The Jewish a cappella group Ketzev puts a new twist on traditional songs
Only a few more days until the Sabbath. And we all know what that means. Ketzev's fall concert is approaching! Ketzev, Hopkins' unique Jewish a-capella group sings in three languages: Yiddish, Hebrew, and of course English. The singes are brave enough to tackle songs ranging from ancient Hebrew liturgies to Israeli pop songs.
According to Jamie Spangler, Ketzev's soprano and business manager, the group can be charcterized as "a very animated, diverse bunch." Though Ketsev sings a majority of songs in Hebrew and Yiddish, including a Hebrew version of the classic "Total Eclipse of the Heart," Spangler asserts that the group is "not necessarily just the 'Jew Crew.'" In fact, about one-third of the group is not even Jewish.
Ketzev has been part of the Hopkins community since 1997. Aside from on campus performances, they sing at synagogues, religious schools and private functions from Richmond, VA and Washington, DC to New York City. Last spring, they performed in the Tsunami Relief concert at Shriver Hall.
This year's fall concert, to be held Sunday at 8 p.m. in Bloomberg auditorium, will be yet another opportunity for Ketzev to showcase their fusion of language, religion, and culture. Kol Sasson, a Jewish a capella group from the University of Maryland, will be singing with them. Kol Sasson is the only other Jewish a-capella group in the Maryland and D.C. area and recently performed at the White House ceremony for the lighting of the National Menorah. These two groups have performed together in the past and look forward to performing together again
Ketzev is singing with many new talented members. Expect such surprises as an arrangement of Linkin Park's "Numb" both in English and translated into Hebrew by a capella member Danny Kaplow. As Josh Lerman, a member of Ketzev, says, "We're bigger and better than ever. So people better watch out!"
-- Natalie Baer
Hot Hot Heat to burn up Sonar
Hot Hot Heat will play at Sonar this Saturday, Nov. 19. In their relatively short existence, Hot Hot Heat have metamorphosed from the confines of rigid, angular synth-rock beginnings to a dangerously catchy indie-rock combination of 60s mod rock, 70s progressive and 80s new wave/punk that never leaves out a genuine sense of fun. The band cites their influences in the quirks of early XTC, the solid blues rhythms of rock legends Led Zeppelin and the melodious hooks of The Cure. To date, the band has been compared to popular indie-outfits Franz Ferdinand, the Killers and Kaiser Chiefs.
The band, made up of Steve Bays on vocals and keyboards, Dante DeCaro on guitar, Paul Hawley on drums and Dustin Hawthorne on bass, is originally from Victoria, British Columbia and formed in 1999. With the continual development of new melodies and witty lyrics, they have seen nothing but success since their 2002 EP Knock Knock Knock, which was produced in part by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie.
The EP and tours with a number of different groups including the Walkmen and Dismemberment Plan, allowed for the full-length album Make Up the Breakdown to be debuted later in 2002. The group ended the year by releasing an album of earlier, rawer tracks entitled Scenes One Through 13 and signing with Warner Brothers. The group then spent the majority of 2003 on tour before returning to recording studios in 2004 to work on Elevator, their newest album released in the spring of this year. Each of these albums build on the complexity and attention to detail of previous releases while maintaining focus on merging energy with melody, and Elevator proves no exception.
The group is most prominently known for its singles "Middle of Nowhere," "Talk to Me, Dance with Me" and the ever-popular "Bandages," an infectious song that takes control of its listeners and takes them on a wild ride.
With so much success trailing in their wake, the members of Hot Hot Heat will undoubtedly put on an amazing live show. Supporting acts will be the Redwalls and We Are Scientists. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at http://www.sonarbaltimore.com.
--Anusha Gopalratnam
MT6 Records to host ten Baltimore bands
This weekend, the Talking Head will host the MT6 Record Fest and feature ten Baltimore bands for the price of one.
For a relatively small city, Baltimore offers a wide array of musical scenes for the average college student to explore. The brave souls who enjoy the let-go-of-it-all liberation associated with hardcore punk can choose to sample the latest thrashings of the Charm City Art Space. The kids who never got enough attention from their parents and prefer the relatively unclassifiable sound of the improv genre, can attend the concerts at Normal's Books and Records. But those ambitious individuals eager to experience a little dysfunctional, experimental noise from the heart of Baltimore can head to the MT6 Records Fest this Saturday, Nov. 19 to spend a night with the city's up-and-coming bands.
Founder of the label Alex Strama says, "The show will give people a good overview of the music scene that's been going on in Baltimore." Some of the bands on the roster are Human Host, The New Flesh and Strama's solo project, New Age Hillbilly. The New Flesh, a noise punk trio that stabs their form of hardcore directly into the hearts of listeners, were featured in City Paper's "Best of 2004" as the best band in Baltimore. In 2005, City Paper also singled out Human Host, formerly known as the Charm City Suicides, dubbing them "Best Live Band" in the city. The band's on-stage theatrics fuel their energy-driven show.
With an all-star line up, the evening is sure to be an intense musical mash up of noise, electronics and perspiration for all. Tickets are $5 for more information go to http://www.talkingheadclub.com.
-- Stephanie Yu
