This album is very much a sequel to Beit El (which you can listen to here) in theme, purpose and soundscape. ​The concept of "space" continues to be a central theme in our music, and has inspired the name of our forthcoming album, Hamakom, or "The Place", the location in the Torah where Jacob had his famous dream (and yes, what our band is named after!) 

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Our 2nd full length album brings an immense energy and eclectic catalogue of influences, though at its core remains centered in our rootsy, bluegrass, Jewish American soul. This 15-track (14-track on streaming platforms) anthology covers many of our musical bases, from raw, unfiltered open-hearted wordless melody to Mizrahi-Mediterranean double mandolins, to reggae, country, fast-picking bluegrass, vibrant A Capella style backing vocals, Sarasate-inspired twin-fiddling and an electrified jam-band breakdown to close it all out (see Mareh Kohen, track 14). 

Note that three tracks, (tracks 5, 6, 12) were recorded in front of a live audience; we were excited (and a little nervous) to embrace the spontaneity and rawness of these performances— but in many ways those subtle imperfections make those tracks feel more alive. 

What ties HaMakom all together is that each one of these melodies has brought a sense of Makom (a meld of a spiritual and physical home), whether it was a moment on tour that we shared with the audience or a moment backstage or in rehearsal with the band. In sharing these songs routinely over the past 2 years to many Jewish communities, it has been our hope to help break down the many barriers we tend to set in our own Jewish practices, and to strike commonality through our liturgy. These songs have the power to hold fragmented Jewish American identity under one roof, to remind ourselves that through our many differences—in culture, politics, religious practice—we haven't lost the deep gravitational instinct to forge pathways of unity. 

Yes, you can call Jacob's Ladder Jewish bluegrass. Would we call this album Jewish bluegrass? Not necessarily (but we wouldn't blame you if you did!) We hope you enjoy this sequel to Beit El, and that these songs bring you closer to your community, your Judaism, and to your inner Ner Tamid that is always burning, always reminding you of our universal goodness that is bringing us all just a little closer together.