On Dec. 10, 11 and 17, Matisyahu will perform his ‘Festival of Light’ shows, livestreamed from the historic Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y., marking his first full-band performances since Purim in late February 2020.
Performing on and around Hanukkah holds a special place in Matis’ heart, as his “first real gig'' in Brooklyn was a Hanukkah show at Southpaw. His ‘Festival of Light’ shows have grown from that, first into a New York City residency, then into a short tour. Now, the shows will once again take on a different format, performed in an empty venue with no audience. However, while he would certainly prefer if an audience could attend, Matisyahu finds that this setup will be fitting for the holiday and for the current moment.
“With just tons and tons of anxiety and darkness all around us, you find this whole concept of huddling around this menorah in your home,” he says. “It’s not a massive thing, it’s not a super big shiny thing, it’s something very humble and pure. And to huddle around that and find the light in those times when there’s this heavy darkness that’s just all around you--to me, that’s the main idea of Hanukkah. And I feel that that’s what we’re gonna be doing on the stage.”
In our conversation below, which came shortly after Matisyahu and his keyboardist Rob Marscher mapped out the setlists for each night, we discussed more on how this year’s ‘Festival of Light’ fits into Matis’ view of Hanukkah, as well as new music he has been working on at home, spending time with family and more.
We haven't really talked to you since quarantine has been going on. Prior to Festival of Lights, how have you been spending your quarantine? What have you been maybe, appreciating about things you’ve been able to do, and what has been hard about it?
Well, the first thing that happened during COVID was, having a bunch of recording sessions set up at the house, and I got one of them squeezed in right before COVID hit in February. And then my daughter was born, in a home birth, in March.
Wow, congratulations!
Thank you, man! Esti River. We live right here on the Hudson River, and she was born right here so it was pretty amazing. I guess you could say that, for the first time, really–I mean, I’ve had always time with my kids. I have five kids now, she’s my fifth. But to have the amount of time home, with no distractions, with my baby–has been just pretty amazing. And then other than that, I’ve been recording music. It gives me a lot of time to write lyrics and get into that writing space which was where I was sort of headed right before this, so it kind of actually lended itself to that as well. I think every other album I’ve done has–even when I’m taking time off to do an album–oftentimes, there’s been shows, and work that I just needed to take, in order to just keep everything going.
The albums have always been made amidst touring from the very first album. I mean, Youth was made in the midst of tours. So this is literally the first album that I’ve been able to sit still and fully focus. And because I’m doing it in the home studio, and it’s just been really nice. So that’s been great. Other than that, it sort of reminds me, in a way, of the whole process I went through when I shaved. I was sort of getting rid of all the extraneous forces in my life. I’ve sort of been in a process of doing that actually for some time. Just trying to focus in on, what are the core elements, and devote all the energy to those elements. And then COVID is kind of like that, times ten. We’re being forced to do that. So for me, it hasn't been a huge shock to the system because I’ve sort of been on that trip, for a little bit.
I think that some good things have come out of it for myself. I’m just trying to stay safe, just stay healthy. And it’s just horrible obviously, just trying to make it through, but it’s horrible what so many people have gone through with that. I’m just counting my blessings right now.
Well I guess one of the ways you’re able to connect with others is through the upcoming Festival of Lights performances. You grew up pretty nearby The Capitol Theatre, so I just wanted to hear a little about what went into the decision to have these shows there.
Well it’s actually a combination of things. I mean, like you said, The Capitol Theatre is sort of like my go-to place if I’m gonna go see music because I live in Nyack now, and I grew up in White Plains. So it’s just the home turf right there. When Peter [Shapiro] came back in, redid The Cap, and brought it back to life–it’s just an amazing thing for us, in a very, sort of personal way. Separate from the whole industry, the whole being on tour, the business of it, the work of it, and everything, wrapped up with Matisyahu.
I know when I’m home, coming back from tour, I’m always checking to see like, “Oh, this band is playing, I want to see them,” and I can always go there and just be totally chill. No one will mess with me, a couple people will say hi, and that’s it. It’s just awesome, and I’ve been playing shows there since they reopened. We’ve often times played these important shows, which were “homecoming” type shows that I’ve done there, and then Pete’s a great friend. The way it actually happened was like, my manager and I were talking about trying to do these shows and trying to figure out where the best place to be is. And literally on that day, Pete texted me and he’s like, “Dude, Happy Hanukkah!” and I’m like, that’s it. We’ve got to do it at The Capitol. And then boom boom boom, that’s how it went down.
It’s nice when it goes like that with real relationships. I’m stoked man. Obviously it’s not a hometown show in the sense that all my friends and family are going to be there, but it still feels like when you get in your car and you drive 12 minutes away. It feels like home.
Yeah, that’s awesome. And I’m sure feeling at home will be good, considering performing with no audience might be somewhat eerie.
You know what? I’ve been thinking about it before, because honestly when COVID started, I kind of made the decision to try and not do too many virtual types of shows. I think they’re great, and it’s great that I’ve been able to do some, but I just didn’t want to go overboard with it. So we only did a couple. I was looking at these pictures of bands playing in these big, empty arenas, and stadiums, and all kinds of stuff. And I was like, I don’t really get it. My thoughts now, as I’m getting closer to the show, I’m starting to think about what it’s going to be like. It seems like it’s gonna be kind of freeing and awesome, just having the theater to yourself, and being able to play.
It’s like when you play on TV. We’ve done a lot of late night TV shows and stuff, and there’s 100 people there or something. The energy is so different from playing a show, even knowing that there are people watching. But I’ll tell you the truth, I was speaking to Rob Marscher, the keyboard player, this morning, and we were talking about it and I was like, oftentimes, the lights are shining in your eyes. You’re playing in a festival with 20,000 people there, but you really can’t see anyone's face. You’re in the darkness on stage, and you’re just with your band. And as a frontman that’s always weird, because you’re supposed to be bridging the gap between the audience and the band. So to me, this is right up my alley because I often keep my eyes closed and just jump into my own world: the world of the band and stuff. So I feel like it’s gonna kind of be very natural actually. Kind of like, no pressure since the wrong type of pressure won’t be there.
Right. To me it kind of seems almost like a rehearsal vibe where, like you were mentioning, you and the band are the only ones there. So you can really explore the musical space, without the pressure of worrying like, “Oh, how big was that cheer?” or “What song do the fans want to hear?” You can totally craft your own experience, which is cool.
Exactly, yeah! I mean, I think that that’s going to be an interesting balance because you don’t want it to feel too chill because it’s not. It’s live, and it’s happening right there! There’s probably more people there than would be at an actual show. But at the same time, I think naturally it’s gonna feel pretty at home which I guess is the vibe. That’s what this year is all about, right?
Yeah, definitely. At least the way that I celebrate Hanukkah, it’s a very familial, home-based holiday. Like lighting the menorah is personal and intimate. So perhaps these shows will fit nicely into that sort of celebration.
I think so, I think you’re right there because Hanukkah has to be done in the home. The menorah is lit in the home. And it’s not like Purim, for example, where you got out to hear the Megillah. Or Simchat Torah, where you go out and dance with the Torah. Hanukkah is definitely a home type of theme, and it kind of makes sense. It feels right. Everyone huddled around the menorah in the darkest time.
Yeah, definitely. You mentioned Rob Marscher, who else will be playing with you for the show?
I have a great line-up. I mean, I’m so excited, literally to be playing music again. It’s the first time that I’ll be playing with the band, like full on, going for it. It’s Tim Keiper, drummer, who, before COVID, finished up on Broadway with David Byrne. Then, Rob Marscher on keys. Aaron Dugan has been my guitar player since Live at Stubb’s, back from the New School in college. And finally Jason Fraticelli on the bass, from Philadelphia.
Not to reveal any surprises but do you have any ideas of what you’re going to play? Are you gonna do any new songs that you’ve been working on or is it gonna be sort of a retrospective thing?
I’m not gonna do any of the new songs yet. I want to hold off on that. We’re gonna be playing a different set every night. Rob and I wrote up the setlist this morning and went through a bunch of songs. There’s definitely a lot of my songs that have the light theme in them “Darkness Into Light,” “I Will Be Light,” “Step Out Into the Light,” a lot of light themed, Hanukkah themed songs. So we’re gonna be doing that, but definitely jamming songs out. Playing the Hanukkah hits, playing all the songs people want to hear like the old stuff from Shake off the Dust, and Live at Stubb’s, some reggae tunes, and just a full mix every night. We’re not gonna be repeating too much night to night, we’re gonna be changing it up and keeping it along the lines of that whole jam style we do.
Going into the history of these gigs, The Festival of Light shows started out as residency in New York, and you’ve taken it on tour in the past. Now, of course, it will be in a different format. What have these shows meant to you and how have you seen them grow?
Well, I think the very first show I ever played in Brooklyn at Southpaw was on Hanukkah and it was a Hanukkah show. At that time it was like 2000, maybe 2003 or 2004. I mean, I had played some other little shows at shuls and stuff like that, but this was the first “real” gig. It was always this crowd of people–at least in New York–that were not necessarily identifying as Jewish, or certainly not religious but looking for something to do on Hanukkah and Purim.
I feel like I just stepped into that spot. I was ready, I had been cultivating this kind of mixture of reggae and golden-era hip-hop that I grew up on, and the spirituality and the religion I was learning in Crown Heights at the time was bubbling, and ready. And with my connections from The New School where I went with some really great musicians, and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe where I used to do the open mic night and stuff, I had met some good people so I had this great trio. This band was just so good, and they started doing shows with me.
Hanukkah at the Southpaw was the first one and then every year after that. As things blew up very quickly, it was always a thing that we always came back to; festival, Hanukkah, Hanukkah, New York, Hanukkah, New York. We built it out a little bit, but to be able to not take the year off and be able to do it this year, and do it in the way that we can do it in the best possible way is awesome. To have it at The Capitol Theatre is just the icing on the cake, it’s perfect. And you know what? I always feel like our best shows have been shows where we come back after not playing for a while and taking a break from a heavy tour. I feel like those are always the best shows. I don’t know if it’s that way with every band. We literally haven’t played music since Purim, and we’re gonna explode on these shows.
I would imagine that excitement you guys have is gonna almost overcome the crowdlessness.
I think so, it’s gonna be so pure and music centered. Just about the love of being able to make music and as much as I love having an audience, the interaction and the energy from people and I can’t wait for that moment again, that moment isn’t here yet. In the meantime, this is the first step for me at least because there are other bands that have played together, especially in the jam scene, but we haven’t played. We haven’t played music fully as a band with a kit and lights and all that since Purim, so that’s the longest I’ve gone without playing music since my career started like fifteen years ago or whatever. It’s gonna be awesome, I can’t wait.
I’m curious about what your consumption of music or anything has been really during the pandemic, like what have you been listening to? Have you been tuning into any of the livestreams? Like, did you watch any of Trey Anastasio’s ‘The Beacon Jams,’ or have you been like you said, sort of focusing on your family and on your own stuff?
Yeah, I’ve been pretty much in somewhat of a total home-body mode, and focused on my art. Like I said I’ve been recording a lot, so basically that’s been the focus. I find that the time leading up to the recording, and for me that’s been quite a few years now, is all about listening and consuming the music that’s out there, because that’s hugely important to me, at least in terms of my creative process. But the last six months or so have been pretty much focused inwards on the music that I’m making. Leading up to that, I started listening to a lot of artists from like the UK grime scene and some from the African- afrobeat/dance hall/Drake kinda thing that’s happening. I don’t know what the term is for that, I’m sure there’s tons of categories on Spotify but they have the right terms for it. Going back to some of the classics and a lot of the roots reggae and a lot of dub music and stuff like that.
I’ve definitely been listening to a lot of music. But I would say that exploring some of those new genres that are blending and mixing different forms and a lot of it is Carribean influenced, which kind of really makes sense for me, I understand that music. So when it goes into different realms, I’m just so stoked to see it bring different styles together. It works for me in terms of where popular music is right now, because it’s kind of crossing through all these different places that I love.
Yeah, absolutely. Looking ahead, there’s been a lot of good news coming about the vaccine and stuff but it also seems like there’ll be at least a few more months of limited live opportunities. Do you see yourself doing any more livestreams or drive-in shows or anything, or will you kind of go back to the recording mode?
I’m not a scientist, I don’t know, but I’m hoping that in Spring/Summer of 2021, we’re gonna be able to play shows with an audience. That seems to me where we’re heading. Obviously we have no idea what the fuck is gonna happen with this virus and the vaccine. Are we gonna be attacked by aliens this year? Who the hell knows! Nothing would surprise me, but I feel like it’s in our very near horizon that we’re gonna be back out there playing live music for people.
I’m just stoked to try to get this record finished up—I think is gonna be one of the best records I’ve ever made, and get back out there again, start fuckin’ touring, playing some shows. After this Festival of Light, I don’t know how many more virtual things we’re gonna do. My guess is this is probably it until we get back out there.
We miss playing shows. It’s been tough, but that’s such a small sacrifice— such a small price to pay compared to what people are going through in terms of people that have lost family members and are really really struggling. I definitely miss playing shows, but I think it’s gonna come back soon.
Yeah, I think so too, I hope so. Is there anything else you wanted to mention or highlight?
I’ll just mention Hanukkah. As we’ve been chatting, the whole thing makes a lot of sense: the story of Hanukkah, the darkness, the light. In the time of darkness, which you always find Hanukkah in at this time of year, where it’s like literally getting dark at three o’clock in the afternoon, and especially this year, with just tons and tons of anxiety and darkness all around us, you find this whole concept of huddling around this menorah in your home. It’s not a massive thing, it’s not a super big shiny thing, it’s something very humble and pure. And to huddle around that and find the light in those times when there’s this heavy darkness that’s just all around you-- to me, that’s the main idea of Hanukkah.
I feel that that’s what we’re gonna be doing on the stage. As if the instruments and the stage itself is the menorah and we’re coming through this time of darkness, we’re just gonna be huddling around these instruments, and playing music in a way that a flame would. In a pure way, with no audience there, well not officially, but knowing that everyone is active. So it just feels like somehow this Hanukkah is big.
2020 is something that really feels very, very pure and real. Hanukkah to me, the concept of Hanukkah, the idea of it also feels so pure and real. You know what I’m saying? It shines! The whole idea of Hanukkah is light that shines in the darkness. It’s not about the light in the light, just sometimes the sun shines. You just jump into the sunlight and you’re just there, as it warms your whole body. But this is a very different type of light. This is the light where it’s just tons of darkness all around, and it’s a very small amount of light.
Yeah, and it’s something you hold onto I guess.
Yeah, it shines so hard when the darkness is so prevalent. That’s the year we’re all having, so everyone is huddled up around their menorahs, and grabbing onto the purest things in their lives that will get them through this.
