Rami Feinstein
Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel | INDIE
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“I started writing songs when I was little – writing words. I started writing music when I was about 16 or 17,” Rami Feinstein tells Ynet on a breathlessly hot July night before taking the stage at the Container Bar in Jaffa Port.
Now, he says, there are songs that start with the words, and there are songs that are born from the melody. And many of his songs are written together – words and music. But “even before I begin to play, it starts from an idea, something I feel I have to say,” Feinstein explains.
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The 36-year-old singer-songwriter came very close to choosing a life behind the lectern, not the microphone. He served as an officer in the IDF and completed his BA with every intention of pursuing a doctorate in Jewish history and sociology. Then he made the fateful decision to take a year off to “think a little, give music a chance.”
In concert at the Zappa Bar (Photo: Eran Tal)
“I didn’t go back,” he smiles.
Feinstein released his debut album, “A Matter of Time,” in 2008. His second album, “Someone Has to Stay Here,” came out in June.
Reviews of “Someone Has to Stay Here” have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics and bloggers describing the music as rock, folk-rock, or funk. On stage, the chemistry between Feinstein (on acoustic guitar) and the musicians he plays with: Dan Eckert (bass); Ben Labi (guitar); Aviv Cohen-Hashani (drums); Gilad Jacobson (keyboards); Eli Chen Tov (violin); and Oran Ben Avi (saxophone) is clear. He’s been playing with some for two years, with others for six or seven.
Feinstein also co-produced 'Someone Has to Stay Here'
“The ‘click’ usually happens after you’ve performed together for a while. I can’t put my finger on when exactly it happened, but I feel great (with them,)” he says.
When asked how the new album is different from the first, Feinstein – who produced it in collaboration with Eckert – says that from a musical point of view, “Someone Has to Stay Here” bears his own very strong musical stamp. And the lyrics, he says, reflect the different things he’s been through. “That’s really the theme. The need and the desire to follow your dreams vs. the goal of teaching yourself to appreciate what you have.”
Unlike some artists, Feinstein doesn’t write to vent. He says that he finds it difficult to write hot on the heels of heartbreak. “First, you take it in, work it through. Later, when things calm down and I’ve gotten some insights, I can work it into a song.”
Does he feel that he is consistently able to realize his musical vision? “I create within the limitations of the medium I’ve chosen,” he says. “If I weren’t able to express myself authentically, I don’t think I’d do it.”
Feinstein, the son of immigrants from the US, describes his connection to his family’s “American-ness” as "strong." While fully conversant not only in English but also in the American mentality, he writes in Hebrew. “I feel that in English I can be articulate, but in Hebrew I can be accurate,” he says. “It’s very important to me to express my feelings exactly.”
Nevertheless, he doesn’t rule out writing material in English in the future, as many Israeli musicians have done. In fact, he has started translating the lyrics of the new album into English, a project that he says presents challenges because his language is quite idiomatic.
One last point – height. Feinstein often jokes that at 1.93 meters (6’3” ) he is the tallest musician in Israel. Has being tall ever been a problem? No, he laughs, it’s just a little unusual. “Generally, people who are creative seem to be shorter. It’s like I’m tall by mistake.”
Rami and his group will be performing at the Tamuna Theater in Tel Aviv on August 28.
- ynet interview
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On Saturday night, Israeli folk-rock singer and songwriter Rami Feinstein held a cozy performance at Cholmondeley's for an intimate audience, only half of whom could actually understand his Hebrew lyrics. Feinstein is an up-and-coming alternative star on his first tour in the United States. He has been playing in a band for the past five years and has only recently released his first solo album. The night opened with a performance by Brandeis Hillel's very own Daniel Harris Levine (or, as the many flyers advertising the night attested, "the guy who sits at the table at Usdan playing music.") Levine's performance, mellow and relaxed, was highlighted by a couple of songs that used a type of musical loop machine to give a "one-man band" effect to his playing. While certain snippets of his song were instantly recorded and played on repeat, he was able to contribute other instruments and sound bites, creating a sense of canonical melody and almost psychedelic ambiance. His hosting and jokes were well-received, though the first several songs he played were particularly downbeat and slightly droning.
Feinstein arrived dressed in a black jacket to match his left-handed acoustic guitar and was greeted by swoons from admiring fans (mostly girls). He introduced himself casually, approving of the comforting environment of Chum's. After a quick poll revealed a limited number of Hebrew speakers in the audience, Feinstein pointed out that his Hebrew-language lyrics are "actually good" and that no one should have any problem following along with his many telling body motions and facial expressions.
The songs he played were mostly upbeat, and several of them were humorous, according to his English summarization of the lyrics. Some of the subjects he touched on included picking up girls at a bar, the perfect time to ask someone on a date and his experience as a nail product salesman at an American mall. Varied and comical, his performance was also highly energetic despite his being confined to one swivel chair the entire night. Indeed, even the non-Hebrew speakers in the audience could make out the passion in his lyrics through many his emphatic displays of emotion via facial expression and gestures. The tone and quality of his singing style is comparable to that of Jason Mraz or John Mayer-upbeat and descriptive, often with vivid lyrics and/or stories used to capture the audience, accompanied by catchy pop/rock melodies.
Feinstein sang one particularly captivating and funny song was sung in English at the end of the concert. Titled "Something Amazing," it tells of Feinstein's aforementioned experience working as a nail product salesman to raise money to make his album. Though the melody and expression were serious, the subject was lighthearted compared to the rest of the night's song topics. Feinstein also injected his concert with funny commentary about American versus Israeli culture, similarities of which obsession with celebrity lifestyles and the differing opinions as to when it is timely enough to call a girl and not sound "desperate."
Feinstein's performance was enjoyable and also easy to relate to on a personal level. His welcoming demeanor made the audience appreciate song lyrics attuned to issues everyone can sympathize with-or at least laugh about-under any cultural context. Feinstein is a talented aspiring musician, and newcomers and fans alike should keep an eye out for his newly released album that will surely be "something amazing. - The Justice
Discography
1. A matter of Time - 2007
2. Someone's Got To Stay Here - 2012
Photos
Bio
Rami is a singer songwriter, with music and lyrics blending a "folk-rock-funky" quality with touches of bluegrass and gospel. His work reflects a unique Israeli character, and is also influenced by American artists like Dave Matthews, Paul Simon, John Mayer and Jason Mraz.
Rami wrote his first song when he was 8 and began composing music at 17. His debut album "A Matter of Time" was released in 2008 and recently, in June 2012, he released his second album "Someone's Got To Stay Here". Rami wrote all the music and lyrics on both albums and served as Musical Co-producer on his second album. Cultural Hero Website remarked: "You MUST buy Rami Feinstein's new album and not only because its superb. Its diverse, refreshing and surprising."
Rami wouldn't let anything stand between himself and his dreams. In order to raise money for his first album, Rami worked as a Holiday Cart salesperson in the malls in the U.S. He wrote a song about this experience, called "Something Amazing," which became an internet hit and was written about in The Wall Street Journal. His latest music video for the single, "A Damn Good Day" was released in partnership with MTV-Award winning Interlude interactive technology and can be viewed at www.ramifeinstein.com
He has been performing with his band in Israel and the US for the last 8 years. Fishtank Website remarked about his performance: "I found Rami Feinstein to be bold and fearless onstage... genuine happiness was sparked in the audience."
Yuval Harel, a premiere Israeli music blogger chimes in, " Rami's songs are full of insight, wisdom, optimism, observation and life lessons.... he radiates light and positive intensity."
Rami Feinstein "is has singer-songwriter in his blood" (Yossi Music Website). He writes music that people can relate to and loves connecting with his audiences. He looks forward to touring Israel and the US with his newly published songs in both Hebrew and English.
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