A contemporary take in music on old Yiddish

February 18, 2018 by Tayla Rosen
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Taking old Yiddish drinking songs, collaborating them with 60’s jazz, 70’s funk and good old big band sounds to create a dance mash up, is what YID! is all about. This unique recipe for success takes you through a whirlwind of cheerful, edgy, wild and vibrantly upbeat tunes that’s sure to get you on your feet.

Yid!

This year, the WOMADelaide music festival invites Melbourne’s ‘YID!’ to take you on funked up journey through pre-industrialised Eastern Europe, fusing traditional tunes and a bit of theatre, to create an indie mashup that is sure to be an experience for all.

“We are still under a year old” says lead musician Simon Starr. “We’ve only done three or four gigs and they’ve all been bigger and better.

We’re aiming to create an audience larger than just the Jewish/Yiddish population…the language is so colourful and vibrant that almost anyone should be able to get into it.”

Starr has been a musician and composer for many years, performing all sorts of music. He said “the idea for YID! came about when a friend initially suggested it as a joke, as a way to earn money”, little did they know that a successful band like YID! would come out if it.

Starr describes YID! As “an absolute onstage riot. With a group of 22 sharing their love of music, it can get crazy”.

Starr’s hope for YID! is that it’ll create an atmosphere where people will “want to dance their asses off”.

YID! will stand as a chance for the Yiddish culture to evolve and hopefully be preserved for many years to come.

“It’s a chance for us to show the world we’re part of a fun culture, giving people the opportunity to come away with a rich experience that incorporates dancing, partying, as well as learning.

We really welcome everyone…our message is universal”

YID! will take the stage on the 10th March at the WOMADelaide festival in Adelaide’s beautiful Botanic Park, performing as a vivacious group of 22.

Bands Members: Simon Starr, Willy Zygier, Adam Starr, Husky Gawenda, Gideon Preiss, Tomi Kalinski, Alex Burkoy, Josh Abrahams and David Haberfeld

 

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