Orphaned Land frontman Kobi Farhi has written an open letter to one of his heroes, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, urging the US musician to bring his band to Israel for the first time.
Earlier this summer, Vedder was accused by the Jerusalem Post of making a “harsh anti-Israel diatribe” following an onstage speech referencing the conflict in Gaza. A prominent Israeli rock DJ, Ben Red, then published an open letter to Vedder telling him to stay away from Israel as his “true face has finally been revealed.” But Kobi Farhi’s own open letter takes a rather different tack. The message follows below.:
Dear Eddie Vedder
I hope this open letter finds you well.
I thought that reaching 100,000 views for the cover of ‘Jeremy’ I did with my friends might be a good reason to write you.
We’ve never met Eddie, you don’t really know me. However, on Facebook I’m always told I look like you. Add the fact that I’m a musician too, I always knew that you and me, big or small stars, we are made and sent from the same solar system. I’ve always been your fan.
When I was a teenager back in the 90’s, it was always a well known and such an appreciated fact that Pearl Jam are one of those bands who cares about their fans before anyone else. We remember how you fought for the tickets prices to be fair or how you never sold yourself out for some big sponsors. Ever since those days, up until that moment right now, we in Israel have never had the chance to see you guys live.
As someone who was always so much into his own fans, you probably saw the amazing page Bring Pearl Jam To Israel. I can’t remember seeing anywhere in the history of music such a beautiful movement of fans calling the band they love with cover versions, paintings, photos, tattoos; people took everything that is beautiful in music out there. That was the most creative, colourful, loving call I have ever seen for a band, yet we’ve never heard any word from you, though we still believe that you are that dude from the 90’s, and the same way you always moved us, we feel that it’s our duty to move you too.
Eddie – Music is a cure, music enters our hearts, brings tears to our eyes, gives us hopes in moments of fear, it’s a simple light in a twisted darkness; music is the best gift of the universe. Nothing new here – you know it.
Yes, bad things are happening in many places in this world, and that’s the reason we need to be together, sing with our eyes closed, hearts open and our faces towards the stars. It is needed now more than ever. It’s your duty, as well as ours.
If music is the greatest form of harmony, can you agree with me that it’s mostly needed in places that suffer from disharmony?
It has nothing to do with supporting governments or being one sided in conflicts. It’s about you and your fans, people whom you entered their hearts like a bullet of never ending flame.
Mercedes Sosa RIP always sang those amazing words of a famous song: “Ci se calla el cantor, calla la vida” – If the singer is silent, life will be silenced.”
Eddie, my friend whom I’ve never met – come to the promised land, bring your light, be our Moses for a few hours, let us hear you, let us sing with you.
Think about what I wrote here, please.
Yours sincerely,
Kobi Farhi
Orphaned Land
Orphaned Land’s latest album “All Is One” was released in North America on June 25 [one day earlier internationally] via Century Media Records. The cover artwork for the follow-up to 2010’s “The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR” was created by the French artist Metastazis [Paradise Lost, As I Lay Dying, Sonne Adam, Watain] by perfectly incorporating the three biggest religious symbols into one piece of art.
“All Is One” was mixed by Jens Bogren [James Labrie, Devin Townsend Project, Opeth] and was recorded in three different countries: Israel, Turkey and Sweden. Ironically, these countries are Jewish, Muslim and Christian, respectively, which strengthens the Orphaned Land message of unity through music. Over 40 musicians were used to flesh out the sound of “All Is One”, including 25 choir singers and eight classical violin, viola and cello players from Turkey.
To read our review for “All Is One”, click here.
An unique version of Pearl Jam‘s ‘Jeremy’ recorded by members of Orphaned Land and their friends in an effort to Bring Pearl Jam To Israel was released in November of last year. Check it out below.
As previously reported Orphaned Land are also about to hit our stages to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their sophisticated concept album “Mabool”. Starting October 30th in France, singer Kobi Farhi is much exited to play all songs of the “Mabool” album to the European crowd. Dates and locations are listed below.
Orphaned Land also recently announced that they will support Blind Guardian as special guest on their Euro Tour 2015.
Mabool’s 10th Anniversary Special Tour:
30.10. F Strasbourg, La Laiterie Club
31.10. GER Frankfurt, Nachtleben
01.11. GER Gera, Sächsicher Bahnhof
02.11. CH Pratteln, Z7 Mini
03.11. F Paris, Le Divan Du Monde
04.11. UK Leicester, Firebug
05.11. UK Manchester, Academy 3
06.11. IRE Dublin, Voodoo
07.11. UK London, The Dome
08.11. NL Apeldoorn, Gigant Brainstorm Festival
Blind Guardian Euro Tour 2015
10.04.15 NL Eindhoven, Effenaar
11.04.15 BE Antwerps, Borgerhout Trix Zaal
12.04.15 UK London, The Forum
14.04.15 F Paris Bataclan
15.04.15 F Strasbourg La Laiterie
17.04.15 ES Bilbao, Santana 27
18.04.15 ES Barcelona, St Jordi Club
19.04.15 ES Madrid, La Riviera
21.04.15 CH Pratteln , Z7
23.04.15 DE Trier, Europa Halle
24.04.15 DE Frankfurt/Main, Batschkapp
25.04.15 DE Duesseldorf, Mitsubishi Hall
26.04.15 DE Bamberg, Brose Arena
28.04.15 DE Munich, Zenith
30.04.15 DE Leipzig, Haus Auensee
01.05.15 DE Stuttgart, Liederhalle Beethoven Saal
02.05.15 DE Hamburg, O2 World
05.05.15 IT Milan, Alcatraz
06.05.15 IT Rome, Atlantico
For more info and tickets: www.brainstormfestival.com
Video below ‘Bring Pearl Jam To Israel – Jeremy’
Related articles:
Orphaned Land – “All is One” [Album Review]
‘Pearl Jam’ Cover By Members Of ‘Orphaned Land’ And Friends, Video Available [Nov. 2013]
‘Orphaned Land’ And ‘Yossi Sassi’ Part Ways, Statement Available [Jan. 2014]
‘Orphaned Land’ to play Exclusive Show at ‘Brainstorm Festival’ Nov. 8th. 2014 [May 2014]
Yossi Sassi – “Desert Butterflies” [Album Review]
‘Orphaned Land’ Confirmed as Special Guest for ‘Blind Guardian’s’ Euro-Tour 2015 [June 2014]
An Interview with ‘Yossi Sassi’ (ex ‘Orphaned Land’) [June 2014]
‘Orphaned Land’ Unplugged in Utrecht’s Synagogue, Video Available [July 2014]
‘Orphaned Land’ Music Video Released for ‘Let The Truce Be Known’, “Mabool” 10th Anniversary European tour Kicks off Oct. 30th. [Aug. 2014]