Monday, September 30, 2019

New national reviews of Social Media Anxiety Disorder

From the forthcoming issue of Goldmine (national print magazine)

"Dan Israel has a storied resume. With 15 albums to his credit, he’s made his mark as a gifted singer and songwriter of exceptional ability. Recorded at two studios in his Twin Cities environs, his new record, Social Media Anxiety Disorder is strikingly different from his earlier efforts in some distinct
ways and in others, a return to his rock ‘n’ roll roots. The cover alone makes it look like a collection of radio-ready hits from decades past and indeed, it finds Israel dabbling in a very
diverse pop pastiche. While every song in the set is distinct and distinctive, all share a common cause, that is, to replay a classic sound that remains the essence of a reliable rock repast. As a result, the collection offers a wide swath of sounds, from the snarky sensibilities of, say, Elvis
Costello, to hints of supreme psychedelia, to straight-ahead hook-filled rockers and over the top anthems. That makes Social Media Anxiety Disorder smart, savvy and a clear reflection of Israel’s ability to combine memorable melodies with an irrepressible attitude." - Lee Zimmerman
dan israel

social media anxiety disorder
(self-released)
After twenty-plus years, Minneapolis singer/songwriter (and, for us old-timers, ex-leader of Potter’s Field) Dan Israel has proven himself an expert at navigating the wide-open field between power pop and roots rock. On his fifteenth LP, he’s expanded his reach. The moody “Still I’m Lost” and knotty “125” dive straight into psychedelia, while “Here For Today” nods to the Faces and “Just Can’t Take It” folds synth-pop into his milieu. “Just Can’t Take It Revisited” even makes a successful stab at experimental rock. That’s on top of sterling Americana like “Tired” and sparkling power pop like “Be My Girl.” Spreading his wings has led Israel to his best album yet. (danisraelmusic.com) – Michael Toland, for The Big Takeover magazine

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

A Long, Strange Trip

This is a thing I wrote a few years ago - if you dislike the Grateful Dead and frown on discussions of drug use, it is probably not for you. All names have been removed, and who knows, maybe it's not even autobiographical (unlikely, but you never know)

:-)

A Long, Strange Trip

He finally got going on his way to work on a Friday morning in early August. His body was aching and he was moving slowly all morning.

Like he often did, he tackled necessary projects that he nevertheless didn't have any time to take on in the morning - this morning's project was to run vinegar through the clogged coffee maker several times. It worked, but it ate up about 10 minutes of his morning that he should have been using to get ready. Increasingly, though, on some mornings lately, he just COULDN'T get going. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried to "hurry up," he couldn't anymore...he would just...move....around...the...apartment....taking...his....time.

He had another gig that night that he had to go to straight from work, and it was going to be a pretty big show, so he wanted to make sure he had a backup guitar with him too, in case he broke a string or something. So that meant he had even more crap to move, and that he had to make TWO trips down to the garage where his car was parked, and between his snail-like pace, the putzy elevator (set for elderly people, so it took FOREVER just to go one floor), and the automatic door that inched open, his timing was now off and he was running late for work, yet again.

He finally got everything loaded into his car and settled down into his seat, marking the first time since he had gotten out of bed that he had sat down and relaxed. He rested comfortably for a few seconds, savoring the fact that he was no longer schlepping shit out to his car. His back hurt. His stomach hurt. His life hurt, but he knew it had gotten better lately, not worse. That was a plus. As he pulled out of the garage and driveway and out onto morning-sun-splashed Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park, his hometown-that-he-only-left-for-7-years-and-then-moved-back-because-it-was-a-constant-and-felt-comfortable (and of course, was where so many family members and friends and acquaintances resided, which of had its upsides and downsides ), he popped in the Dead's American Beauty.

Feeling like he really wanted to capture that joyous experience he'd been having lately while driving in to work in the morning - the world felt so full of possibility some mornings, and the sky was gorgeous on some days - he had grabbed the classic 1970 Grateful Dead album out of the stack of discs in his bedroom and put it on the bed to take with in the car. As he was about to lock the door on his way out, he remembered that he had left it on the bed and ran in to grab it and throw it in his grungy, double-paper-bag-from-Byerly's "work bag."

As he made his circuitous way down Excelsior Boulevard to Lake Street to Dean Parkway and then around Lake of the Isles, he popped the disc in and soon Box of Rain nearly overwhelmed him, emotionally....

"Just a box of rain,
wind and water,
Believe it if you need it,
if you don't just pass it on...
Sun and shower,
Wind and rain,
in and out the window
like a moth before a flame

And it's just a box of rain,
I don't know who put it there,
Believe it if you need it,
or leave it if you dare,
But it's just a box of rain,
or a ribbon for your hair,
Such a long long time to be gone,
and a short time to be there"

And then - he was transported.

He was no longer 44 years old and trudging his way in to the same drab job he'd been trudging into for 20 years now. He was 18 or 19 years old, camping with his two best friends from high school in a tent in Wisconsin, on a trip to the Alpine Valley Music Theater to see BOTH the Who and the Grateful Dead, who would be playing there within 3 days of each other. They couldn't believe how awesome this was going to be. They would smoke a LOT of weed and be free - truly free - for a few days. Who knows, they might even do acid. What the hell, right?

They had all been back in the Twin Cities for their first summer after college and were all working boring, crappy jobs, but now they were at Alpine Valley and were going to see two of the greatest bands ever. They were together, which made the 3 of them happy lately. They had gone to different colleges, but the bond between them seemed to only strengthen after a school year away from each other. Their trio was solid. It worked. They were comfortable together and made each other crack up and they smoked pot together and had even started playing music together, although the other two guys, to be honest, couldn't really play bass and drums all that well. But the point was, they had started jamming, and it was fun (and loud).

And now, they were at their campsite, and he had brought psilocybin mushrooms for all of them, and they ate them, choking them down despite the not-so-vague hints of manure in the nasty-tasting (but somehow slightly nourishing) fungi. And they felt - nothing. 15 minutes went by. Zippo. They decided to take a walk, all of them disappointed that the 'shrooms were apparently "duds." About five minutes into the walk, everything started to go wavy, for all of them, at once. Suddenly the grass under their shoes was alive, the trees were alive, the leaves were pulsing, the ground was rippling, everything was FLOWING...and it all felt so PEACEFUL and GOOD. And they laughed now - especially at how they had all feared they had gotten ripped off and been sold worthless merchandise. No, this stuff was for real. And they were carried off by the feeling of the moment. They soared. Eventually, they headed back to their tent, where he got out his guitar and played and played and they sang and sang along and this went on for hours, jamming, the other guys clapping and drumming along on objects when necessary....floating along for hours on a tide of music and good feelings....

And then...he pulled into the parking ramp at work. And the fantasy was over. He was 44 again, and that wasn't so terrible either, necessarily. There were just SO MANY obligations now. All the time. Constantly. Still, he thought, it certainly had been very nice to go back there for a little while, to that summer of 1989, in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. He might have to visit that memory more often in the future.



Monday, April 15, 2019

Dan Israel - BUSY SPRING/SUMMER/FALL 2019

Thursday, April 25 - Dan plays solo at Forager Brewing in Rochester, MN, 7 pm to 10 pm, no cover https://www.facebook.com/events/806237576404106/

Wednesday, May 1 - Dan plays solo at Copperwing Distillery in St. Louis Park, MN, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, no cover  https://www.facebook.com/events/390594598388810/

Friday, May 3 - Dan plays the Tavern Lounge in Northfield, MN, 8 pm to 11 pm , no cover!  https://www.tavernofnorthfield.com/live-music


Saturday, May 4 - Dan plays the Midwest Regional Music Festival in Winona, MN!  7 pm at Blooming Grounds, https://www.bgcoffeehouse.com/

Thursday, May 9 - Dan plays solo at the new St. Louis Park American Legion (American Legion SLP Post 282) at 6509 Walker Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 (right near the SLP High School), from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, come check out this cool new music venue!  https://www.facebook.com/American-Legion-SLP-Post-282-344979530024/ 

Friday, May 17 - Dan plays solo at Excelsior Brewing in Excelsior, 7 pm, no cover, https://www.facebook.com/events/2272378016377113/

Friday, May 24 - Dan plays solo at St. Paul Brewing (formerly known as Flat Earth Brewing) in St. Paul, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.flatearthbrewing.com/

Thursday, May 30 - Dan plays solo out on the patio at Palmer's Bar on the West Bank in Mineapolis, no cover, 7 pm to 9 pm, https://www.palmersbar.net/

Friday, May 31 - Dan plays at Junior's in River Falls, Wisc., on the outdoor patio, 7 pm to 10 pm, no cover  https://www.juniorsrf.com/

Friday, June 7 - Dan and the full band (trio version, with Dave and Mike) plays at Carbone's in south Minneapolis, 9 pm to 11 pm, 4705 Cedar Ave S., no cover!  (after this show, Dan is going over to the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis to play some Bob Dylan songs too)

Saturday, June 8 - Dan and the full band (trio version) play at Mayslack's  in Northeast Minneapolis, with the Favorite Things and Good Mitten, we are in the middle slot, 10:30 pm, http://mayslacksbar.com/

Thursday, June 20 - Dan will be accompanied by percussionist Mikkel Beckmen (known widely for playing with Charlie Parr and many others) at the Dubliner Pub in St. Paul, EARLY SHOW, no cover, 5 pm to 7 pm  https://thedublinerpub.com/

Saturday, June 15 - Dan and Mike Lane play a duo show at a private birthday party from 3 pm to 5 pm

Sunday, June 16 - Dan returns to play at 2 pm at a popular outdoor free festival held every year in Minneapolis on Father's Day weekend, more info soon

Thursday, June 20 - Dan plays at the Dubliner in St. Paul, accompanied by Mikkel Beckmen on percussion, 5 pm, no cover (EARLY show!)

Friday, June 21 - Dan plays at Chankaska winery in Kasota, MN (near St. Peter), 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.chankaskawines.com/

Thursday, June 27 - Dan (Israel) Does Dylan - Dan leads a tribute to Bob Dylan at the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis, along with Mike Lane, Dave Russ, Dan Neale, and others, 9 pm, no cover,  https://331club.com/  

Friday, June 28 - Dan plays at Beaner's Central in Duluth, https://www.beanerscentral.com/ - details TBA

Saturday, June 29 - Dan plays at a farm for Tangletown Gardens/Wise Acre Eatery

Monday, July 1 - Dan and the full band, with special guest Terry Isachsen sitting in on lead guitar, play at Nicollet Island in Minneapolis for a "Music in the Parks" free show, 7 pm to 8:30 pm - the event will also feature local craft beer and a movie - this will be a fun one, put it on your calendar!

Wednesday, July 3 -  Dan plays solo at the new St. Louis Park American Legion (American Legion SLP Post 282) at 6509 Walker Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 (right near the SLP High School), from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, come check out this cool new music venue!  https://www.facebook.com/American-Legion-SLP-Post-282-344979530024/    

Friday, July 5 - Dan plays solo at the new Wise Guys Social Club in Spring Valley, MN, 7 pm to 10 pm,  https://www.facebook.com/wiseguysMN/ 

Thursday, July 11 - Dan and the full band (trio version) play at City Park in downtown Hopkins, MN, for the "Sunset Series", 7 pm to 8:15 pm, free and outdoors and all ages!  https://hopkinsartscenter.com/263/The-Sunset-Series-Outdoor-Concerts

Friday, July 19 - Dan and the full band (trio version - our friend Steve Price will be sitting in on bass for this one) play Highland Fest in St. Paul - 5:30 pm to 6:40 pm, free, https://www.highlandfest.com/

Saturday, July 27 - Dan hosts the 5th annual "Dan Israel and Friends" folk festival - 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park, MN, free, all-ages, outdoors - this year's show will feature Dan, along with Paul Metsa, Katy Vernon, and Chemistry Set (featuring Chris Thompson and Co.)

Thursday, August 1 - Dan plays solo out on the patio at Palmer's Bar on the West Bank in Mineapolis, no cover, 7 pm to 9 pm, https://www.palmersbar.net/

Friday, Aug 2 - Dan plays at Chankaska winery in Kasota, MN (near St. Peter), 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.chankaskawines.com/

Tuesday, August 6 - Dan returns to play the Minikahda Vista Neighborhood's National Night Out event at Minikahda Vista Park in St. Louis Park, MN - 6 pm, free, all-ages, outdoors

Saturday, August 10 - Dan participates in a tribute show that he has been part of for many years, this will be fun, sorry for lack of details but it all will be explained soon!

Friday, August 16 - Dan plays at Junior's in River Falls, Wisc., on the outdoor patio, 7 pm to 10 pm, no cover  https://www.juniorsrf.com/

Thursday, August 22 through Sunday, August 25 - Dan goes back up to Sparta, MN to record (along with Dave Russ, Mike Lane, and others) at Sparta Sound with Rich Mattson 

Friday, September 20 - Dan plays at the new Forestville Vines winery in River Falls, Wisconsin - 5 pm to 8 pm, https://www.facebook.com/ForestvilleVines/

Saturday, September 21 - Dan plays a House Concert series in Silver Bay, MN (on the North Shore), more details soon

Thursday, October 10 - Dan plays at Ursa Minor Brewing in Duluth, MN, 6 pm to 8 pm, no cover, https://www.facebook.com/ursaminorbrewing/

Saturday, October 19 - Dan plays at the new Forestville Vines winery in River Falls, Wisconsin - 5 pm to 8 pm, https://www.facebook.com/ForestvilleVines/

(Week of Oct 25, 2019 - Dan is playing shows in the UK - a couple are booked, more ideas welcome!)

Saturday, November 9 - Dan and the full band (trio version) play an acoustic show at Oak Center General Store in Lake City, MN, 8 pm, http://oakcentergeneralstore.com/events?event_id1=576

Monday, April 8, 2019

2019 shows update

Thursday, April 11 - Dan plays solo at the new St. Louis Park American Legion (American Legion SLP Post 282) at 6509 Walker Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 (right near the SLP High School), from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, come check out this cool new music venue!


Saturday, April 13 - Dan is playing solo at Crossings at Carnegie in Zumbrota, southern MN, 7:30 pm, http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/


Thurs. April 25 - Dan plays solo at Forager Brewery in Rochester, MN, 7 pm to 10 pm, https://www.facebook.com/events/806237576404106


JUST ADDED - Wed. May 1 - Dan plays solo at Copperwing Distillery in St. Louis Park, 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, free, https://www.facebook.com/copperwingdistillery/


Thursday, May 2 - Dan participates in an "artist discussion panel" at the St. Louis Park Rec Center (upstairs in the banquet room), open to the public, might be interesting - from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm


Friday, May 3 - Dan plays solo at the Tavern Lounge in Northfield, MN, 8 pm to 11 pm , no cover!  https://www.tavernofnorthfield.com/live-music


Saturday, May 4 - Dan plays solo at the Midwest Regional Music Festival in Winona, MN!  7 pm at Blooming Grounds, https://www.bgcoffeehouse.com/


Thursday, May 9 - Dan plays solo at the new St. Louis Park American Legion (American Legion SLP Post 282) at 6509 Walker Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 (right near the SLP High School), from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, come check out this cool new music venue!  


Friday, May 17 - Dan plays solo at Excelsior Brewing in Excelsior, 7 pm to 10 pm, https://www.facebook.com/events/2272378016377113/  (I have never played here before, but I hear it's a great place, so come check it out!)


Friday, May 24 - Dan plays solo at St. Paul Brewing (formerly known as Flat Earth Brewing) in St. Paul, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.flatearthbrewing.com/


Friday, May 31 - Dan plays solo at Junior's in River Falls, Wisc., on the outdoor patio, 7 pm to 10 pm, no cover  https://www.juniorsrf.com/


Friday, June 7 - Dan and the full band (trio version, with Dave and Mike) plays at Carbone's in south Minneapolis, 9 pm to 11 pm, 4705 Cedar Ave S., no cover! - and please note, it looks like Dan is going to play some Bob Dylan songs AFTER this show over at the Hook and Ladder (also in south Minneapolis) - probably around midnight - whew, should be a crazy night, maybe come to both shows?

JUST ADDED - Saturday, June 8 - Dan and the full band (trio version) play at Mayslack's in Northeast Minneapolis (we are in the middle slot, on at about 10:30 pm), with the Favorite Things and Good Mitten http://mayslacksbar.com/


Thursday, June 20 - Dan will be accompanied by percussionist Mikkel Beckmen (known widely for playing with Charlie Parr and many others) at the Dubliner Pub in St. Paul, EARLY SHOW, no cover, 5 pm to 7 pm  https://thedublinerpub.com/


Friday, June 21 - Dan plays at Chankaska winery in Kasota, MN (near St. Peter), 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.chankaskawines.com/


JUST ADDED - Thursday, June 27 - Dan and Mike Lane and others will play a special Bob Dylan tribute night at the 331 Club in Northeast Minneapolis - yes, we're going to play all Dylan songs, all night - will be fun, please let anyone who might be interested know about it, music starts at 9:30 pm!   https://331club.com/ 



JUST ADDED - two shows in Duluth - first, Friday, June 28, Dan plays solo at Beaner's Central in Duluth, time TBA, https://www.beanerscentral.com/  - and then on Sat. June 29, Dan plays the Park Point Art Fair (time TBA on that as well) 



JUST ADDED - Monday, July 1 - Dan and the full band will be playing a free show at Nicollet Island in Minneapolis (in the park, for a Music and Movies series) - more info coming soon, but this sure will be fun, will update you with the details when we get them - this will be the trio version of the full band plus ace guitarist Terry Isachsen sitting in with us on lead guitar - that will be exciting!


Thursday, July 11 - Dan and the full band (trio version) play a street show in downtown Hopkins, MN, right on or near Main Street (details coming), 7 pm to 8:15 pm, free and outdoors and all ages!  


JUST ADDED - Friday, July 19 - Dan and the full band (trio version) play at HIGHLAND FEST in St. Paul, 5:30 pm to 6:40 pm!


Saturday, July 27 - Dan hosts the 5th annual "Dan Israel and Friends" folk festival - 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park, MN, free, all-ages, outdoors - this year's show will feature Dan, Katy Vernon, legendary folk singer Paul Metsa, and Chemistry Set (Chris Thompson & Co.) (it looks like Dan is also playing at another festival in south Minneapolis that afternoon too, before the folk festival - whew, it's good to be busy - more on that when it is finalized)

Friday, Aug 2 - Dan plays at Chankaska winery in Kasota, MN (near St. Peter), 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.chankaskawines.com/


Tuesday, August 6 - Dan returns to play the Minikahda Vista Neighborhood's National Night Out event at Minikahda Vista Park in St. Louis Park, MN - 6 pm, free, all-ages, outdoors


Saturday, August 10 - Dan participates again in an annual tribute show - one that he was part of for many years - can't officially announce yet so have to tease this one, but will have more details soon, promise!


Friday, August 16 - Dan plays at Junior's in River Falls, Wisc., on the outdoor patio, 7 pm to 10 pm, no cover  https://www.juniorsrf.com/


Friday, Sept 20 - Dan plays at Forestville Vines (a new winery) in River Falls, Wisc, 5 pm to 8 pm, https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Local-Business/Forestville-Vines-242336449745529/


Sat. Sept. 21 - Dan plays at a house concert series on the North Shore (on Lake Superior) - more details TBA

Sat. Oct. 19 - Dan plays at Forestville Vines (a new winery) in River Falls, Wisc, 5 pm to 8 pm, https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Local-Business/Forestville-Vines-242336449745529/


JUST ADDED - Sat. Nov. 9 - Dan (and the trio version of the full band, I think) play at Oak Center General Store in Lake City, MN!  8 pm!  https://oakcentergeneralstore.com/  (please help spread the word about this one, have been wanting to play this show for years, so very excited to finally book it)

Monday, March 11, 2019

Updated shows list!

Friday, March 15 - Dan plays a full band (trio version - with Dave Russ and Mike Lane) at Eagles 34 (2507 E. 25th Street) in Minneapolis - an amazing bill that features us (we play first, at 8 pm) along with Rich Mattson and the Northstars, Whale in the Thames, and the Good Colonels - a VERY strong bill that we are proud to be part of, come on down


then


Wednesday, March 20 - Dan plays a solo show in NEW YORK CITY - my show is at Piano's NYC, 158 Ludlow Street, on the Lower East Side - I play from 8 pm to 9 pm UPSTAIRS at the venue - please, if you know anyone in the NYC area who might be interested, do let them know, thank you!  Here is a link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/631497627307674/


and then a BIG LOCAL FULL BAND SHOW, with special guests and everything - REALLY hope you can make this one:


Saturday, March 23 - Dan and the FULL BAND (plus special guests) play the Parkway Theater in south Minneapolis for the CD release show of Katy Vernon!  THIS WILL BE HUGE, don't miss this one!  This can and probably WILL sell out, so get your tickets now  https://theparkwaytheater.com/all-events/katy-vernon


JUST ADDED - Thursday, April 11 - Dan plays solo at the new St. Louis Park American Legion (American Legion SLP Post 282) at 6509 Walker Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 (right near the SLP High School), from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, come check out this cool new music venue!


Saturday, April 13 - Dan is playing at Crossing at Carnegie in Zumbrota, southern MN, 7:30 pm, http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/


JUST ADDED - Thurs. April 25 - Dan plays solo at Forager Brewery in Rochester, MN, 7 pm to 10 pm, https://www.facebook.com/events/806237576404106


Friday, May 3 - Dan plays the Tavern Lounge in Northfield, MN, 8 pm to 11 pm , no cover!  https://www.tavernofnorthfield.com/live-music


Saturday, May 4 - Dan plays the Midwest Regional Music Festival in Winona, MN!  7 pm at Blooming Grounds, https://www.bgcoffeehouse.com/


JUST ADDED - Thursday, May 9 - Dan plays solo at the new St. Louis Park American Legion (American Legion SLP Post 282) at 6509 Walker Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 (right near the SLP High School), from 6 pm to 8:30 pm, come check out this cool new music venue!  


JUST ADDED - Friday, May 17 Dan plays solo at Excelsior Brewing in Excelsior, 7 pm to 10 pm, https://www.facebook.com/events/2272378016377113/  (I have never played here before, but I hear it's a great place, so come check it out!)


Friday, May 24 - Dan plays solo at Flat Earth Brewing in St. Paul, 6:30 to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.flatearthbrewing.com/


Friday, May 31 - Dan plays at Junior's in River Falls, Wisc., on the outdoor patio, 7 pm to 10 pm, no cover  https://www.juniorsrf.com/


JUST ADDED - Friday, June 7 - Dan and the full band (trio version, with Dave and Mike) plays at Carbone's in south Minneapolis, 9 pm to 11 pm, 4705 Cedar Ave S., no cover!


Thursday, June 20 - Dan will be accompanied by percussionist Mikkel Beckmen (known widely for playing with Charlie Parr and many others) at the Dubliner Pub in St. Paul, EARLY SHOW, no cover, 5 pm to 7 pm  https://thedublinerpub.com/


Friday, June 21 - Dan plays at Chankaska winery in Kasota, MN (near St. Peter), 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.chankaskawines.com/


JUST ADDED - Monday, July 1 - Dan and the full band will be playing a free show at Nicollet Island in Minneapolis (in the park, for a Music and Movies series) - more info coming soon, but this sure will be fun, will update you with the details when we get them


Thursday, July 19 - Dan and the full band (trio version) play a street show in downtown Hopkins, MN, right on or near Main Street (details coming), 7 pm to 8:15 pm, free and outdoors and all ages!  


Saturday, July 27 - Dan hosts the 5th annual "Dan Israel and Friends" folk festival - 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Amphitheater in Wolfe Park in St. Louis Park, MN, free, all-ages, outdoors - this year's show will feature Dan, legendary folk singer Paul Metsa, Chemistry Set (Chris Thompson & Co.), and more TBA!


Friday, Aug 2 - Dan plays at Chankaska winery in Kasota, MN (near St. Peter), 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, no cover, https://www.chankaskawines.com/


Tuesday, August 6 - Dan returns to play the Minikahda Vista Neighborhood's National Night Out event at Minikahda Vista Park in St. Louis Park, MN - 6 pm, free, all-ages, outdoors


Friday, August 16 - Dan plays at Junior's in River Falls, Wisc., on the outdoor patio, 7 pm to 10 pm, no cover  https://www.juniorsrf.com/


Wednesday, March 6, 2019

DO SOMETHING

I have never felt more strongly than at this very moment that if you feel strongly about things, you should speak up. Now, not later. Doesn't have to be on Facebook or Twitter, doesn't have to be in public at all. I am working on doing less politics on Facebook (not that anyone noticed) but some things are not just "politics" for some of us, but rather a matter of survival.

I hardly think I need to be more specific here. If you are upset by how certain things are going, now is the time to reach out to your Congressperson, or the Congressperson from a neighboring district if necessary. Your US Senators, your favorite presidential candidates - your local officials - whoever. Talk to your friends. Tell them how you feel. Be willing to stand alone and to stand together with your loved ones and to stand UP for what is right. Maybe your state legislators need to hear from you. Maybe it's a relative. Be respectful. Explain your feelings, and don't back down from what your real feelings are. If you are upset, you have a right to be.

Be willing to contradict your friends - some of them need to hear hard truths about what some of us are feeling right now. They don't like it? Tough sh*t. They signed on to be our friends - if they don't want to hear when we feel scared and upset, then maybe they aren't our friends in the first place.

My goal is not to antagonize anyone. My goal is to speak truth, and to demand fairness and justice.

I am a musician and a father, but I am also a human being. I can't tolerate some things, and it's not about "injecting my politics" into such and such....I have long tolerated diverse points of view, provided they are expressed with decency and without bigotry. I will maintain that I have never wavered from that - if you feel otherwise, I trust you will let me know.

It has been a HELL of a winter - the weather has been beyond oppressive, and so has the "climate".

Stick to music? Do I tell you to "stick to (whatever it is you do besides the main thing you do)?" No, I do not. Nor would I.

This is the reality. This is the time to make yourself heard. There is sometimes no option to "wait for the right time." That time is now, but I guess that's just how I feel about it. I hope you will do SOMETHING, and if that SOMETHING is saying "f*ck off, Dan Israel, I'm sick of you", well, at least that's "something"! Make a difference. Somehow. We need ya.

Thanks,
Dan Israel

Sunday, March 3, 2019

New thoughts

An imaginary letter to myself, from someone

"Dan, how are you doing? I know this whole rise of anti-Semitism thing has been difficult and painful for you, because I know you are really concerned about this kind of thing, both for the sake of the world and especially for the sake of the safety and well-being of the people you love the most. I don't necessarily agree with all your political takes on everything, but I do care about you and have seen with my own eyes the rising hatred we are now seeing being directed at Jews, Muslims, African-Americans, Latinos, gays/lesbian/transgendered/queer/Native Americans, etc.

I know you have read a lot of history and, while I perhaps don't read and watch quite as much history as you (which would be hard to do!), I want you to know that I care deeply about the history of anti-Semitism in the world, and I can totally understand why this has been a scary and anxiety-producing time for you. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, that I will stand with you against anyone trying to promote hatred against Jewish people, or against any group that feels vulnerable. If anyone tries to incite violence against Jewish people, which I know well can end up really turning ugly, at MANY times throughout history, I will be right there in solidarity with my Jewish friends. I will not allow harm to come to my Jewish friends, NO MATTER WHAT.

I probably don't think about the Holocaust quite as much as you do, Dan, but I understand fully why you do study it, why you care that others study it, and why you are deeply worried that certain awful trends in history can repeat. I don't think even you think we are necessarily heading for another Holocaust right now, Dan, but you should know that I also fear how things can get out of control, quickly, especially when there are people whipping up hatred and fear on a daily basis against Jews. I too, Dan, have seen what has happened in history after such rhetoric becomes commonplace and normalized, and I will fight with all of my might and soul to make sure the words "never again," which I have insisted all my life must be honored, are indeed honored. There can never, ever be another Holocaust. EVER.

I may not support Israel as much as you, Dan, but I think it's important that the Jewish people have a homeland, a safe place of refuge, and that there are also very very strong historical connections to that land for Jewish people. I think many people may not realize, Dan, that you also have a lot of compassion for Arab/Muslim people in terms of how they have been treated historically, and that you also see the Palestinians as people, and that you want them to be able to share that land in peace with the Jewish people of the Middle East, somehow. You acknowledge their suffering, Dan, I see that. And yet, sadly, many of these same people who keep demanding that you acknowledge their suffering (and they don't need to demand it, you have repeatedly talked about how you see both sides of every conflict, including the Israeli-Palestinian one) seem completely unwilling to acknowledge your suffering, Dan, and the longstanding suffering of your people. I know. It sucks. I can't necessarily change all that, but I want you to know that I see it, that I care about the pain you have been dealing with lately.

I also know that you have been critical of the Israeli Right, of Netanyahu, and yet that is not enough for some people. I don't think all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitism, by a long shot, and frankly, Dan, I know you, you have actually been quite clear that you agree, that you think Israel should be subject to criticism, when necessary, as any sovereign nation should. Your issue is with Israel being singled out and held to different standards than other nations, often ones with far worse human rights records (often absurdly worse) than Israel. I don't always agree with you on all these issues, but I do see that Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East, its Arab/Muslim citizens can vote and even serve in the Knesset (Parliament), and thus the accusations of Israel being an "apartheid" state are simply not true, and also that Netanyahu just got indicted - not by BDS (boycott, divest, sanction) activists, but rather by his own attorney general, something that would never, ever happen in any neighboring country to Israel. I also know that gay people and women are treated far better in Israel than in any of its neighboring countries, and I must admit, I often scratch my head that so many progressive people (supposedly) seem to refuse to acknowledge that Israel itself is FAR more progressive than any other country in its region.

I can't make any of this better, Dan, but I just wanted to reach out to you. I saw an article recently that was about some of this stuff, and I was even going to post it, but then I realized that I don't always pay that much attention to Jewish/Middle East issues, so I decided to read it carefully before I sent it to you. In doing so, I realized that this article itself was rather offensive to Jewish people, so I decided not to send it to you. I figured you would appreciate that. You are suffering enough - you don't need your friends sending you shitty takes on the whole situation that actually repeat some of the same anti-Semitic tropes that have been really upsetting to you lately.

I know the latest charges about "dual loyalty" of Jews (the charge that Jews are supposedly more loyal to a foreign country - in this case, Israel, but throughout history, the charge has been leveled again and again by anti-Semites, and generally just imply that Jews are not patriotic enough to the country where they reside) have really been repulsive to you. I don't agree with any of that garbage. I see Jewish people again and again, all around me, who deeply love America and while they may also love Israel, it is not at the "expense" of their boundless love for our country. I too find any accusations of Jews having more "allegiance" to Israel than America absolutely vile, and we should call it out for what it is: anti-Semitism. Period.

Most of all, Dan, I get how upsetting it is, for you in particular, as an always-very-active member of the music scene, which undoubtedly leans, overall, strongly left - that so much hatred (certainly not all - plenty of hate for Jews comes from the Far Right, as you have rightly pointed out time and again over the years) for Jews seems to be coming from the Far Left end of the political spectrum lately. I get it. This feels like a betrayal by those in your own world. I can see how that would be particularly painful, and I want you to know that I will not betray you, Dan. I will not turn on you. I will not side with your oppressors, I will not side with those who threaten you and your people. I know the dangers of anti-Semitism, and I fully, and with no reservations, reject that language and actions of those who would do harm to (or stir up harm towards) Jewish people. I know, Dan, that you have been a lifelong Democrat, and you mainly consider yourself politically liberal, and this feels extra-painful to you because so much of the hatred you are experiencing is coming from the side of the political spectrum that you and so many Jewish people (who have supported that side in OVERWHELMING numbers over the years) have felt was your home for so long. Now you are not so sure - I can't blame you! You have been exceptionally loyal to people who now seem like they are not showing any reciprocal loyalty to you - that is called betrayal, and it feels lousy, as anyone who has experienced it (personally or politically) can attest to. You are a good Dad, Dan Israel. I see how loving you are with your children, and it's a beautiful thing. You are a pretty good person - no saint, but also not an evil person, and you care about others, a lot. You are generous with your time and your resources. You have mentored and offered support and encouragement to many, many other musicians. Not because you expected a return favor (well, sometimes, but not always!) but because you genuinely do want to help others, to lend some hard-earned wisdom that you have accumulated in 30 years of writing and performing your own music. You have had some successes, to be sure, but also your fair share (some might say, and then some) of struggles and frustrations in music. You know what it is like to feel shortchanged and overlooked, despite your hard work and talent, and you try to pass that compassion on to others when they feel down and discouraged about the inherently-unfair music business. Whew. There is so much to cover, I can't possibly fit it all into a letter I am trying to finish before I go to bed here on a VERY cold Sunday night in early March. I know this has also been a tough winter. You are affected by the seasons and the weather, perhaps as much as anyone I know, and even without all this stuff swirling around, this might have been a tough few months for you. With it all....I get a little worried about you. That's why I'm reaching out. I have not forgotten about you, even if I am not in touch enough or have seemed at times to not be supporting you. Again, I don't always agree with your politics, but I feel like it is important right now that I tell you that I am concerned about how you are feeling, and that this is kind of a crucial time to remind my Jewish friends that I love them and will support them, especially if things get uglier than they already are. Let's hope not.

I am not Jewish, Dan. I don't pretend to know all of what you feel. I see you speaking out a lot, and I know you have taken some heat for that. Sometimes, honestly, I wish you'd shut up a little about this stuff - it just gets to be too much.

But then I step back and realize that I have the privilege of stepping away from this. These are not attacks on me, so I don't have to feel the fear and worry and heartache that you can't just step away from so easily, Dan. I know you have been losing sleep and getting very agitated and depressed about all of this, and even though I can't walk in your shoes, literally, I try to imagine myself dealing with all of this, especially when your own Congresswoman spouts disgusting anti-Semitic tropes and other bullshit every few days, and I realize how much that would suck. So while I sometimes wish you would quiet down, I also see that you keep looking around and not seeing a whole lot of support sometimes from people in your world. I realize that you may be shouting louder and louder because it often seems like absolutely nobody is listening to your concerns, or worries about the toll this is taking on you and others in the Jewish community. I get that. If you need to shout, shout. If you need to write songs, write songs. I like that song you already wrote about rising anti-Semitism in the world. It was really good, so I am going to post the link here so others reading this imaginary letter can hear it too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTeIhAmG2JY - if they like it, maybe they can share it with others who might somehow find it comforting to hear a song that reflects a lot of what they are also maybe feeling too right now.

Anyway, Dan, I'm tired, but I wanted to get these thoughts down while I was thinking of them. Remember, you are not alone. You have friends, friends who will be there for you when the chips are down, who won't turn and run and abandon you if you or the ones you love are ever in danger. I know maybe you already know all of this, but you have sounded like you are losing hope a little sometimes lately, and I wanted to make sure you didn't forget that your friends love you and will never willingly allow harm to come to you in the form of anti-Semitism, if we can help it.

Dan, we are going to stand together against hatred of all kinds. We reject anti-Semitism in all its forms, and we see the hatred and bigotry that has sharply risen in the world in the last few months in particular against Jews. We will fight that rising tide of ugliness, together. We stand by you, Dan. Always.

Love,
Someone"