Perf Spot: I’m sure you’re asked this question a lot, but could you enlighten our readers as to what your name, ‘Matisyahu’, means?  

Matisyahu: Matisyahu was the father of Judah Maccabee, who started a revolution against the Assyrian oppressors of the time. He led the revolt of the Maccabees who defeated this world power at the time who was heavily oppressing the Jews. It was a miracle when the Jews returned to the temple to re-dedicate it, that there was only one day’s worth of uncontaminated oil which ended up burning for 8 days. The number 7 symbolizes nature or natural occurance and 8 the infinite or miraculous, one above 7 being 8. I have also heard it interpreted as "gift of God."

Perf: Do you find it difficult to practice Hasidism while you’re on tour?

Matisyahu: My spiritual practice which is Judaism is centered around the concept of involvement in this world unlike many of the ascetic religions which their main object is the denial of this world. Judaism feels integration of the mundane and physical existance is the point of creation, to uplift this world and make it a place of holiness.

All of the early Hassidim were traveling around Eastern Europe on horse and buggy in order to meet with and encourage other Jews.  The Jewish people have always been a nation of wanderers due to the constant oppression so it sits in my blood to be traveling around.  In some sense the Jew feels almost like an alien in this world, that the whole this is not permanent. The only thing that is permanent is God who is invisible. Kind of a weird dichotomy we find ourselves in.

Perf: Your new album has a much more distinct hip hop feel to it than your previous albums, yet Billboard named you top Reggae artist in 2006.  Are you turning your back on your reggae roots?

Matisyahu: I am a lover of roots reggae and will always incorporate it into my music, however I do not feel I need to be limited into any one style of music. My decisions musically do not come from a logical place, they come from instinct, therefore if I want rock over a one-drop cause it feels right I'll do it or if I want to rock over some ill hip hop beat I'll do that. There are no rules when it comes to self expression.

Perf: We hear that you like to listen to Jay-Z on your headphones as you prepare for your shows.  Are there other artists or songs that inspire you?

Matisyahu: Midnight, Sizzla, Bjork, Sigur Ros, Flaming Lips, MGMT, Michael Jackson

Perf: Your live album seemed to get significantly more praise among fans and critics than the studio album.  To what do you attribute this success?

Matisyahu: The live album had the magic; it showed what we do live and the energy translated. The studio album was a bit rushed.

Perf: The track “Warrior” speaks to  listeners about a warrior who fights for the souls of mankind.  Are you making a specific reference to Jesus?   

Matisyahu: Hell no. Jesus was a Jew who the non-Jewish world made into a God. This song speaks of each individual on their journey who finds themselves out of place in this world. Judaism explains that the reason being their innermost point is not from this world.

Perf: On that same note, do you ever get frustrated at how in-depth your fans and critics analyze your lyrics?

Matisyahu: Not really, that's what they're there for.

Perf: How did you hook up with Norwood Fisher (of the famous L.A. ska-punk band Fishbone) and how did he contribute to the new album?

Matisyahu: David Kahne, the producer on my new album, produced pretty much all of the Fishbone records. He hadn't worked with them in years but when he heard a couple of the steppers rhythms on my album he said, "There's only one rhythm section who could do this right." They played on two songs on the record, ‘So Hi So Lo’ and ‘We Will Walk.’
 
Perf: PerfSpot has a strong international membership...what is your message to the youth of the world in these trouble times?

Matisyahu: Patience, compassion, understanding.  Don't claim to have any answers.

Matisyahu – Smash Lies

Check out Matisyahu on tour!

11.01.08  Rams Head Live!  Baltimore  MD 
11.02.08  Wellmont Theatre  Montclair  NJ 
11.03.08  Sixth & I / Sixth and I / 6th and I Historic Synagogue  Washington  DC 
11.04.08  Virginia Polytechnic Institute - Burruss Auditorium  Blacksburg  VA 
11.06.08  The NorVa  Norfolk  VA 
11.08.08  Variety Playhouse  Atlanta  GA 
11.09.08  House Of Blues - New Orleans  New Orleans  LA 
11.10.08  House of Blues - Houston  Houston  TX 
11.11.08  Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheatre  Austin  TX 
11.13.08  Palladium Ballroom  Dallas  TX 
11.15.08  Marquee Theatre  Tempe  AZ 
11.17.08  House of Blues - San Diego  San Diego  CA 
11.18.08  Club NOKIA L.A. Live  Los Angeles  CA 
11.19.08  California State University - Bell Memorial Union  Chico  CA 
11.20.08  The Grove of Anaheim  Anaheim  CA 
11.22.08  House Of Blues - Las Vegas  Las Vegas  NV 
11.23.08  Warfield Theatre  San Francisco  CA 
11.24.08  The Catalyst  Santa Cruz  CA 
11.26.08  Harry O's  Park City  UT 
11.29.08  Ogden Theatre  Denver  CO 
11.30.08  Fox Theatre and Cafe  Boulder  CO 
12.06.08  Headliners Music Hall  Louisville  KY 
12.07.08  Cannery Ballroom  Nashville  TN 
12.09.08  The Blue Note  Columbia  MO 
12.11.08  Bogart's  Cincinnati  OH 
12.14.08  House of Blues - Cleveland  Cleveland  OH 
12.16.08  The Phoenix Concert Theatre  Toronto  On 
12.17.08  Metropolis  Montreal  Qu 
12.18.08  Higher Ground  South Burlington  VT 
12.21.08  Webster Hall  New York  NY 
12.22.08  Webster Hall  New York  NY 
12.23.08  Webster Hall  New York  NY 
12.25.08  Webster Hall  New York  NY 
12.27.08  Music Hall of Williamsburg  Brooklyn  NY 
12.28.08  Music Hall of Williamsburg  Brooklyn  NY 
12.29.08  Music Hall of Williamsburg  Brooklyn  NY 
12.30.08  Music Hall of Williamsburg  Brooklyn  NY