Omri Vitis and The Holy Band

Omri Vitis-Profile
Omri Vitis is a British-Israeli singer/songwriter, currently based in Tel Aviv.
With his rich and profound music and Lyrics, Vitis takes his audiences on a mystical journey where biblical stories come to life and ancient ethnic melodies mingle with western harmonies of bands such as The Pixies, Arcade Fire, Jane's Addiction, Neil Young, Led Zeppelin and others.
Vitis who was born and raised on Kibuts Dalia has recently returned to Israel after having spent the past 15 years in London where he wrote, recorded and performed as a solo artist and with his multi national projects. In the late 90s Omri was signed to Fire Records with his alternative indie rock band April.
Prior to signing the deal with Fire, April became the house band at the prestigious Camden Town rock venue-The Barfly. Those were the days when bands such as Ultrasound, Six By Seven and Coldplay played there regularly.
With April Omri recorded his debut UK album-Unite.
The single from the album-Bring You Love, was played regularly on XFM as well as other London radio stations.
It took almost 4 years and a rather dramatic change of direction before Vitis released his second album. This time it was with his new Tribal Folk/World indie band Whateverland, with whom he was signed to Organic Records.
Vitis who was the lead singer and the songwriter in the band, collaborated with musicians from countries such as Algeria, Greece, Romania, USA, Northern Ireland, Italy, Canada, UK and others to create an original, yet international folk-world sound.
The classic rock instruments from his previous band April, were replaced with a violin, a djembe (African drum), oud, cello, melodeon, mandolins etc...
As far apart as it may seem from Omri's previous venture with April, Whatevrland felt like a natural growth for the singer who allowed himself to be completely inspired by the spirit and sounds he was surrounded by during his early childhood years at home on the Kibuts, where he listened to 60s and 70s folk records from all over the world.
With Whateverland Vitis enjoyed much success playing at some of London's best folk venues as well as festivals across the UK.
Upon his arrival in Israel in late 2010, he formed a new band-Omri Vitis and The Holy Band.
The band has been constantly touring the country with over 150 gigs in the past 18 months.
Amongst others, they played at venues such as Barby Tel Aviv, Shablul Jazz in Tel Aviv, Jacob's Ladder Festival, Avram Bar in Jerusalem, Indie Negev Festival, Yaarot Menashe Festival, Zichrona etc...
Omri has also appered on the main national radio and T.V stations in the country.
The band was recently invited to open a show for Efo Hayeled, the Israeli well known alternative rock band. In June 2012, Vitis opened Ehud Banai's show at the Barby in Tel Aviv.
With Banai, an Israeli folk legened who is also known as the Israeli Bob Dylan, Vitis toured the UK
In November 2012.
Vitis now opens Ehud Banai's shows in Israel almost on a regular basis.
In September 2012 he was invited to perform at the Berlin Music Week Festival.
As a result of his band's performance at the festival, they were booked to do a major tour in Germany and Austria in May 2013, together with the well known German band Sohne Mannheims.
In October 2012, Vitis has signed a new international publishing deal with Gordeon Music Productions, Berlin.
His début Israeli Album release is due later this year.