David Margulis is a dentist by day and a Jewish rock star by night. As the bassist for the innovative Jewish band Ev?n Sh’siyah, Margulis and his six band members prove that a foundation steeped in religion and a shared love of music can be combined to produce something creative, original and fun.
The Chicago-based band was formed over a decade ago, with a business deal bringing lawyer/guitarist Elisha Prero and Margulis together. A shared interest in music led to the duo attending a particularly exciting concert and consequently, deciding to start a band. The rest of the group, including guitarists Ely Cooper and Mitch Jacoby, drummer Matt Kanter, percussionist Zev Goldberg, and Mark Freedman on keyboards, formed through a series of what could be called “divine interventions,” and soon Ev?n Sh’siyah was created. Referring to the random way in which the band was formed, Margulis said, “It’s amazing the way we started, and how we’ve stayed together for so long.” Not long after forming, the band gave their first performance during Purim, a festive Jewish holiday. As part of the celebrations, the group channeled their favorite musicians of the ’60s and ’70s, performing covers in a rock music format. Receiving positive feedback, the band decided to expand its musical creativity and began writing original melodies.
Ev?n Sh’siyah, meaning “foundation stone,” is considered so innovative because the band’s music is imaginatively set against lyrics inspired by traditional Jewish texts. The classically religious aspect of the music is juxtaposed by their melodies inspired by a plethora of music, including folk, rock, Mid-Eastern and jazz, creating a sound that entertains as well as represents the rich Jewish culture possessed by the band members. This combination has proven successful for the band, providing substance for substantial recognition throughout the U.S. and Israel. Ev?n Sh’siyah’s first album, … through your gates, Jerusalem was made on a whim, when Prero traded legal work for free studio time at a local recording studio. Popular around Chicago, the album was made available for sale on Amazon.com, as well as in Jewish bookstores. The Way Jews Rock, the group’s second album, also experienced success in the market. CD sales were supplemented by radio play and a variety of shows, where the band played gigs at Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the Skokie Festival of Cultures and the Greater Chicago Jewish Folk Arts Festival, among other venues. With the pending release of Ev?n Sh’siyah’s third CD, an album five years in the making, the band is testing their creativity and trying out some new methods. The album, scheduled for release in about a month, was recorded on equipment in the band’s personal space. It will, unlike their past album endeavors, include songs sung in English as well as Hebrew.
The fact that their latest recordings were done at home serves as illustration for the true spirit of Ev?n Sh’siyah. Supplementing their creative talent, religious background and musical innovation, Ev?n Sh’siyah is fundamentally a group of guys having fun doing what they love. “There’s a sense of a second family within the band,” Margulis said. “Playing is mentally therapeutic for all of us.” This bond of friendship has stood the test of time, supporting the late-night practices and long hours of music business, all of which are conducted after the daily responsibilities of work, carpooling, and family time.
The fact that each member of the band has a life outside of the music makes every gig a special event. According to Margulis, “We’re all in our forties and fifties and have jobs, families, lives. Going to Madison is a big deal!” While they do not have the opportunity to perform far from the Chicago area often, they make the most of it when they do, drawing a crowd of different backgrounds and age groups. “It’s amazing how music bridges the gap between generations,” said Margulis, “I’m able to talk to my younger patients and am able to relate. I like to say that I may not be the best dentist in the Chicago area, but I definitely have the best music collection of any dentist in the Chicago area.”
It is evident in Ev?n Sh’siyah’s recordings and in speaking to the band members that they love playing, and they love their Jewish heritage. Their sheer enjoyment of playing is evident in each song, and their strong backgrounds shine through in their lyrics and stage presence. The band is playing today, Monday, at 4:30 p.m. in the Rathskeller at Memorial Union, giving Madison a chance to experience the innovative, fun-loving nature that is Ev?n Sh’siyah. More information on the band, as well as song samples, is available on the group’s website, www.thewayjewsrock.com.
