MM – The Raw Men Empire

Today I’m proud to announce a first for Music Monday: A bunch of freakin’ Israeli Hipsters. The band’s name is The Raw Men Empire, and their album is called Elodie.

Elodie means something ancient and foreign. It comes from French and Greek and means ‘marsh flower’, so says the men of The Raw Men Empire. It’s a name that only elitist, educated hipsters would use. Can you tell that I like them already?

I am as surprised as you are that indie Israeli bands exist. The only Israeli music I know is the shitty shitty middle eastern/pop fusion that makes its way over to impressionable young Jewish American teenagers. But finally, after all my years of self-loathing I have a reason to like Israel.

The Raw Men Empire provide some type of freak-folk. I think. They sound a bit like Devendra Banhart and Joanna Newsom. And I’m certainly diggin’ it.

Here are my two favorite tracks. The first is an awesome low-fi track, harking back to the likes of Guided by Voices. The beat boxing and yelling only add to its raw feel. I like it raw. As do the Raw Men, within their raw empire of raw emotion.

The Raw Men Empire – town full of sinners by hipsterjew

The second track’s defining moment is the addition of the horns. Although much slower, they do a wonderful job building up to the eerie guitar picking, until it breaks like the Mediterranean waves on the shores of Tel Aviv.

The Raw Men Empire – between you and me (radio edit) by hipsterjew

When I travel this winter on my free international Zionist propaganda/birthright trip to Israel, I may have to track these guys down. Because I have a feeling that Tel Aviv, where they hail from, is one freakishly hip/secular city. Do you think they’d be willing to drink PBR with me?

I give em 3 Halls out of 5 Oates

You can download their EP here. And if you like what you hear, throw a few bucks their way. It ain’t cheap making an EP, and sadly I doubt a U.S. tour is in the near future.