Laoise: Introduction to Nu? Musik!
26 February 2007

Laoise's introduction to Nu? Musik! will be a chance for you to hear some of the fantastic, vibrant and exciting new Jewish music tracks that have come out over the past 5 years. Laoise will also talk a little about the background to new Jewish music and its influences, from Klezmer and the voice of the cantor, to Bhangra, Hip Hop and even punk.

Laoise works for the Jewish Music Institute and is the driving force behind the Nu? Musik! project. Laoise first got the idea for developing workshops for new Jewish music when she realised that there are very few bands and artists involved in this scene in the UK, while in America the scene is really blossoming. She was inspired by seeing bands like Oi Va Voi, Socalled and Matisyahu. Having acted as a Judge on a Battle of the Bands event at New North London Synagogue, Laoise became aware that many talented young Jewish musicians were just not getting exposure to great new Jewish music, and so she developed the idea behind Nu? Musik! - to put Jewish music on the Cool Music Map!

Laoise plays fiddle and mandolin with House Klezmer Fusion band, GhettoPlotz, weaving the haunting and soul quenching melodies and motifs from the old Jewish shtetls in amongst the electronically generated, driving, mesmerising House and Break Beat rhythms. Laoise is also a Jazz, Yiddish and folk singer and is working on Arabic and Cantorial vocal styles. Laoise has performed with several Klezmer bands including Nomadica and She'Koyokh. She is currently working on a poetry / music performance piece with reknown Jewish Poet Leah Thorn. Laoise also performs jazz standards with Jazz quartet Zing. Laoise works with the Jewish Music Institute organising events including Simcha on the Square and Klez in the City, and developing new projects such as Nu? Musik!