tracks and for which new site Shemspeed (humorously?) accused JDub of jacking its gramaphone. If you can’t make it out, you can email info@jdubrecords.org with your full name and address and we’ll send a copy of Rooftop Roots straight to you!
This whole week Socalled, is playing shows in Boston, DC, NYC, LA, & SF to celebrate the release of his new album entitled Ghettoblaster. We’ve been working up to this album for a loooooong time, and we are psyched that its finally on its way to you.
Socalled builds hip-hop out of old Klezmer records and puts on the kind of show Al Pacino would go see nightly at the Babylon Club. He’s been with JDub since 2005′s Socalled Seder: The Hip Hop Haggadah, and we really, truly, love his music. He’s an accordion wielding, MPC pounding, rhyme twisting Klezmer hip hop maestro. His sophomore album, Ghettoblaster, features a vast pallette of over 40 guests including Theodore Bikel, 92 year old Bikinis and Bongos legend Irving Fields, underground hip-hopper C Rayz Walz, Gospel singer Doris Glaspie, hot shot producer Gonzales, and James’ Brown brass master Fred Wesley.
In New York, he’ll be joined by the very special Tim Fite who puts on the best show you’ve ever seen ever, as well as live t-shirt silkscreening and group comic making (comic frames on the walls, lots of pens, lots of fun). In LA, he’ll be joined by Wax Tailor – cinematic French hip-hop at it’s best.
If you happen to live in Detroit or Chicago, the mighty Balkan Beat Box head your way this weekend with shows at the Detroit Festival of the Arts June 10th and Empty Bottle June 11th supporting their new kick ass, 4 STAR SPIN-awarded(!) album, Nu Med.
JDub Records is currently working on Volume 3 of our annual Rooftop Roots Mixtape. The mixtape features both JDub artists and other unsigned and international musicians making innovative Jewish music and cross cultural endeavors. 10,000 copies are distributed every summer at festivals such as Bonnaroo, at JDub events, through the JDub webstore, as well as to journalists, bloggers, and our favorite cafes and hang outs. Non-JDub artists featured in the past have gone on to sign with V2, Raptivism, JMG, as well as JDub.
If you define your music as Jewish music or yourself as a Jewish artist we encourage you to submit your tracks!!!
All submissions are being done digitally this year. If you are interested in having your music featured on Rooftop Roots III:
1. Check the instructions
2. Be sure to submit by Monday, April 16th at 5 PM EST
Passover starts Monday night at sundown, many of you will gather with friends and family for 4 cups of wine, 4 questions, and more dry, flat, unleavened bread than you’d care to think about.
Socalled’s Passover masterpiece, The SoCalled Seder: A Hip Hop Haggadah, is the perfect antidote to a seder as dry as the matzah you're going to eat. It makes a great Afikomen prize. Whether you drink the 4 cups or not, its a great sountrack to the first week of April.
Currently at JDub, we’re hawking the CD in the JDub Webstore for only $7.99! Its also available for download from itunes and emusic
The SoCalled Seder takes you through the Passover Haggadah in an entirely new way. It features cameos by the Wu Tang Clan’s Killah Priest, Mr. Bungle’s Trevor Dunn, Montreal’s queen of country Katie Moore, David Krakauer, Susan and Elaine Hoffman Watts, and many others. Stay tuned for news of Socalled’s new release, Ghettoblaster, hitting stores everywhere on June 12th.
I discovered Israeli DJ crew Soulico digging through the selections at hatav hashmini in Tel Aviv when i came across their Masabacha mixtape which included this gem. and this one as well. It took a few years, but the day they put up a myspace page I messaged them. Now they are the newest artists on the JDub roster. Who are they? Soulico is a 4-member DJ crew, and the first DJ’s in the Middle East to master the trifecta of production, turntabilsm, and party-rocking skills. Soulico has garned incredible respect and critical acclaim both for their original songs and their unique mash-ups that blend Israeli folk and Jewish melodies with American hip-hop tracks.
Soulico is currently in the states, meeting up with the Roots and Jewschool fave Amy Winehouse and preparing for their NYC debut tomorrow night at Canal Room before joining JDub at SXSW in good old Austin, TX.
Care to join us? $15 admission in NYC includes an hour open bar. 2 chances to see them at SXSW. Friday (pre-Shabbes) at the FREE (no wristbands or badges needed!) Impose Party w/The Rub at and Saturday night at midnight at the JDub/Heeb Showcase at Habana Calle 6 Annex (which includes labelmates Balkan Beat Box & Golem, and is hosted by the venerable Michael Showalter.
In college? Like the beach and warm weather in November? November 12 (conveniently timed to coincide with the GA), join Hillel, JDub, and more than 1,000 other students for JUST For a Day, to take to the streets and beaches of Los Angeles for a one-day social-justice blitz that will make a difference in lives of Angelinos.
Buses will be traveling to/from the following Hillel’s:
USC, UC IRVINE, UC RIVERSIDE, UCLA, CSUN, SD State, UCSD, UC Berkeley, UCSB, Long Beach, Occidental, Claremont, and UofA. For more information and to register check out JUST For a Day
JDub doesn’t often get the opportunity to produce FREE events, and we’re particularly excited for this one. See you there.
It’s been awhile since I took the opportunity to get out in the world as a musician. So when Golem invited me to open up their first few shows before they joined up with Balkan Beat Box, I was excited to take them up on the offer. DJ Anaan was in full effect at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland and The Red and the Black in DC (look for a mix online soon), but Golem blew me out of the water. Fresh out of the studio recording Fresh Off Boat, they are really on their game. The music is loud, the arrangements are tight, and the melodrama is high. And when you play Eastern European folk-punk that is foreign yet, via pop culture and the collective subconscious, deeply familiar,” that is a really good thing.
You’ve got another few weeks to catch Golem on tour w/BBB. Don’t miss the rare opportunity to see them outside of their New York habitat.
Whet your palate with their video clip for Warsaw is Khelm:
Good friends are organizing this great event Sunday in NYC.
***
You are invited to join a Children of Abraham Peace Walk from the Islamic Society of Bayridge, Brooklyn to the Park Slope Jewish Center on June 18th, Father’s Day, in honor of the Father of us all. Come meet your neighbors — Jewish, Muslim, and Christian; American, Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Pakistani, Yemenite, Lebanese, Latino, and more. This is a walk, not a march; all political commitments and orientations are welcome.
Imam Shata – who may be familiar to you from the NY Times cover stories that featured his visionary leadership – has inspired his large, traditional Muslim community to participate in this walk following their afternoon prayers; they eagerly look forward to walking alongside their Jewish neighbors as a shared expression of their desire for peace and mutual understanding. We as Jewish leaders often lament the lack of opportunities for Jewish-Muslim contact. Here is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate, visibly, our commitment to peace and relationships with our neighbors.
This spring, JDub expanded its work into literature with Adam Mansbach’s novel, The End of the Jews. We took this on because we really loved this book. If you haven’t read it yet, i highly suggest you add it to your spring/summer reading list. It’s a multi-generational Jewish family epic tracing assimilation, family disintegration, and the unending (and sometimes uncontrollable) artistic pursuit.
There were many times when we worried that one move too far into the mainstream, one step beyond the very traditional bounds of the Orthodox world, could bring a ban on a certain very tall Hasid. We took a lot of questions to the Bet Din at 770 and respected the answers they gave, but always, always, I had this concern. Seems in another part of “the Jewish music jungle” (Thanks 
Warning: President’s Day is being hijacked by patriots from other countries. and lovers of foreign cultures. luckily for us, this means more interesting shows, events, and projects and less Uncle Sam costumes…
CK at Jewlicious has decided to 
To promote his new album 
Like I do every year, I’ll be spending Rosh Hashanah with my extended family (my family is small, but the inlaws form a large extension) at my 
It’s been a ridiculous week with our boys Ido Wido and Rob from 
Passover starts Monday night at sundown, many of you will gather with friends and family for 4 cups of wine, 4 questions, and more dry, flat, unleavened bread than you’d care to think about. 
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