Romagical: A Gypsy Mix

Just a note to begin. I finished making my mix tape a week ago, and had it in my purse to take to the post office for a week. But with the current climate in Europe, and my deep love for the Roma “gypsy” culture and music, I decided that making this mix with my favorite gypsy-inspired tunes could be really cool. Gypsy music is a huge influence on popular music right now, and for good reason!!!

In college, I was a music history major studying classical music and playing viola too. After a few ethnomusicology courses (world music) and another couple cultural anthropology classes, I became very interested in the Roma people, commonly referred to as the gypsies, and how the stereotypes against them still endure today, while other stereotypes are considered taboo and not politically correct. People commonly say “what a gyp” when they feel ripped off, or warn others of “gypsies” in foreign countries. And now, with many European countries banning gypsies and restricting their rights, why aren’t more people enraged?

The Roma people originated not in Eastern-Europe, but rather in Northern India. Their music shares many similar characteristics with Indian music, like the fast scale patterns that are in very close intervals. Due to migration, their music also picked up styles from all over, including Slavic and Russian music, and now even some American rock! The Roma people are the largest group in Europe without a “home country” and have very little to no representation in any government. Because, by nature, this ethnic group is nomadic, they chose to live a life on the road. Many countries seem to feel threatened by this group, and therefore instill laws that are anti-gypsy, including outlawing certain instruments. This type of control is not new (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/11/AR2010101106428.html).

But now to the music:

What is commonly referred to as "Gypsy Rock" or "Gypsy Punk" I believe is a reciprocal relationship. Roma music today is influenced by many modern movements, including electronica and rock, while many Popular bands from the US are highly influenced by Eastern European music and Roma music. Accordion is a major player in this type of music, as is the guitar. I have several songs on this mix that sound uniquely French. One of the musicians on this mix is Django Reinhardt, prominent Jazz guitarist in the 1930s and 40s. Due to a serious fire, Django only played guitar with 2 of his fingers. The Quebecois band “The Lost Fingers” featured on this mix chose their name as a tribute to Django, as his music is one of their main influences. I hope this mix shows how fun and exciting gypsy and eastern-European music is.

1. Devotchka “Such a Lovely Thing”

2. Gogol Bordello “Pala Tute”

3. Django Reinhardt “Minor Swing”

4. The Lost Fingers “Pump Up The Jam”

5. Little Cow “A Vén Cigány"

6. Slavic Soul Party “Teknochek Collison”

7. Boulder Acoustic Society “So Confused”

8. Fishtank Ensemble “Samurai Over Serbia”

9. Balkan Beat Box “Balkumbia”

10. Caravan Palace “Jolie Coquine”

11. Beirut “Bratislava”

12. Tom Waits “Russian Dance”

BONUS TRACK:

13. The Lost Fingers “Belleville rendez-vous”