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There isn't a big experimental scene in Israel, but it sure is consistent and interesting, and followed very loyally by some, including me. One of the best bands to come out of the Israeli music scene is Kruzenshtern and Parohod, a band of Russian immigrants (well not really immigrants, more like... I don't know. I assume that the Russian members of the group- which consist of 3 out of 4 of the band members- all came to Israel some time soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union) who play a wonderful twist of Klezmer, Russian traditional music, jazz, avant-garde, hardcore punk, metal and stuff, so much stuff.
About a week ago I saw that they were playing their first show after 10 months- their drummer was in a serious car accident and needed a while to recover- yesterday night September 10th. To say the least I was pretty freaking excited. With Kruzenshtern, a French band named Vialka was scheduled to play. After searching them up, I found them to be a bizarre mix of folk, math rock, experimental, and general wtf. Like a folk Don Caballero on Cocaine. The bands were supposed were to play two short sets individually and one short set together.
So how was the show? I can honestly say it was one of the better shows I've been to in my life. K&P were to say the least- just spectacular. They really did go mental. Their insanity comes a large portion from bassist and main composer Igor Krutogolov- who to say the least is the most bad ass motherf**ker in Israel, and possibly the world. The absolute amount of epic faces he makes during a show is staggering. An absolute hilarious joy to watch! You can see the man knows his Cardiacs- they way he interacts with the crowd (he handed pieces of paper to the crowd to all rip together in 3/4 time) reminds me a lot of Tim Smith's stage antics.
Vialka were too absolutely great. The pair of drums and acoustic guitar was a very successful one. Their drummer (who is -ahem- rather pretty- ahem) was a intriguing mix between the bombastic and the gentle- usually at the same time. Her voice was wonderful- a real Dagmar Krause as they say around these blocks. The acoustic guitarist helped stitch weird math rock riffs with folk beauty.
Now the joint concert! It was amazing. A real combination of Cabaret, trad jazz, Klezmer, punk, the usual. An absolute trip, with Igor playing on the saw for one song! Mind wrenchingly beautiful!!!!! That short was short and very sweet- about half an hour, and then it was all done!
An absolute stellar night. I wanna thank Levontin 7 (the venue) for keeping the experimental scene alive and healthy, and I think me and all of the 50-70 people there didn't come out disappointed.
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There be dragons
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