A Shonde on Austinist
If you don't speak Yiddish, or never watched SNL's Coffee Talk, then it may be helpful to know that a shonde is a term used to envelop the many dimensions of shame: pity, disgrace, embarassment, etc. The Shondes are a New York based quartet that proudly boasts that -according to orthodox belief or even conventional society- they are in fact a bunch of shondes. Standing up for human rights, giving voice to radical queer communities, and condemning military occupation are all practices that can, sadly, be considered a shonde. In this day and age even!
Before we get too verklempt, we should tell you that their music is anything but a shonde. They jam with ethereal harmonies and infectious rhythms, oh, and they have a violinist. How can you hate on that? The Shondes go all out for audiences with their swift musical assault and onstage antics, providing a live show that's one ton of chutzpah with a dash of shiksappeal.
The four bandmates -Louisa Solomon (bass), Elijah Oberman (violin), Temim Fletcher (drums), Brannigan (guitar), Vocals (all, at one time or another)- came together over pickles, olives, chocolate babkas, and shared consternation over Israeli politics. The Shondes creation myth can be read here. For some aural evidence that The Shondes like to rip it up and a cocktail recipe go here ("Your Monster," by the way, is a pretty epic jam). The band has been touring relentlessly this summer and are currently in the midst of a southwest dip, rumor has it that they could be in Austin next month -we'll keep you posted. The Shondes, you'd be meshuggener not to check them out.
band pic ganked from The Shondes MySpace page
