Habiluim

Habiluim performing at the Goldstar Zappa club in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 2nd, 2006. From left to right: Maya Dunietz, Yoni Silver, Noam Inbar, Yami Visler, Shahar Haziza.

Habiluim (Hebrew: "הבילויים", a name given to people who took part in the bilu organization) is an Israeli, theatrical rock & polka band formed in 1996 by Noam Inbar (Bass & Vocals) & Yammi Wisler (Electric Guitar) as a reaction to the deep sense of abhorrence they felt listening to contemporary Israeli Pop music, which they viewed as means for escape from the harsh Israeli reality (see also: Escapism).

The band's songs are grotesque accounts of the Israeli life from a political, social and critical point of view. In their song "Shaul Mofaz" the former minister of defense (Shaul Mofaz) is riding a snow sledge from house to house, giving out amputated organs of dead soldiers to their bereaved families. "Etzot Me'Imma" (Motherly Advice) is a mother's recommendation to her daughter to have an abortion, so her life won't be ruined by the need to raise a child, like her mother's was when she was born.

The grim contents of the band's songs are often accompanied by lively dancing music, drawing from the klezmer sounds of the Jewish ghetto, combined with Russian and Balkan folk music, and inspired by composers such as Kurt Weill and Hanns Eisler.

In 2002 the band was joined by pianist Maya Dunietz, and the band was signed by a major Israeli label, NMC Music. Habiluim recorded their first album (self titled), produced by Berry Sakharof (Minimal Compact, Fortisakharof). The album won critical acclaim and commercial success. Soon afterwards the band was joined by Yoni Silver (violin, saxophones). Throughout the years, several drummers have joined the band, including Shlomi (Kruvi) Lavi and Shahar Haziza. For a short period, the band included scratcher DJ Ofer (Schoolmaster) Tal. In the band's last performances in 2008, the band was joined by musician and accordionist Assaf Talmudi.

In 2006 Habiluim recorded their second album "Bereavement and Failure" ("שכול וכישלון" shchol vekishalon), inspired by the novel of Yosef Haim Brenner by the same name. the album was recorded in New York, produced by Tamir Muskat (Balkan Beat Box), and released in August 2007, also by NMC. The album enjoyed great critical and public acclaim. In an interview in October 2007, Visler characterized the album as 'a soundtrack to a fictional musical, transposing Brenner's novel into a contemporary setting.

A live performance of Habiluim appears in the feature film Ashkenaz, directed by Rachel Leah Jones.

Discography

Habiluim (2003)Apple iTunes - Habiluim (2003)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Ani Meki"	1:56
2.	"Kshe Napolyon Echbosh Et Akko"	4:39
3.	"Ma Shlom Hzakan Shel Chin-Ko-Chan"	4:17
4.	"Oto Zevel"	2:04
5.	"Merusia"	4:16
6.	"Mitbach El Yahud"	5:53
7.	"Leyad Beit Hashechi"	3:14
8.	"Ein Bagetim Bagetto"	2:55
9.	"Saul Mophaz"	4:03
10.	"Balada Le'em Had Horit"	5:39
11.	"Bachurim Shel Yeshiva"	3:01
12.	"Nifla Po"	5:42
Total length:		46:55

References

The Jerusalem Post, Arts and Culture 15 Oct. 2007

Haaretz 1 Nov. 2007

Habiluim videos on Myspace