Jewgrass Breakdown: Nefesh Mountain's Musical Response to Antisemitism

Abstract

This thesis delves into the cultural and political expressions of Nefesh Mountain, aJewgrass band, through their 2021 album, Songs for the Sparrows. This work is a reaction to the upsurge in antisemitism during President Trump's administration (2016- 2021). Nefesh Mountain taps into their diasporic Jewish heritage to highlight American inequalities using this musical genre. The study addresses the gap of scholarship on the intersection of bluegrass with politics, Jewish influence in bluegrass, and the Jewgrass genre. It underscores the need for critical analysis of Nefesh Mountain's innovative musical contributions. By analyzing the allegorical imagery in Songs for the Sparrows, this thesis discusses how Nefesh Mountain engages listeners with politicized topics in both their music and branding. I also focus on the allegorical content within their album. It explores how the album's themes engage listeners in sensitive and politicized discussions, trying to balance bluegrass-oriented audiences and Jewish community-oriented audiences. The research also includes an examination of media coverage on the band, highlighting the Jewish influence in bluegrass music and the broader societal role of Jewgrass music in fostering social awareness and encouraging dialogue. The study suggests that Nefesh Mountain employs an educational strategy, merging Jewish religious motifs with the bluegrass tradition. It underscores the capacity of bluegrass music to articulate political and socio-cultural issues, advocating for a trajectory that is more inclusive in the American music scene.