Habiluim
Encyclopedia
Habiluim is an Israel
i, theatrical rock
& polka
band
formed in 1996 by Noam Inbar (Bass & Vocals) & Yammi Wisler (Electric Guitar
) as a reaction to the deep sense of abhorrence they felt listening to contemporary Israeli Pop music, which they viewed as means for escape from the harsh Israeli reality (see also: Escapism
).
The band's songs are grotesque accounts of the Israeli life from a political, social and critical point of view.
In their song "Shaul Mofaz" the former minister of defense (Shaul Mofaz
) is riding a snow sledge from house to house, giving out amputated organs of dead soldiers to their bereaved families. "Etzot Me'Imma" (Motherly Advice) is a mother's recommendation to her daughter to have an abortion
, so her life won't be ruined by the need to raise a child, like her mother's was when she was born.
The grim contents of the band's songs are often accompanied by lively dancing music, drawing from the klezmer
sounds of the Jewish ghetto
, combined with Russia
n and Balkan folk music
, and inspired by composers such as Kurt Weill
and Hanns Eisler
.
In 2002 the band was joined by pianist Maya Dunietz
, and the band was signed by a major Israeli label, NMC Music
. Habiluim recorded their first album (self titled), produced by Berry Sakharof
(Minimal Compact
, Phortisakharof). The album won critical acclaim and commercial success. Soon afterwards the band was joined by Yoni Silver (violin
, saxophone
s). Throughout the years, several drummers have joined the band, including Shlomi (Kruvi) Lavi and Shahar Haziza. For a short period, the band included scratcher
DJ Ofer (Schoolmaster) Tal. In the band's last performances in 2008, the band was joined by musician
and accordionist Assaf Talmudi.
In 2006 Habiluim recorded their second album "Bereavement and Failure" ("שכול וכישלון" shchol vekishalon), inspired by the novel of Yosef Haim Brenner
by the same name. the album was recorded in New York
, produced by Tamir Muskat
(Balkan Beat Box
), and released in August 2007, also by NMC. The album enjoyed great critical and public acclaim. In an interview in October 2007, Visler characterized the album as 'a soundtrack
to a fictional musical
, transposing Brenner's
novel into a contemporary setting.
A live performance of Habiluim appears in the feature film
Ashkenaz, directed by Rachel Leah Jones.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i, theatrical rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
& polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
formed in 1996 by Noam Inbar (Bass & Vocals) & Yammi Wisler (Electric Guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
) as a reaction to the deep sense of abhorrence they felt listening to contemporary Israeli Pop music, which they viewed as means for escape from the harsh Israeli reality (see also: Escapism
Escapism
Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an "escape" from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life...
).
The band's songs are grotesque accounts of the Israeli life from a political, social and critical point of view.
In their song "Shaul Mofaz" the former minister of defense (Shaul Mofaz
Shaul Mofaz
Lt. General Shaul Mofaz is an Israeli politician who serves as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs And Defense Committee at the Knesset...
) is riding a snow sledge from house to house, giving out amputated organs of dead soldiers to their bereaved families. "Etzot Me'Imma" (Motherly Advice) is a mother's recommendation to her daughter to have an abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, so her life won't be ruined by the need to raise a child, like her mother's was when she was born.
The grim contents of the band's songs are often accompanied by lively dancing music, drawing from the klezmer
Klezmer
Klezmer is a musical tradition of the Ashkenazic Jews of Eastern Europe. Played by professional musicians called klezmorim, the genre originally consisted largely of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebrations...
sounds of the Jewish ghetto
Ghetto
A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
, combined with Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n and Balkan folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, and inspired by composers such as Kurt Weill
Kurt Weill
Kurt Julian Weill was a German-Jewish composer, active from the 1920s, and in his later years in the United States. He was a leading composer for the stage who was best known for his fruitful collaborations with Bertolt Brecht...
and Hanns Eisler
Hanns Eisler
Hanns Eisler was an Austrian composer.-Family background:Eisler was born in Leipzig where his Jewish father, Rudolf Eisler, was a professor of philosophy...
.
In 2002 the band was joined by pianist Maya Dunietz
Maya Dunietz
Maya Dunietz is an Israeli pianist, singer and composer, recording and performing worldwide in a wide range of musical genres.-Her early years:...
, and the band was signed by a major Israeli label, NMC Music
NMC Music
NMC Music is an Israeli record label. It was established in 1964 as a subsidiary company of CBS, and became independent in 1988.Among influential artist represented by NMC are:Mashina, Chava Alberstein, Ehud Banai and T-Slam.-External links:...
. Habiluim recorded their first album (self titled), produced by Berry Sakharof
Berry Sakharof
Berry Sakharof is an Israeli rock guitarist, songwriter and singer.-Biography:Sakharof was born in Izmir, Turkey in 1957. His family immigrated to Israel when he was 3 years old.-Start of career:...
(Minimal Compact
Minimal Compact
Minimal Compact were an Israeli rock band associated with the post punk and indie rock movement of the 1980s.-Biography:Between its foundation in 1981 and its dissolution seven years later, Minimal Compact played a small role in the European rock scene...
, Phortisakharof). The album won critical acclaim and commercial success. Soon afterwards the band was joined by Yoni Silver (violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
s). Throughout the years, several drummers have joined the band, including Shlomi (Kruvi) Lavi and Shahar Haziza. For a short period, the band included scratcher
Scratching
Scratching is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with hip hop music, since the late 1980s, it has been used...
DJ Ofer (Schoolmaster) Tal. In the band's last performances in 2008, the band was joined by musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and accordionist Assaf Talmudi.
In 2006 Habiluim recorded their second album "Bereavement and Failure" ("שכול וכישלון" shchol vekishalon), inspired by the novel of Yosef Haim Brenner
Yosef Haim Brenner
Yosef Haim Brenner was a Russian-born Hebrew-language author, one of the pioneers of modern Hebrew literature.-Biography:Brenner was born to a poor Jewish family in Novi Mlini, Russian Empire...
by the same name. the album was recorded in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, produced by Tamir Muskat
Tamir Muskat
Tamir Muskat is a musician/producer-engineer who was born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel as son of a Romanian immigrant. As a teenager, he was already a prominent rock drummer and percussionist...
(Balkan Beat Box
Balkan Beat Box
Balkan Beat Box is an Israeli musical group founded by Tamir Muskat, Ori Kaplan of Firewater and Big Lazy, and Tomer Yosef . As a musical project they often cooperate with a host of other musicians both in the studio as well as live...
), and released in August 2007, also by NMC. The album enjoyed great critical and public acclaim. In an interview in October 2007, Visler characterized the album as 'a soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to a fictional musical
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
, transposing Brenner's
Yosef Haim Brenner
Yosef Haim Brenner was a Russian-born Hebrew-language author, one of the pioneers of modern Hebrew literature.-Biography:Brenner was born to a poor Jewish family in Novi Mlini, Russian Empire...
novel into a contemporary setting.
A live performance of Habiluim appears in the feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
Ashkenaz, directed by Rachel Leah Jones.