Shirei Sade
Solo Album
The Debut Solo Album from Gidi Farhi -
Coming May 2026
For two decades, bassist Gidi Farhi has been a foundational force in Berlin's experimental and free-improv scenes, anchoring the rhythm section for countless projects. Now, after dedicating his career to holding the musical center for others, he is stepping forward to share his own voice. Shirei Sade ("Poems of the Field") is his debut solo album - an honest, varied record that moves naturally through raw electric guitar, Folk-Rock, Blues, Bossa-Nova, Piano Ballads, and Middle-Eastern instrumentation.
A Note from Gidi:
"Having just turned 50, Shirei Sade is the result of a deliberate, radical artistic choice. It is an album born out of profound personal and political upheavals, yet it anchors itself entirely in the healthy, enduring parts of the human experience. Rather than leaning into the frustration or cynicism of our times, these nine tracks explore the quiet intimacy of connection, the bittersweet reality of decay, and our shared humanity.
The Recording Process
"To capture the raw, breathing energy of these songs, I gathered veteran musicians from Berlin's live-composing scene. We booked a studio for five consecutive days and recorded the core of the album without any prior rehearsals. The goal wasn't to play perfectly; it was to channel our free-improv instincts into serving the structure and soul of the songs and the poetry, capturing a completely honest, present musical moment."
The Politics of Shared Humanity
"This dedication to the 'healthy parts of life' serves as its own quiet political agenda. On tracks like 'Behalomi' (In My Dream), I collaborated with the Berliner Oriental Ensemble, integrating traditional Middle Eastern musicians and instruments like the Oud, Kanoun, and Buzuk. However, rather than touching upon regional conflict, the lyrics focus entirely on mundane, deeply human experiences, dreams, and the essence of creation. By focusing strictly on what we share, the music itself becomes the bridge."
Contrasts & Fragility
"The album constantly plays with deep emotional and musical contrasts. On the track 'Lifnei She'amut' (Before I Die), for example, I address the intense fragility and ephemerality of life, but I deliberately set these vulnerable themes against the heavy, driving backdrop of a raw electric guitar. The poetic weight of these songs is central to the project."
The track "Lifnei She'amut" were recently featured in the Versopolis Poetry Expo 2026.