The Portnoy Brothers

History

Sruli and Mendy Portnoy were born in Manchester, England, later moving to Israel as adults. Their father was an orchestra conductor-turned-rabbi. They played music separately from a young age and began playing together at around 14 years old.

They debuted as the Portnoy Brothers in 2012 with the single "Kol Ha'olam". They gave a series of concerts in Sderot and other Southern District communities during Operation Pillar of Defense and dedicated proceeds from a show at Mike's Place the following Chanukkah to children harmed by the attacks.

In 2014, they appeared at the biannual Moshav Country Fair at Mevo Modi'im, alongside Hamakor, Yehuda Leuchter, and Ben Zion Solomon and Sons. They also played at a Chabad menorah lighting at Mamilla Mall in Jerusalem.

The Portnoys began recording their debut album, Learn to Love, in 2013 with bassist and engineer Alon Hillel. The album was co-funded by fans via an Indiegogo campaign, which raised £9,315 GBP. A music video for the album's titular lead single was released in 2014. The video attracted minor controversy due to its shot of an Arab couple, among others, signing the song's title, which was seen as insensitive in light of the then-recent Har Nof attack. In January 2016, they released a video for the album's closing track, "Timebound", as a tribute to David Bowie shortly after his death. In May 2016, they appeared at the Day to Praise Israel Independence Day event. The album was released on September 23, 2016.

Musical style

The Portnoy Brothers have cited The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and Simon & Garfunkel as musical influences.

Discography