Bad Economy = Robberies

It seems that there has been a bit more robbery attacks lately. Perhaps people are trying to buy their holiday gifts with it? Take this story for example: a bunch of thieves take a stolen puck up truck and rip the security bars off a small convenience store. They smash through the window and make off with the ATM machine. The other day some brazen fellow walks right into the 24 hr fitness in the afternoon with plenty of people around. He goes through all the lockers and breaks any lock he couldn't get into. The robber got away with wallets and cell phones and could not be identified as he hid his face from the security cameras.Gym thieves of course do get caught. 

Soulfarm and Moshav Concert with Free Download!

The annual HOLIDAY JAM with Soulfarm and Moshav is finally here! TOMORROW NIGHT, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 at Highline Ballroom, music starts at 7PM and goes til late! Remember this show is All ages, so spread the word and bring all of your family and friends.

We've got two great openers and crazy sets planned, so you never know what will happen, who will show up and what the bands have planned for their encores! Join us for a night of joyful madness and musical escapes, this is a show you don't want to miss!

10th ANNUAL SOULFARM - MOSHAV HOLIDAY JAM!
Special Guest Openers The Groggers and Kosha Dillz
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23 @ 7PM
HIGHLINE BALLROOM
TIX: $18 http://bit.ly/aQRdC7
AT THE DOOR: $22 DOS

PLUS, Soulfarm is giving away a free live track from one of their recent shows. ENJOY! http://bit.ly/dG0Cl3

8th Day: New Album Coming Soon:Chasing Prophecy

Written by: Ethan Block

8th Day, Jewish music's new sound, (Co-founded by brothers Rabbi Shmuely and Bentzi Marcus) are in the final phase of their new album titled "Chasing Prophecy."

This is 8th Day's biggest project since the band formed a few years ago. The CD has many surprises, but perhaps, the biggest surprise for the Jewish music scene is that three-time Grammy nominee and Emmy Award-winning bassist Philip Bynoe has joined 8th Day and is playing on the new CD. Bynoe is best known for his work with virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai and has played with the likes of Kevin Eubanks and The Tonight Show Band.

Jewish music critics have called 8th Day a fresh and totally unique sound, the likes of which the Jewish music scene has yet to encounter. (The great composer and music lover Yossi Green was heard saying after seeing them live in concert that "8th Day is the best thing in Jewish music's recent history.") According to lead singer and song composer Shmuel Marcus, this was some of their best work "because we really made an effort to challenge ourselves to make something really special and not just record an album just to do it.."

When asked about what inspired the album Bentzi, lead guitarist and arranger/producer for the band, said it was partially from all the experience and growth they have had as a band. "Thank G-d we've had a chance to connect with crowds from all walks of life with our music and to meet them and see them react and be uplifted in every town we go to is a huge inspiration to continue and keep writing new material."

They have been playing to audiences around the world featuring some of the 12 new album songs at their shows. With recent appearances in LA, Montreal, Texas, New York and Vancouver,  their new hit song "Yiddish Country" was performed on the Nationally televised Chabad Telethon.  The album is due to hit stores around Tu B'Shavt 5771 and available through Aderet Music. 

Merkavah's last Concert of the Year!

A Jewish Music Insider has the scoop on the last concert of the year from Merkavah!

A Capella Hanukkah Video Wars: You Decide

As you may be aware, the hit song this Hanukkah is that of the A capella group the Maccabeats. Their song Candlelight  (click here to buy it) which is based on Mike Tompkins' A cappella version of Taio Cruz's "Dynamite", has over 2.7 million hits on YouTube. One of the members is actually a Houstonian, Noey Jacobson. These kids have gone from a moderately successful A capella group in a nice market, to full blown rock stars overnight! The phones are ringing off the hook with requests to perform in Italy and other far off places I'm sure. They have been  written up on major blogs, papers and  have had interviews on many TV stations non stop. This kind of publicity by religious Jewish performers is very unusual. With the exception of perhaps someone like Matisyahu, who also put forth his own Hanukkah music video entitled "miracle". Matisyahu's video has yet to get a 1/2 a million hits. Another talented A Capella group, Six13 released their Hanukkah video in conjunction with NCSY entitled "I Light It". This video was based on several songs ("Baby" by Justin Bieber "Heartless" by Kanye West "I like it" by Enrique Iglesias) which got about 164k hits. This video did get some attention online they however, did not get the same kind publicity as the Maccabeats did. The reasons behind why one A capella  group did better than the other can be analyzed to death. Then of course you have copy cats. A group out of Israel, The Fountainheads are trying to cash in on the Hanukkah video craze, put out this music video based on the black eyed peas song "I gotta feeling" . After listening for a few moments you"ll underdstand why it has a mere 10k hits ( they even try to steal concepts from the Maccabeats video). What are your thoughts?