For the past 10 years, Idan Raichel has been one of Israel’s most popular,
unique and beloved musicians. Unlike most band leaders who stand at the center
of the stage, Idan, with his long dreadlocks, thick hair band and baggy pants,
sits at his keyboard at the far left of his stage. In extensive tours of Israel
and the world, the composer and director prefers to showcase his enchanting
blend of musicians - from various countries in African, Latin America and the
Caribbean - and their unique sounds.
As the director of the Idan Raichel
Project, the 34-year-old from Kfar Saba shares a message of tolerance and love.
He has changed the face of Israeli music. Idan Raichel has grown from being a
nine-year-old accordion player to an Israeli Army Band musician, to a counselor
at a boarding school for immigrants and troubled youth, to the leader of the
always evolving Idan Raichel Project, which has so far released three platinum
albums.
Now, Idan Raichel is composing music with India Arie, the famous
African-American singer songwriter who has sold more than 10 million albums
worldwide and won four Grammy Awards.
Raichel and Arie performed their
song, ‘Gift of Acceptance’ at last year’s Nobel Peace Prize awards. The pair
will release their new album, called Open Door, album in March
2012.
D’’ash reporter Howard Blas caught up with India and Idan following
their concert at New York City’s Beacon Theater.
D’’ASH: When did you
guys first meet?
India: I was traveling in Israel in 2008 and was exploring
historical sites. I left the tour early and went down to Tel Aviv. I like to
explore the music traditions and the populations of a place. I asked people “who
are the forward thinking people with intelligent lyrics?” Everyone said “Idan
Raichel,” so I arranged to meet him.
Idan: I am a big fan of India’s. I
was very happy such an established American artist is so open-minded to explore
music from other parts of the world. When she came to Israel, it was a really
cool dream to have an American singer singing with us in English. I realized
there was good chemistry between us so we wrote a whole album
together.
D’’ASH: What attracts you to each other?
Idan: India is very
modest and artistic, and she has a lot of confidence. Sometimes in art and hip hop culture, there are a lot of sexy elements. India presents herself in a
very modest way with a lot of grace. It is beautiful to see.
India: We
just have very similar musical tastes. When I hear his chord progression and
melodies, I like it, but even more, I feel it is something I should be singing.
I love his music and relate to it and want to sing it. That happens rarely!
D’’ASH: Your New York concert took place the the very same day Gilad Shalit was
released. What was your reaction when you heard that he was home? Tell us about
your hopes and dreams for the Middle East.
Idan: It is a new year in
Israel. I hope it will be a year of building foundations for peace. I hope that
all prisoners who went back to their side and Gilad Shalit, who came to our
side, will represent a movement for fighting for peace and not
wars.
India: Idan first told me the story of Gilad Shalit when I went to
Israel in September, 2010. I don’t know enough about Gilad Shalit and his
situation. But it is always beautiful to see someone survive. I hope the
prisoners released will commit to peace. It was interesting to be up close with
three Israeli musicians from Idan’s band and see how they felt. It was very
moving to hear them debating. All had different points of view about the
prisoners being released. In the end, they were happy about the release;
whatever their previous beliefs had been, they were all happy he was
out.
D’’ASH: Can you describe the message of your song ‘Gift of
Acceptance?’ What what was it like performing it at the Nobel Prize ceremony?
Idan: The melody I had in Israel for the past three or four years.
I sent
it to India and she wrote beautiful lyrics. It was everything she wanted to say
until now and couldn’t say it, until today. “Gift of Acceptance’ turned out to
be one of the most beautiful songs on Open Door. The song represents the idea
that people all over the world, regardless of race, gender, and political views,
can join together and become a big community.
India: It was satisfying
and fun and not only because it was at such a prestigious event. My whole life,
I have been committed to making music in the name of peace. It was fulfilling to
be there and to be singing a song I feel passionate about! It is aligned with my
values.
D’’ASH: What was your funniest moment on tour?
Idan: To go on
stage and start to say, “Good Evening New York, or LA, or Denver” and then pause
and realize you don’t even know where you are!
India: At our last show of the
tour, we were playing Open Door music. There is one part where I sing a
song in three part harmony with my back up singers (we sing like sisters!)
Anyway, during the show, Idan and Gilad and Yankele (his musicians) surprised
me. They suddenly came out from backstage with one microphone, pretending to do
the three part harmony. It was terrible!
D’’ASH: What advice can you give to
young musicians?
Idan: Do it in YOUR way; follow your own dreams and
inspirations. Learn from the past to build your own foundations for what
you want to do in the future.
India: Know that you have to do what you
love. Sometimes you do what you THINK will make money or will be popular. When
you do what you really love, things fall in to place in a special way.
|