Gypsy magic

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 24 July 2007

Article Index
Gypsy magic
Page 2
Page 3

Page 1 of 3

Benjamin Coombs talks to Romanian Gypsy band Taraf De Haϊdouks producer David Jones ahead of the band’s performance as part of the Galway Arts Festival this weekend

The band has never been to Galway before have they?
We’ve been to Dublin and Cork but never to Galway, so we’re excited! The band love Irish music and they’ve met Irish musicians at different festivals, people like Donal Lunny. Of course there are deep parallels between Irish music and Gypsy music and there’s cross pollination too; think of Andy Irvine bringing the bouzouki to Irish music and exploring Eastern music.

Do you enjoy bringing the band to festivals like this?
Festivals are great for reaching an audience; you can expand your audience and reach new people.

Can you describe the band’s music for those who’ve never heard them?
Their music is very exuberant, and even though there’s no form of percussion, the music is very powerful and intense. I hear a similar intensity in them like you’d get in a string quartet. The festival organisers consulted us and we recommended the concert be part seated and part standing because Taraf are like a Ceilí almost; you dance for one song and the next song you may want to sit down and listen carefully. There’s light and shade, and they always work well in a concentrated space.

I’ve heard that on a good night the band’s live performances are magical?
After a good gig by this band you feel lit up from within! They’re so exciting and thrilling. You want to dance and yet the music has such depth that it’s almost something else. The live show has a shape to it, and they are great singers and virtuoso musicians. They are a band that is always pushing the envelope.

In Romania they would have played at weddings and funerals, so the music must have a lot of emotion?
It’s filled with emotion. There is sadness in the music which reflects the tough side of gypsy life, but often this sadness is transformed into this wonderful celebratory music! I sometimes see the guys before a show and they look fed up but the moment they step onstage it’s like a power switch is turned on and they come alive and dance. They adore music. I’ve seen them come off stage in Edinburgh and go straight onto the street to play more. The next thing nearly a thousand people were dancing in the street!

Sadly the band lost their virtuoso violinist a while ago, didn't they?
Nicolai died three years ago and it was a great loss. He was the group leader. Since he passed on the band has had to re-invent themselves; now they are bigger and stronger than ever.

Do the band speak English?
When we first started we had a translator on stage but it’s unnecessary; you can tell what they’re singing about and you can feel the emotion. They say what they need to say with their music and their presence. They are like a band of brigands, (laughs) and they can express all their needs and emotions plenty well enough.

Prev - Next >>