Matisyahu: Well it is interesting, that experience, like many of the other experiences, as you were saying, because of the nature of this whole thing and how fast it is happening, I never get a chance to think of what it is going to be like going in there. Everything has been happening quick and that experience was great; to get in there and connect with those guys, I feel like the songs and what came out of that was really magical. It was great, I really liked Glen Ballard's vibe, it was really cool.

Klublife: How do you feel about the technology, the MP3 downloads, and all that, now that you have actually been affected by it? Has it affected you positively, negatively or has it just made you more aware that you should be careful?

Matisyahu: Well I mean technology in general is something that can be used for a really good purpose or for not a good purpose. On one end I want as many people that can get exposed to the music as possible and have the ability to be affected by the music. On the other hand, I think for sure you don’t want anyone ripping you off, you don’t want anyone taking advantage of you. So it is too bad that people do that I guess.

Klublife: Did you expect your message to reach as far and as fast as it has, knowing that it is one of those things that every month it is just getting more momentum?

Matisyahu: I have pretty much always wanted to make music and have a career as a singer, from the time that I was maybe 16 years old or so. I haven’t always been such a based in reality type of person, so I always felt it was possible, I always felt if you have something you are talented in and you work hard at it, you’ll feel like this is what you are supposed to be doing and this what you are going to do. I think every person has one thing in their life like that and, god willing, they’ll end up doing that. For me it took a funny path cause I had to separate from the music in order for it to actually come into fruition. For the success to happen I really pulled back for a couple of years and focused on my studies and what I was learning and becoming religious.

Klublife: So the new studio album is coming in the spring of 2006? What can we expect on the album? Are there some surprises, hidden Matisyahu appearances, co-writes? And how long did it take to record, ’cause you have been on the road, so when did you sneak into the studio to make another album?

Matisyahu: Good question. We recorded the album this summer. We were on the road for a week then we would come back and record for a week, then go back out for a week. We did most of it with Bill Laswell. Those tracks that we did with him were all co-written with the band together, so that band wrote all the music for the album. We all wrote it together and I think the album is great. There are also a few tracks on there that are more hip hop, that were done with a hip hop producer. But in general I think the album takes some of the concepts from Live At Stubbs, let’s say, and gets at them in a deeper way.

Klublife: Bill Laswell is probably one of the greatest producers in the last 20 years. Was it an experience that you were able to fall into relatively easily? Or was it something that he said, “Okay, we are going to start here and end up there”?

Matisyahu: No he was very easy, he was very cool. It has been great. As things have been getting bigger and bigger, we have been getting the opportunity to work with people whose stuff I know more and more. For me that was one of the first experiences to work with someone who was a real professional, really a genius in what they do. He has got a certain way of making it tight and making it come out well and at the same time giving the musicians the space to create what they want to create, so it was great mix for us.

'Live At Stubbs' is in stores and is the perfect "gift" in the true sense of the word. Matisyahu has proven that the traditions of Jewish faith can not only co-exist in a reggae form but that they can open your ears, mind and heart all at the same time. Isn't that what music is supposed to be about to begin with?