Haran

"A gilt-edged masterpiece." -- Jewish Week

"Best Middle East Peace Plan." -- Village Voice

"I want more of this band, much more." -- Global Rhythm

"A sound both hypnotic and charged." -- Washington Post

"Fuses Middle Eastern and Jewish sounds with a dark, indie pop sensibility." -- All Music Guide

Following Matisyahu's dramatic crossover from the Jewish market into the secular world, the most popular female New York Jewish musical artist is ready to break out! Haran features catchy songs that blend a Middle Eastern sound with contemporary hooks and a folk/pop mentality. Easy to dance to, it works for all audiences. Blending a psychedelic sensibility and a pan-Mediterranean sensuality, Basya Schechter leads her band through swirling Hasidic chants, Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, and spiritual stylings filtered through percussion, flute, strings, and electronica. Her sound has been cultivated by her Hasidic music background and a series of trips to the Middle East, Africa, Israel, Egypt, Central Africa, Turkey, Kurdistan, and Greece. She has recorded four albums: three with Pharaoh's Daughter and one instrumental exploration with Persian santur player Alan Kushan. Over the past two years, Schechter was the recipient of numerous compositional and project grants from the New York State Council of the Arts, American Composers Forum, and American Music Center.