The best of Asaf Avidan and the Mojos

Nostalgia for the Israeli Indie Rock messiah

The epitome of Asaf Avidan and the Mojos' meteoric rise to fame can be exemplified by this particular instance:

At their first show, I arrived late without ordering tickets upfront. I paid approximately 40 ILS at the entrance and went in without any issues.

However, at their next concert in Haifa, I did the same thing just a few months later and encountered a HUGE queue that extended from the cashiers to the end of the sidewalk outside the club. Unfortunately, it was too late; all the tickets were SOLD OUT.

Besides Avidan's unique voice, which garnered significant attention, with many drawing comparisons to the iconic musician Janis Joplin, his life story seems also quite remarkable: Avidan was born in Jerusalem, and his upbringing was unique due to his parents' diplomatic career, which led to him spending four years of his childhood in Jamaica. Additionally, he served in the Israeli army but was released after 10 months of service due to mental health issues.

During his early twenties, Asaf was diagnosed with lymphoma cancer, a challenging chapter in his life from which he eventually recovered. After his recovery, he resided in Tel Aviv, where he worked as an animator. However, a difficult breakup with his long-time girlfriend prompted him to change significantly. He quit his job, moved back to Jerusalem, and devoted himself to extensive songwriting.

Over time, Asaf gathered a group of musician friends who would later become his renowned backing band: The Mojos.

Asaf Avidan and the Mojos' debut album, "The Reckoning," initially released in 2008 through a small, self-owned indie label, quickly garnered attention and was subsequently acquired by Sony-Columbia Records.

Avidan signed with the label for three additional albums. The single "Weak" from the album gained significant recognition and was chosen as the title song for the film "L'Arbre" by Julie Bertuccelli. The movie, starring Charlotte Gainsbourg, was the closing film at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010.

However, Asaf Avidan and the Mojo's most famous song is undoubtedly "Reckoning Song," which shares the title with their debut album.

Its popularity soared thanks to a German remix that became an instant party hit. During my Erasmus semester in Warsaw, I vividly recall hearing this remix played at practically every party I attended. There was even a memorable moment during a trip from Warsaw to Krakow, where I found myself strolling through the streets of the old town with a group of Turkish friends. Suddenly, one of the girls began singing the song's chorus ("One day, baby..."). When I inquired about it, she had no idea that Asaf Avidan was the performer or that he was an Israeli artist. She had picked up the song at a party, which had stuck in her head. Although this occurred in 2013, the song is strongly associated with the previous decade.

Asaf Avidan and the Mojos became synonymous with self-made success in the Israeli press. They were regarded as pioneers of a new wave of Israeli musicians who chose to write and sing in English rather than Hebrew, and they were likely the first among them to achieve mainstream success in the Holy Land.

The names of Avidan and his band were featured prominently in the mainstream press, including newspapers, TV, and radio.

Other acts within the same genre, such as Roy Rieck and the Medley Band, were frequently compared to them, and were seen as part of the same trend.

Soon after, the band embarked on European tours, expanding their reach and captivating audiences in new territories.

As is often the case in the music industry, success itself can bring its own challenges and, in a way, mark the beginning of the end for some artists.

The band's third album, "Through the Gale," appeared to grapple precisely with that notion. It was a concept album that metaphorically depicted a journey through a storm. While less personal than its predecessors, the album showcased a more intricate and slightly psychedelic sound.

Personally, I found this album to be even more enjoyable than the previous one, particularly due to the inclusion of this remarkable track called “Oh Western Wind”.

Asaf Avidan and the Mojos disbanded in 2011.

Three of the Mojos members, Ran Nir (bass), Yoni Sheleg (drums), and Roi Peled (guitar), embarked on their own musical journey as The Wrong Demons.

The fourth Mojo, the talented cello player Hadas Kleinman, joined forces with singer and guitarist Aviv Bachar to collaborate on a joint album recorded in Hebrew.

As for Asaf himself, he embarked on a solo career, releasing two more albums titled "Different Pulses" and "Golden Shadow.”

These albums showcased his exploration of a more psychedelic sound. I had the opportunity to watch him perform in several concerts after that.

While it was not quite the same as his time with the Mojos, there was still something special about his solo performances.

It felt like he had lost something after parting ways with the band, reminiscent of how Jimi Hendrix lost something after parting ways with his “Experience” bandmates.

Nonetheless, his solo work is still good enough, to my taste, showcasing his artistic growth and musical versatility.