Photo Credit: CNI Covello Nash Images
Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and alt-reggae rock artist Matisyahu has shared a new single and the official music video for “Ascent,” a social commentary pertaining to ongoing themes of anti-Semitism. The visual companion piece features personal footage from the musician’s recent visit to Israel interlaced with historical content.
The track and accompanying music video come after Matisyahu returned from his January visit to Israel, where he stopped by various communities affected by the October 7, 2023 bombings, including several kibbutzim and the grounds of the Nova Music Festival. On location, he met with festival survivors, hostage families, and soldiers and put on a sold-out benefit show for Bring Them Home.
“This song felt so good to write and record and has been one of the most powerful live moments since performing it on the Hold The Fire Tour,” shares Matisyahu via press release. “One of those undeniable moments where your mind and heart finally say, ‘thank you for saying that.’ Yes, we are the Jews and No, our light will not be put out.”
“Ascent” was produced by Easy Star Records’ Michael Goldwasser (Dub Side of the Moon, Radiodread, Ziggy Stardub), mixed by Grammy Award-winner Scott Jacoby (Lewis Black, Vampire Weekend, Rachel Platten) and mastered with the help of Robbie Robinson (Jason Mraz, Switchfoot). The official music video was produced by Adam Weinberg, directed by Yariv Horowitz, and edited by Shlomo Weprin.
Following a mirage of cancelations and protests that affected his cunningly titled Hold The Fire Tour, Matisyahu will return to Israel this weekend, where he will receive an award in Jerusalem on March 31 from The Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism for his advocacy for Israel since the start of the war. While there, Matisyahu will perform a pair of concerts on April 2 in Tel Aviv and April 3 in Jerusalem, respectively.
Stream “Ascent” now. Scroll down to watch the visual companion piece for the new single.
For more information on Matisyahu, visit his official website.
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