Comments on: Danielson: A Family Movie

By: David

David — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:06:22 +0000

Hi Jack,
I agree and I think my post brings up more questions than answers at this point. Not to say that the multifarious Jewish music “scenes” can’t do better, but I wonder if Christian music is really a benchmark– particularly with the difference in the sizes of the communities we’re talking about. Clearly there’s a lot more to the story but if we look at demographics alone, there’s hardly a place in the US where there wouldn’t be a potentially sizable (if not engaged) Christian audience; there are many places like that for Jews. I guess that’s where, as you’re saying, things like satellite radio and the internet could be a huge boon for anything that references itself as “Jewish” and “music” in the same breath. Cheers Jack!

By: postymcposterton

postymcposterton — Sun, 18 May 2008 18:07:10 +0000

For Jewish music fans who don’t know about “jewish rock,” point ‘em to Jon Madof… his bands (Rashanim & CircuitBreaker) rock (and not in a lame xian rock kinda way). :)

http://www.jonmadof.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jonmadof
http://www.myspace.com/rashanim
http://www.myspace.com/circuitbreakerrules

~Dan
http://jazzsick.wordpress.com/

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 18 May 2008 11:03:51 +0000

Hi David, Your question "Is “Christian rock” what non-Jews see in a Rorschach test of “Jewish rock?”." I think part of the answer is that a lot of Jews think so. Those of us that are hip to Jewish music, have a richer, more nuanced, understanding of the many sub-genre's and issues that get played out in Jewish music. But lots of American Jews don't. I was talking to one of my cousins recently who, when Jewish music came up, specifically said something like "oh, is that like Christian rock for Jews." In one of my recent posts I started pondering the question of how we can fix that. I'm not sure if having synagogues support Jewish music is the right answer. First of all, many already do. Reform "songleader" style pop-folk guitar (e.g. Debbie Friedman, Jeff Klepper, Rich Recht, Beth Schafer) is one of the pillars of contemporary Jewish American music and it is significantly supported. The term songleader comes specifically from their role in (mostly reform) religious services, a role they are paid to perform. Many (most?) of their gigs are either at synagogues or Jewish music fests, most of which have at least some synagogue support. Same is true on the orthodox music front. While they have their own profit-driven industry and concert scene, most of the performers revenue comes from simcha events associated (though not paid for) by shuls. For me, the big question isn't how to fund Jewish music, it's how to get American Jews who aren't already connected with a music-supporting Jewish community to be aware of Jewish music. Christian music (rock in particular) has an awareness that extends far past church boundaries. There are Grammy awards, local and satellite radio stations, genres listed on popular music websites, and lots more. The Jewish music scene doesn't do nearly as well. Those of us (like you and me) that take to the blogs are trying to change that, as are all the Jewish music fest organizers and podcast & radio show organizers. But there's a lot of work to be done.