Jewish indie rock at SXSW

Since nearly every major and not-so-major band in the universe is prepping for South By Southwest (the hugemongous Austin, TX music festival) next week, there isn’t very much concert news happening on either coast.

So let’s take a minute to recognize a few super-hip bands fronted by fantastic Jewish singers that will be performing at SXSW along with the rest of the music world.

From our blustery West…

Je t’aime, Lex Yeux Noirs!

With the annual Jewish Music Festival coming up soon (March 20-29), Bay Area audiophile Jews should have little cause for complaint. The fest will include world music, Israeli rock and Argentinian klezmer, among other genres.

Do not fret, dear readers, there will be plenty more info on the specifics of the festival in an upcoming j. article, but here and now I'd like to turn your attention to one act that has piqued…

Adam Green (Moldy Peaches) posts tour dates

Playful Jewish singer-musician Adam Green (A.K.A the boy in the Moldy Peaches) announced an upcoming world tour on his website today. Lo and behold- he’ll make a few stops in the Bay Area!

Green will bring his lo fi pop sounds to the Crepe Place in Santa Cruz on April 5 and Café du Nord in San Francisco on April 6 and 7.

Rykarda Parasol performs tonight

Husky-voiced local Jewish vocalist Rykarda Parasol will perform TONIGHT (Thursday, Feb. 18) at the Hemlock Tavern alongside ambient math rockers Chambers.

Parasol, who lives and plays in San Francisco, was born to a Polish father who escaped the horrors of the Holocaust and stunning Swedish mother who taught her about the past. The result? Parasol sings gothy, noir-tinged rock ditties full of soul and swagger.

Adorable songstress Mirah to play Noise Pop

Lest we forget how lucky we are to reside in a living, breathing music scene replete with super-fun local party bands and a constant cycle of touring acts — The Noise Pop Festival is back!

And crisp, adorable songstress Mirah is one act I’m personally more than excited to catch live during said fest.

Originally from Philadelphia, Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn moved to Olympia…

Jewish offspring form indie pop super-duo

Time to play a little game of name that (sort of) Jewish indie pop star: what daughter of a legendary Jewish-French singer and swinging 1960s mod actress recently released an album with the Scientologist son of a Jewish artist known for her antics with Andy Warhol’s factory?

Stumped? Why it’s the lithe and morose Charlotte Gainsbourg and Beck, of course. The former known for her acting in films such as “Science of…

Monotonix frontman breaks a leg

Seems the spectacular sonic maelstrom that is Monotonix hit a bit of a snag last week. The Israeli metal punkers were doing their usual schtick during a Jan. 27 show in West Palm Beach, Florida — jumping off equipment, hanging from the ceilings, inciting riots — when lead singer Ami Shalev broke his leg.

According to the band’s Myspace page "We never stopped a show in 700 shows, but yesterday…

Shlomo spins the hip hop beats

San Francisco-based hip-hop producer Henry Laufer (aka "Shlomo") may be the youngest, coolest Jewish performer this side of Oakland.

The 19-year old self-described "tall, lanky, jewy-lookin  dude from LA proper" released his album of avant-garde beats Shlomoshun Deluxe this past month and he'll spin at two shows this coming week.

Check out his mixes and plotz plotz beat beats here:

Feb. 2  at 2925 16th Street, S.F. (in the Mission)
Free…

Cantor urges help for Haiti through song

Cantor Shimon Craimer has joined the worldwide effort to assist the people of Haiti following the country's devastating earthquake earlier the month. The UK-born vocalist released "Bring Them Peace" on his website www.shimoncraimer.com. Visitors to the site can download the song for free, but are urged to donate to Haiti when doing so.

Craimer, who currently works at the Riverdale Jewish Center in Riverdale, N.Y., recently spoke to the Jpost…

The best of the best: Jews at the Grammy Awards

It is that special time of year for the music industry again – The Grammy Awards. The mainstream music event takes place this year on Jan. 31 on CBS. And what do you know; there are plenty of Yids nominated for the 52nd annual awards. Below is a (possibly incomplete) list of the Grammy’s favorite Jewy musicians:

1. MGMT (1/2 the band is Jewish) nominated for Best New Artist  &…