Golem – Free concert @ Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts – Monday, Oct. 27 @ 7:30 p.m.
New York City-based Klezmer rock band Golem will perform a free concert at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Monday, Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m.
The concert is a part of the Daniel Pearl World Music Days Concert series in memoriam of the slain journalist Daniel Pearl, which aims to “use the power of music to reaffirm our commitment to tolerance and humanity,” according to the Daniel Pearl World Music Days’ official website.
Founder and frontwoman Annette Ezekiel Kogan grew up playing piano and wanting to learn traditional Eastern European folk music. Her passion led to her discovery of the accordion because Kogan “wanted something to carry around.”
Golem has been fusing Klezmer, a musical tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews, with a modern edge and contemporary sound for over 10 years. Their punk rock gypsy twists and early jazz influences on these traditional tunes make the “music feel alive to the young,” said Kogan.
“Our philosophy is you don’t need to know anything about it. Jewish traditional music is accessible to all,” said Kogan.
The Washington Post stated that the band “produces the sort of music you’d expect if the shtetl were filled with punks instead of peasants.” This is apparent after their many years on the road, four studio albums and increase in popularity.
Their newest album release, “Tanz” (2014), meaning dance in Yiddish, “has gained a massive following in Mexico,” said Kogan.
On the title track, “Tanz”, upbeat drums and trombone melodies bring the lyrics to life as Kogan and vocalist Aaron Diskin, sing “Tanz, Tanz, Tanz, Dance.” The combination of English lyrics and Yiddish tradition are the perfect remedy to get you out of your seats.
As if this fusion of cultures and the band’s history were not enough to convince you to attend the concert thus far, they were also featured on the FX series “Louie.”
“It was in the episode ‘Into the Woods’ where there was a 90 minute flashback … when Louie remembers his childhood smoking pot,” said Kogan.
This is the band’s first time with the Daniel Pearl World Music Day Concert series. They are excited to perform at the Quick Center and will be “remembering and keeping Pearl’s memory alive,” said Kogan.
“We refuse to go away,” said Kogan “[Our music] is the one kicking, screaming and won’t back down”.
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