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Summer means more Friday concerts for Matisyahu.
The reggae singer's Hasidic Jewish faith means he has to call it a day when the sun goes down on Friday, the start of the Jewish Shabbat, or Sabbath. But summer festival season gives him opportunities to play early Friday sets. And Friday, while crowds are rocking out to Stephen Malkmus and Public Enemy, he'll be reflecting and reading in his trailer.
"The biggest difference is my phone and e-mail isn't on. I feel a little guilty not working," Matisyahu said in an interview before a show in Portland, Ore. "Everything being off limits makes it really simple and easy in terms of just letting go."
Matisyahu (born Matthew Miller), listened to early '90s radio and his parents' classic rock as a young man before discovering reggae through Bob Marley. The Old Testament angle in Marley songs, like "10,000 Chariots" and "Zion Train," show the Rastafarian movement's connection to Zion (Israel for Jews, Africa for Rastafarians). From there the reggae to Jewish culture isn't much of a leap.
"The first time I heard Bob Marley was a spiritual experience for me," Matisyahu said. "The lyrics and references were intriguing and made me more interested in the Old Testament. The music itself is pretty meditative, it brings you to another space."
If you want a chance to meet Matisyahu, keep an eye on his Twitter account (@matisyahu). On the day of concerts he usually gives out free tickets and often asks if fans in the area want to hang out.
"It lets people get into your world a little bit," Matisyahu said. "So far it's been fun, not out of hand. A few people answer, and it gives me a way to connect with fans in different cities. I recently asked if anyone was around and had a bicycle. I ended up taking a two-hour bike ride, hanging out with some new fans."
