Noga Shefi Releases a Short Collection of New Songs – The Alchemist

After years of touring the world on bass with Cass McCombs, Renata Zeiguer, and many others, NOGA (aka Noga Shefi) has regrouped to bring listeners “The Alchemist” — a short collection of new songs out July 30. Inspired in part by Paulo Coelho’s classic mysticist novel of the same name, “The Alchemist” follows NOGA’s experience of untangling life’s great dualities: dreams and reality, light and dark, known and unknown, self and other.

Written during a quiet period of time off in Israel, NOGA recorded the EP back in NYC at the Relic Room, with Scott Colberg on bass and guitar, Jason Nazary on Drums, and Frank LoCrasto on piano and synths. The EP was mixed and mastered by Greg Saunier.

In the novel “The Alchemist”, the protagonist is made to take on a great quest spanning years and continents. It is not just about chasing dreams, but about the refinement of the alchemist’s skill and ability to turn something worthless into gold. On “The Alchemist,” the EP’s titular, opening track, NOGA grounds her anxieties by reminding herself that the heart and mind are noresponsible for how one experiences reality. Just as the alchemist can turn cheap metal into gold, NOGA’s songs are inspired by the magic of turning unfortunate situations into wisdom and love.