Meanwhile, as Russia continues to wreak havoc in Ukraine, our dear Berlin-based and Kharkiv-born friend Yuriy Gurzhy has been very busy organising the cultural resistance: Besides touring with his new book "Richard Wagner und die Klezmerband. Der neue jüdische Sound in Deutschland" on contemporary Jewish music in Germany, he has been sharing regular and personal insights into the war on Ukraine via his 'Kriegstagebuch' ('war diary') for German daily newspaper Tagesspiegel, launched a defiant musical counterattack on the Russian Warship with The Anti-DicKtators and just unveiled a 29-track various artists 'charity' compilation to aid the Ukrainian cause.
"rusishe krigshif, shif zikh in dr’erd – Jewish Voices Condemn russia's War Against Ukraine" is now available to stream and buy via the Ukrainian artistic volunteer resource artdopomoga.com and features "a selection of 29 compositions by Jewish artists from around the world who are appalled by russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and its citizens." Volume One includes music by Amsterdam Klezmer Band, Frank London, Gogol Bordello and Tamir Muskat, Boogie Balagan, Alcohol Ukulele, Hazmat Modine, Anna Margolina Band, Geoff Berner, the aforementioned Anti-DicKtators, our very own Jewish Monkeys and many more, calling for an end to the aggression.
"As human beings we are shocked and outraged, we raise our voices to say, 'rusishe krigshif, shif zikh in dr'erd,'" which is Yiddish and roughly translates to ‘russian warship, go f*ck yourself'. "As musicians we realise that music can help in many different ways and this time we use it to raise funds for the 'Hospitallers', a volunteer organisation of Ukrainian paramedics," the release statement reads. That being said, this is a worthwhile cause to support. For $ 30.00 you receive 29 tracks and, more importantly, can help make a difference to end this atrocious violence and aid those in the front line. You can stream/buy the full release and make your donation via artdopomoga.com.
Editor's note: Due to the amount of artistic contributions made to Volume One, a second volume is likely in the making. We'll make sure to keep you posted.