This week, we celebrate Thanksgivukkah, a rare occurrence where Thanksgiving eve and the first day of Hanukkah land on the same day. So rare, in fact, that we won’t see another Thanksgivukkah for another 70,000 years! This is not something we can’t afford to miss… This is it people. It’s now or never!!
For this rare occasion, we’ve partnered up two of our favorite Jewish musicians, and thrown them together in a virtual room to talk about how their heritage has shaped their lives and their musical endevors. Michelle Citrin (pictured left) is the star of the hit YouTube sensations, “20 Things to do with Matzah” and “Hanukkah Lovin’”, which to date, have received millions of hits, ranking in the top 20 most viewed music videos in 2008, and have been featured on Good Morning America, Yahoo.com, CBS Evening News, as well as The New York Times.
Elisa Korenne (pictured right) is a Singer-Songwriter from rural Minnesota whose latest project “‘Oy Vey’ is Jewish for ‘Uff-da’” is an award-winning story-and-song concert that tells the stories of the Jewish immigrants to the rural Upper Midwest. Elisa also specializes in writing songs about unique and uncommon individuals and events generally left out of the historical canon. She crafts poignant, always entertaining songs out of their lives and words.
Two quirky Jewish singers walk into a room. Listen in…
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Michelle: How has your background in Judaism helped you do what you do?
Elisa: I don’t know that I would have become a singer if it weren’t for the Jewish tradition of singing and the cultural tradition that equates singing with joy. Jewish music was the first music I ever heard. My Israeli parents sang Hebrew songs to me and with me when I was young. And I grew up in a conservative synagogue, so no instruments accompanied the singing at Shabbat services, there was only the glorious sound of the cantor’s voice and the congregation.
Also, in my Jewish upbringing, I learned that anything worth doing is full of challenges. So when I came up against the major hurdles of building a career as a musician, it just seemed like the natural progression of things.
Michelle: In what way has your Judaism influenced your music?
Elisa: The most obvious way that Judaism has influenced my music is in the creation of my show “‘Oy Vey’ is Jewish for ‘Uff-da.’” My story-and-song concert about the Jewish immigrants to the rural Upper Midwest (yes there were Jews here!) stemmed out of my feelings of isolation as a rare Jew in my adopted home in rural Minnesota. When I lived in New York City, my Judaism felt like an afterthought. Here in Minnesota, it defines me. My traditions are different from my neighbors’ traditions, and amazingly enough, that’s become an opportunity for engagement with my neighbors. The most surprising thing about my Oy Vey show is how much my non-Jewish audiences enjoy learning about Jewish traditions and culture, and how many of them approach me afterwards to tell me how much they appreciated my performance.
Michelle: What are your feelings about being labeled a ‘Jewish Musician”?
Elisa: You know, I think you are the first person to label me a “Jewish Musician” out loud—Midwesterners would never say such a thing to my face! Here are my immediate impressions: I feel proud, coming from an ancient tradition which always honored music, and I also find the term a bit limiting because “Jewish” is only a part of who I am as a musician.
Michelle: What’s your fav yiddish expression that would represent the status of the music industry right now?
Elisa: Hmmmm….there are three that appeal to me.
1. Nayn rabonim kenen keyn minyen nit makhn ober tsen shusters yo. (Nine rabbis can’t make a minyan but ten shoemakers can.) In other words, just because someone is in the formal “major-label” part of the music industry doesn’t mean that s/he is more likely to have success than an independent musician.
2. Afile der raykhster zeyger hot nit mer vi zekhtsik minut. (Even the most expensive clock has no more than sixty minutes.) There’s a lot a resourceful musician can do with the many less expensive tools at our disposal.
3. Tsulib a gloz milkh darf men nit koyfn a gantse ku. (For a glass of milk you don’t have to buy a whole cow.) There are a lot of paths to success for musicians and, though some are seemingly smaller-time, they might be all an independent musician needs.
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Elisa: As an independent artist, what parts of the newer, flatter music industry make you kvell (beam with pride and pleasure) and what parts of the music industry do you think are fercockt (messed up) and make you feel “meshuggina” (crazy)?
Michelle: Growing up in the NYC area, I was able to attend concerts of so many talented independent artists, most importantly – having exposure to the female singer/songwriter scene. Without this experience, and no internet, I wouldn’t have known how many wonderful women out there were making a living as singer/songwriters. Given the lack of representation of female musicians on MTV, I practically had no idea it was even possible for someone like me to have a career in music without a major label backing. Since the internet’s explosion of new media, anything is possible for anyone, anyplace.
And yet, there are two sides of every coin. With the same technology that exposed musicians to a worldwide audience reflecting a giant talent pool in such an amazing way, it also paved way for a new cultural norm where people believe music should be free. So here we have millions of artists out there who are reaching a global audience but having a tough time making an income off of their music. I recently saw an ad that said something like , “You’ll pay 3.95 for a coffee that lasts but a couple of hours, but you won’t pay .99 for that track that lasts a lifetime”. Time will tell, but ultimately it’s up to everyone to make this shift in perspective to respect the musician’s craft.
Elisa: How have your experiences in Israel influenced you as a musician?
Michelle: I think we all have our place in the world that allows us to feel 100% us. Maybe it’s the forest, or the ocean, for me… it’s in the Negev desert in Israel.
Many of my songs were written under a blanket of stars and moonlight by a candle. The land is filled with such an incredible energy, so much so that the air is literally thick with inspiration. The rich history, characters, stories, culture, tension and longing for peace – makes for an environment that fills the senses and is highly stimulating. I’ve never known any artist who’s been to Israel who hasn’t been inspired to create. It’s like the Muse Mothership that I hope to be able to plug in at least once a year.
Elisa: What makes a topic inspiring enough to turn into a song? For example, what sparked the song “Hanukkah Lovin”?
Michelle: Growing up, I was obsessed with the joy and light of Christmas. So much so that I hung christmas lights up in my room (which was torn down soon thereafter by my mother who was nervous I was going to convert). I adored the celebration, the beauty and especially the music. In fact, I used to love listening to Christmas music, but I longed for a soundtrack that made sense for my Jewish experience. I never understood how nearly every Christmas hit was written by a Jew and yet, they never wrote a single song for their own people. I mean, I understand business choices given that 2.2% population are Jewish, but c’mon, can you imagine what it would be like for Irving Berlin to have written, “I’m dreaming of a white Chanukah”. Right… not quite the same ring to it. So…
Fast forward to adulthood, I teamed up with my partner, Molly Kane to tackle the issue of ‘where’s the warm ‘n jazzy’ soundtrack to keep us warm on the snowy days of Hanukkah? Alas, “Hanukkah Lovin’ was born. The response has been wonderful, the music video went viral and it’s even getting played on national and XM radio which is like a dream come true! And this is just the beginning, there will be more! You can check out www.hanukkahlovin.com
Elisa: What brings you the most naches (joy) in your life as a musician?
Michelle: My greatest nachus as a musician stems from connecting with people through the music. Whether it be a new holiday classic to help celebrate, or a break up song that gets you through the day, I truly believe music has the power to heal and bring meaning to moments in life. Nothing makes me happier than creating a soundtrack for peoples’ lives and to use music and art to enhance our cultural experience.