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Revision as of 20:42, 19 October 2014
Shtar | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Jerusalem, Israel |
| Genres | Jewish music, hip hop, rock |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Shemesh Music, Shemspeed, 8th Note (Israel), Heatseat |
| Members | Ori "M'Ori" Murray Brad Rubinstein Dan "Zakki" Issac Avi Sommers Tzvi Solomons |
| Past members | Alex Lopez-Dias David Epstein |
| Website | shtarmusic |
Shtar (Aramaic: שטר, a Talmudic contract) is an Israeli Jewish hip hop group based in Jerusalem. Formed in 2006 by rapper Ori Murray and guitarist/songwriter Brad Rubinstein, the band released their debut album, Infinity, in 2011 on Shemspeed Records, receiving media attention for their unique musical style and appearance. A second recording, Boss EP, was released through the band's own Heatseat Records in December 2012.
History
Band founders Ori Murray and Brad Rubinstein met at the Aish HaTorah yeshiva in Jerusalem, after having led largely non-religious lives. Upon discovering that they both had musical backgrounds they had abandoned in favor of their religious studies (Murray had previously been an MC in Seattle's drum and bass scene, while Rubinstein had been the guitarist and songwriter for a short-lived Essex-based trip hop outfit called Lisp), the two started encouraging each other to return to making music and ultimately formed Shtar in 2006,[1] taking the name from a tractate of Gemara they were learning at the time. Originally a duo, they gradually added a full band to their lineup in order to be more interesting live.[2]
In January 2011, the band released its debut album Infinity.[3] The band was signed a year later by Shemspeed Records,[4] who re-released the album on March 5, 2012.[5][6] In October, the band played the Israeli independent music festival InDNegev. December 5, 2012 saw the independent release of a second Shtar recording, the Boss EP. Shortly afterward, the band announced plans for a second EP to be released in early summer 2013, as well as a UK tour the same year.[1]
Musical style
Over the course of their career, Shtar's music has combined hip hop with elements of funk, rock, pop, electronica, and Sephardic music (co-vocalist Dan Isaac comes from a line of Sephardic cantors),[1][5][7] with influences including Beck, The Roots, Massive Attack, Mos Def, and Coldplay.[8] Max Elstein Keisler of The Forward described the formula of the songs on Infinity as "a melodic, live-band beat, a smooth vocal hook, usually in Hebrew, and a sophisticated 'smart guy' rapping."[9] In contrast, the Boss EP included more pop and electronica elements, and featured completely English lyrics and less overtly religious themes.[1]
Band members
Current members
- Ori Murray - MC, lyrics
- Brad Rubinstein - guitar, songwriting, production
- Dan "Zaki" Isaac - vocals
- Avi Sommers - bass guitar
- Tzvi Solomons - drums
Past members
- Alex Lopez-Dias - bass guitar
- David Epstein - drums
Discography
- Recordings
- Infinity (2011, Shemspeed; 8th Note in Israel)
- Boss EP (2012, Heatseat)
- Beauty Queen EP (TBA 2013)
- Untitled Second Album (TBA)
- Singles
- "Modeh (Restoring My Soul)" (Infinity)
- "Overload" (Boss EP)
- "Gone Again" (Boss EP)
References
- ^ a b c d Marder, Rachel (Dec 6, 2012). "The Israeli Music Scene's Rising 'Shtar'". Algemeiner Journal. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
- ^ Bresky, Ben (June 2010). "Yeshiva Hip-Hop Band "Shtar" Releases New CD". Israel National News. Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 19 December 2012.
- ^ "Infinity". Shtarmusic.com. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ "Shemspeed signs Shtar to restore your soul". Shemspeed.com. Jan 11, 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ a b Marder, Rachel (March 17, 2012). "Shtar Power". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ "Infinity". Amazon.com. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
- ^ Sapty, Tanya (Nov 17, 2011). "Haredi hip hop group rocks Tel Aviv". Haaretz. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ Shtar YNet News Interview, originally conducted by Rafi Barbiro for Ynet News, later posted on the band's YouTube channel.
- ^ Keisler, Max Elstein (March 5, 2012). "Monday Music: Rap for Rabbis". The Arty Semite. The Forward. Retrieved 11 January 2013.