Israel: From Breaking News to Breaking Bands
By Marie V.
When I asked a bunch of friends what words came to mind when I
said ”Israel,” they replied “terrorism, bombings,
Palestine, Judaism.” I then questioned them if they ever thought
about the music scene in Israel; they unanimously answered “no.”
And that’s what the MISC organization is
trying to solve. They’re battling through the stereotypes,
lack of exposure, global distance, and succeeding in drawing attention
to their music scene and what they have to offer.
Based in Israel, the MISC Organization is a non-profit group created
by Israeli musicians and dedicated to promoting local musical activity
in the English language. With celebrities-gone-Kabbalah, there’s
been no lack of attention on the religious sector of Israel. Israel
hasn’t necessarily been a country where we turn when looking
for the next Nirvana. MISC, however, aims to establish the music
scene of English-singing Israeli artists as a force to be reckoned
with.
Recently the critics went batty over the Hasidic Reggae star Matisyahu
and his danceable inspirational anthems. Though not originally from
Israel, this Pennsylvanian-born singer felt a strong spiritual attachment
to the country and Judaism and thus captured the attention of the
nation. The Genders are just one band out of many that are part
of MISC, and are eager to take some attention for themselves.
Based out of Tel Aviv, The Genders are total DIY and have toured
North America extensively and make what they coin “punknroll.”
Other Israeli bands like Useless ID and RockFour have found homes
on smaller independent record labels. These MISC members, along
with multitudes of other volunteers, hold monthly nights “MISC
LIVE” where 30 bands perform in hopes to reach new audiences.
The idea of bands performing and recording exclusively in English
was once shunned by the Israeli community. Fortunately, the times
have changed, and it’s increasingly becoming accepted. For
the last seven months, MISC has been working on a collection of
original songs including a 17-piece ensemble that involves a mishmash
of member collaborations along with a cover version of Nirvana’s
“Come as You Are” (Yeah, we know, another Nirvana cover).
Once completed, they’ll be releasing the cover to radio and
cross their fingers the masses take notice.
Now when we look for the “next big thing,” as we sift
through the Brit rockers, Swedish power pop imports and even the
heart-pulling Midwestern indie rockers, perhaps we can call our
attention across the globe to a country that’s not all about
turmoil, but about music.
A non profit orgination that wants to brodacast English music in
Israel.
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