Mima'amakim Interview (September 2004)

Mimaamakim: Seth, let’s start out with the obvious questions, what would you say your influences are?
Seth Nadel: I grew up listening to a lot of great American rock music, folk, jazz and blues. I’m a big Bob Dylan fan, he's definitely one of my Rebbes. Eventually I got into the music of Reb Shlomo [Carlebach] and others.

Mimaamakim: You use a lot of Jewish quotes in your music, what do you feel about the integration of Jewish music with a style that is not completely influenced by Judaism?

Seth Nadel: All Jewish music is a product of the larger society around it. Mizrachi music has Arabic influences. In the music of the Jews of Africa you can hear African rhythms. Klezmer was heavily influenced by Ukranian and Gypsy music. Throughout our history, Jewish music has taken elements from the indigenous peoples that surround.

Mimaamakim: There has been some resistance, it seems, to doing the same with American music, but you are among a number of artists that have embraced it. Do you think modern culture has had a harder struggle to be brought into Jewish music?

Seth Nadel: The music I'm writing is what feels so natural for me. It's just a product of all the music I love and grew up listening to. We're not trying to be irreverent. We're just playing what comes naturally. I think the 'resistance' you are referring to comes about when the feeling is that musicians are trying to be irreverent or disrespectful with their music. Jewish music has always been used to inspire. I think you have to approach it with the right intention and be sincere.

Mimaamakim: You mentioned Bob Dylan as one of your bigger influences, how do you feel influenced by him?

Seth Nadel: As a songwriter. He is one of the greatest songwriters. You know he was one of the first to write personal songs. He's known for his protest songs and political songs, but he was really the first singer/songwriter - a modern day troubadour. In the beginning of his career all he wanted to be was Woody Guthrie, and throughout his career he kept re-inventing himself and his music...still does today. But I identify most with him as a songwriter. I have this picture of him with a tallis and tefillin by the kotel. One day I'm going to put it next to the pictures of Rebbeim on my wall.

Mimaamakim: Many of your songs use lyrics from Torah sources, are they words that have inspired you?

Seth Nadel: Sure. I find pesukim that call out to me. I don't just arbitrarily put this pasuk with that melody. There has to be a connection. It’s kind of like making a shidduch. Sometimes I'll have the melody and chords first, and then I'll find the pasuk – sometimes the pesukim and then the melody builds around it. Other times the two just happen together. The songwriting process is difficult to describe. It's really beyond words. I also write my own lyrics- that too is difficult to describe. Reb Shlomo, z'l, said, "Hundreds of songs come into the world every day, and I am lucky enough to pick up a few of the good ones." The songwriting process is mystifying.

Mimaamakim: And where do you see your music being in ten years? Or Jewish music in general?

Seth Nadel: I hope to continue doing this in ten years, with G-d's help. I love it so much. As far as Jewish music- I hope it continues to grow and flourish. It would be nice to see more diversity. I think its coming. People are more open to new and interesting things in Jewish music. The irony is that the secular music world has come to appreciate a lot of the really new sounds in Jewish music. There is a huge scene in downtown NYC surrounding these avant-garde klezmer jazz bands. Who would have thought that klezmer would be hip in 2004? But it's a new klezmer, with elements of free jazz and experimental music. People are fascinated with our music. Mimaamakim: And non-music aspects as well. Madonna is studying Kabbalah. Seth Nadel: Sure. But I'd like to see that openness to new sounds enter the mainstream Jewish music market. There is Jewish music in every genre: hip hop, reggae, dub, ambient, punk, folk. Again it's the story of the Jew in the Diaspora being influenced by the surrounding larger culture. You see this in all the art forms, but I think Jewish music is going in exciting directions.

Mimaamakim: Do you have a relationship with some of the other people doing innovative things in Jewish music?

Seth Nadel: Sure. I run a yahoo group email list, "nycjewishmusic" which publicizes all the Jewish music events in the NY Metro area to over 4,000 subscribers. It has been a great way to meet many artists in the industry that are doing new and exciting things. I'm also always on the lookout for new Jewish music CD's. I have a large collection of everything from cantoral to Carlebach to Jewish punk, to reggae and SKA. I need examples when I teach about Jewish music. I just got this great CD of the music of the Abuyada Jews of Uganda

Mimaamakim: Where do you teach about Jewish music?

Seth Nadel: All over. Synagogues, communities, Hebrew schools, camps, anywhere!

Mimaamakim: What do you teach?

Seth Nadel: Well- one of the things I'm doing right now is teaching about the "holiness of music." Later this month I'm presenting at the CAJE Conference, an annual conference for Jewish educators from across the globe and across the religious spectrum. I’m giving a session on "the holiness of music," showing how in Judaism music has always been used to inspire. Based on sources from Tanach, the Talmud, Kabbalistic and Chassidic texts. The Talmud discusses how prophets would use music to prepare for prophecy. Of course music was used in the holy service in the Temple. And the Chassidic Masters wrote extensively of how song can bring one to deveykus, closeness, to G-d. There is a lot about music in our tradition. I’m currently gathering together sources for a book on the subject.

Mimaamakim: Like a Jewish School of Rock?

Seth Nadel: Exactly (laughs). What did you think of the CD?

Mimaamakim: I have to say, the first thing I thought was, The Boss [Bruce Springsteen].

Seth Nadel: Sure. Sure. Also an influence. Growing up in NJ, it’s like my birthright. I am familiar with the highways and towns he sings about, but he somehow manages to make them much more poetic.


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