Israeli star on tour

LEADING Israeli singer-songwriter Mosh Ben Ari will perform his best-known hits as well as traditional Yemenite music from his roots during his Australian tour, which kicks off at the Shir Madness Jewish Music Festival.

While Ben Ari toured Australia in 2003 as the lead singer of Israeli band Sheva, this is his first solo tour Down Under, although he has replaced his usual 12-piece backing band with a smaller ensemble.

From his early days in Sheva, songs such as Salaam and Shir Lama’alot became anthems at festivals and concerts around the world.

Ben Ari embarked on a solo career with his debut album, Ad Elai, in 2001, followed by Derech in 2004 and the more recent album, Masa Umatan.

Ben Ari described the feeling of being on stage as being “at home”, emphasising that “music is without borders”.

“This is the only place that’s left in the world that you are clear from the bullshit of politics and the bullshit of religion … you can really be free of the stuff that makes us far away from each other,” he said.

“It’s nothing that you need to explain, you know, just to be.”

Ben Ari’s music and concerts have been described as a celebration of groove and spirit, blending rock, soul, reggae and world music.

“For me, the song is kind of like a camera,” he explained. “Just a picture of one moment of my life. I can’t fake it so much, it has to be true.”

Ben Ari stressed the important influence that his travels have had on his music.

“When I visit a place, I learn more from the culture than the music,” he said.

“Music seriously brings with it the land and the place that it’s coming from, so when you are there you can really understand it.”

When not making and performing his own music, Ben Ari likes to listen to a wide range of music ranging from classic Jimi Hendrix to African music.

“If it’s good music I don’t care. I don’t judge, I just love it,” he said.

Mosh Ben Ari performs in Sydney on March 25 at the Shir Madness Jewish Music Festival and on April 1 at the Oxford Art Factory. He is in Melbourne on March 27 at the Prince of Wales Hotel, St Kilda and then heads to Byron Bay on March 29 for a concert at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall.

REPORT: Gareth Narunsky
PHOTO: Israeli singer Mosh Ben Ari.