Asaf Avidan & the Mojos
"Asaf Avidan is 26 year old genius...
you might think you're listening to Janis Joplin... but Asaf is a new
messiah" - Rolling Stone magazine - Mexico
In the recent 24 months Asaf Avidan
& the Mojos have evolved from an anonymous, young, Jerusalem based band
- to one of the most prominent promises of Rock & Roll world.
The band has just completed a full scale
and highky successful summer tour in Europe, playing on huge stages
in festivals as well as clubs and tv shows across the continent, and
getting spectacular reviews and praises from the fans and media wherever
they go.
The following attempts to sum up the
past couple of years in the band's life, but if you take the time and
listen to the tunes, little words would be necessary.
28 year old Asaf Avidan is a Jerusalem
born & bred singer-songwriter. He released his acclaimed debut EP, Now
That You're Leaving, in 2006. Since then, Asaf has continued to write
and mold his experiences with broken love into personal, yet universally
relatable songs.
Touring Israel solo, with just a guitar
and harmonica, Asaf gathered a strong and devoted following across Israel,
and in the process gathered also the musicians who would become The
Mojos: (Asaf Avidan - vocals, guitar; Ran Nir - Bass; Roi Peled - lead
guitar; Yoni sheleg - drums; Hadas Kleinman - cello)
In late 2007, with growing interest
from the U.S. music industry, a New York tour was organized. Asaf Avidan
& the Mojos were invited to perform in NYC's M.E.A.N.Y Festival, and
were picked as one of six notable acts out of around 260 local and international
bands.
"Probably the greatest voice in
music today" - Kipp Elbaum - M.E.A.N.Y fest co-founder / nyrock.com
This close knit band of musicians and
friends went into the studio for the 1st time together in late 2007,
in a secluded village, and after two weeks of feverish recordings, "the
Reckoning" was brought to life. An album as timeless as they had imagined
it. Rock that rests upon the shoulders of blues and folk.
The album came out in April 2008 and
has gotten a tremendous and unprecedented embrace from the media and
music-lovers alike, reaching Gold album status and chosen by many, including
'TimeOut Tel Aviv', as Album of the Year. The band also won "Best newcomer
of the year" at the Israeli ACUM awards.
The band has been consistently touring
for almost three years, playing hundreds of shows in Israel and Europe.
'The Reckoning Tour' has sold out every show in Israel for 18 months,
and has gathered a feverish following of fans, of which many have been
to over a dozen shows, a trend that is now proving true across Germany
& Europe, with box-office ticket sales doubling from show to show.
"a rare performer... a must-see"
- Timeout Tel Aviv
Working independently, with no label,
no reality shows and no cellular companies backing them, the band relied
solely on the music to do the work. After performing in front of 20
dropped jaws in small neighborhood pubs only a couple of years ago,
Asaf & the Mojos have been consistently selling out every venue in Israel,
and are hailed by local and international media alike.
"When he opens his mouth, people
rub their eyes in disbelief - this magic continues all through the show,
enchanting every soul in the audience." - Ma'ariv (leading Israeli
newspaper) "
...a genuine, powerful voice, someone
who can sing, scream, whisper and surprise... Simply delicious music."
- Rolling Stone Mexico
"the birth of a legend" - Ha'aretz
(leading Israeli newspaper)
In July 2008 Asaf & the Mojos were handpicked
by Morrissey to be the opening act in Israel, and Asaf also opened for
The Gutter Twins, the supergroup consisting of Greg Dulli & Mark Lanegan.
In January 2009, the title track of
'The Reckoning', Reckoning Song, was distributed with Rolling Stone
Germany as part of its "New Noises" compilation.
The band's European career kicked off
in October 2008 with a live performance at Popkomm in Berlin. This one
gig created a tidal wave that has taken the European music scene by
storm. This summer the band launched its first big European tour, playing
almost 30 gigs in Germany, France, UK, Austria & Switzerland, including
major festivals such as Latitude and Frequency.
In August 2009, Asaf Avidan & the Mojos
signed a 4-album European license deal with Sony-Culombia's Berlin branch.
The bands' reaction:
"Sony-Columbia's legendary logo, which
decorates albums by Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and countless other music
icons, will now accompany our music as well. This is a dream come true
for five kids from Jerusalem who grew up with great faith and love for
music, and it's almost impossible to comprehend this honor. It's so
fulfilling to see that the hard work by the band and those around it
has made the impact we we're hoping for. It is important to emphasize
that this is but another stepping-stone in the band's ever-building
path, we have a long way to go. We are happy, honored and proud to now
call Sony-Columbia our home."
Willy Ehmann, Senior VP Sony Germany:
"When you first listen to Asaf Avidan
& The Mojos, you don't know what to expect, but you quickly conclude
to expect the unexpected from these guys. This is the sort of music
that draws its influences from the smoking joints of the 70's and the
anarchic attitude of punkrock. And if Jeff Buckley was still with us,
he would most likely join them live on stage. I am delighted that Asaf
Avidan and his Mojos have chosen SonyMusic's label Columbia-Berlin for
their home in this business."
Roie Avidan, band manager and CEO of
Telmavar Records:
"It is a privilege to join the Sony-Columbia
family, with its legendary roster, rich history and blooming present,
and I am sure that with this signing, our mutual future will be brilliant
as well."
If the recent year is any indication,
Asaf Avidan & the Mojos are here to stay. Rock&Roll needs revivement.
Rock that rests upon the shoulders of Blues and Folk, Rock that reminds
us what we all loved about music, when it was still about the music.
"The Reckoning", Asaf Avidan & the
Mojos' brilliant debut album, will be released across Europe starting
November '09 by Sony-Columbia. Till then, catch the band live or listen
to the music, at
www.myspace.com/findlovenow
& www.mymojolove.com
The band's second full album, Poor Boy/Lucky
Man, was released in Israel on 09/09/09, and is topping the charts from
week one.
Kontakt über KBK: Marion@kb-k.com
