With a Slavic accent, melancholy persona, unusual appearance and immense musical talent, singer-songwriter and musical producer Arkadi Duchin has been a prominent figure in the Israeli music scene since the early 1990s. He was born and raised in Soviet Belarus, made Aliyah with his parents as a teenager, and rose to prominence in Israel with his rock band. HaChaverim Shel Natasha (“The Friends of Natasha”) were one of the most successful Israeli bands in the 90s, and Duchin continued on to a prolific solo career after they disbanded. He is known not only for his music but also for his emotional and heartfelt performances, which often resonate deeply with Israeli audiences.
In this episode of “Song of Hope,” Duchin talks about how the tragedy of October 7 shook us, reset us, and in a sense brought us back home. The example he gives is how the war led him back to his Holocaust-haunted childhood home. He shares how the experience softened the anger and sorrow he carried regarding his relationship with his parents, offering a deeply personal glimpse into his journey.
Sh’lach Li Mal’ach (“Send Me an Angel”) – the song he chose to perform – belongs to another highly successful Israeli rock band, Mashina, which formed a few years before HaChaverim Shel Natasha. In 2007, Duchin recorded this Mashina classic for his covers album, Nekudat Mabat (“Point of View”).
The song, from Mashina’s second album from 1987, is known for its powerful, emotive lyrics and a captivating modern melody that blends rock and new wave influences. The lyrics express longing, yearning, and search for guidance, as the narrator pleads for an angel to appear and help him through difficult times. The song’s intense, almost mystical vibe connects deeply with listeners, offering a sense of both vulnerability and hope – what could be more suitable for these times? And while Mashina’s original version juxtaposes the lyrics with singer Yuval Banay’s deadpan delivery, Duchin’s performance offers a minimalist, contemplative and raw emotional rendition.
