Clouds Of War is a collaborative work by renowned musicians Yishai Sweartz (Tomorrow’s Rain) from Tel Aviv and Mona Mur from Berlin released on 20th June 2024. 

Inspired by the life and diary of Yishai Sweartz’s grandfather, WW2 Partisan Moshe Szniecki, this project intertwines evocative spoken word and captivating experimental arrangements. The Post-punk, darkwave and experimental electronic. project is released on Soleilmoon Recordings

Reflecting on the project’s genesis, Yishai shares, “The idea for Clouds Of War began with the profound stories recounted in my grandfather’s diary. During World War II, 17-year-old Moshe Szniecki left his hometown when all other members of his family were murdered by Nazi hordes. In the depths of the Belarusian forests, Moshe joined a Partisan group and fought boldly.” Guided by what he called The Codes Of The Woods, Moshe survived. 

“He made it to Israel, married, and had a family with his wife Hanna and two daughters. He died peacefully at 94, at ease with himself. He survived,”  elaborates Yishai.

The Codes Of The Woods were Moshe’s survival principle,” says Yishai. In the summer of 2021, a creative synergy sparked between Mona Mur and Yishai Sweartz. “Simultaneously translated into English, these texts of great directness and stunning consequence were recorded on a smartphone and sent to Mona Mur in her Berlin studio KATANA. Mona used these recordings as core material, their rough quality and darkly intense attitude being an advantage.” Creating layers of other voices, Mona Mur incorporated her well-recognisable musical elements into the compositional structure on the record. Adding self-designed sounds, guitar-work and signature electronics.

Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube