Break Out the Violins - Visa

A little Russian ... a little Armenian ... some rock-n-roll ... a touch of theatrics ... a whole lotta cool!
Visa (now VIZA) is based in Los Angeles, California and blends so many of my favorite musical styles into one fabulously awesome experience.  Formed in 2000, they have released two EPs and four albums - the most recent, "Carnivalia" in 2011.  All the standard rock instruments are there - guitars, bass, drums - but they also bring in some wonderfully exotic (at least in this corner of the world) instruments like oud, tar, saz, zurna and duduk.

Break Out the Violins by Visa from the 2007 album "Maktub"

VIZA website

VIZA on facebook

VIZA on twitter

Magyarbödögei galambozó - Folk Error

I'm trying to resurrect this blog, I promise!  Life just has a tendency to get a bit busy and full of distractions for me.  But the cool music - fun music - strange and wonderful music - is still out there!  Like this one.  Hungrarian ska.  Folk music coming face-to-face with a titch of Euro-punk flavo(u)r.  It's fun.  Bottom line: it's fun.

Folk Error was formed in 2006 in Hungary.  This is their very first "real" video (according to Youtube via Google translate).   That's really all I can figure out.

Magyarbödögei galambozó  by  Folk Error



Folk Error website

Folk Error on facebook

The Rumour Song - Joe Black

This is not safe for work (NSFW), small children or those with sensitive ... umm ... sensibilities.  But I like it.  It's dark, it's naughty, and it makes me giggle a secret giggle.  This whole Dark Cabaret/Neo-Vaudeville scene so completely entertains me.  Yes, I'm a titch warped ... but ... come on!  Kazoo solo!

The Rumour Song by Mister Joe Black from the 2011 album "Sex, Drugs and Vaudeville"



Mister Joe Black website

Mister Joe Black facebook

Mister Joe Black twitter

Happy Birthday (My Olde Friend) - Voltaire

 Today is the birthday of one of our (Juana Ghani) drummers.  He's a bit of a smart ass.  Jus' sayin'.  Anyway, his birthday brought this fun little song to mind.  And anything/anybody that brings Voltaire forward in my mind is a good thing/body.  I love Voltaire (and would love to share a show with him someday).

Happy Birthday (My Olde Friend) by Voltaire from the 2008 album "To the Bottom of the Sea"



Voltaire website

Voltaire on Facebook

Voltaire on Twitter

The latest video from one of my all-time favorite bands, The Urban Voodoo Machine.  This is directed by Sin Bozkurt (one of my favorite photographers) and Anthony Ratcliff. 
I fell in love with The Urban Voodoo Machine years ago (thanks to MySpace, actually, and clicking through "friends" of Mediaeval Baebes, whom I have loved for so long) when I first heard their song "Love Song 666".  I hope to one day make it to London and attend a Gypsy Hotel night and meet them in person.

Rather You Shot Me Down by The Urban Voodoo Machine from the 2011 album "In Black 'N' Red"




The Urban Voodoo Machine  on Facebook

The Urban Voodoo Machine on  Reverbnation

Life Fantastic - Man Man

I'm sure it's no surprise that I really like Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based Man Man.  They are gifted artists who create amazing music around intelligent lyrics and play children's toys and kitchen gadgets with the same exquisite focus as they do the more socially accepted "serious" instruments.  It's like they've taken the stuffy adult by the hand and let the curious kid do the leading for awhile.  What's not to like?  (And the bio on their facebook page is FABulously done!)

Life Fantastic by Man Man from the 2011 album "Life Fantastic"




Man Man website

Man Man facebook  (Read the bio!  Serious!  Do it!)

Man Man twitter

Sweet Spirit - Mara Carlyle & Willy Mason

It's been a weird series of days around here.  This song only added to the weirdness.  Not sure what I was expecting, but crying in my proverbial beer wasn't it.

Mara Carlyle is a British singer-songwriter from Shropshire who also plays saw and ukulele.  Willy Mason is an American singer-songwriter from New England.  "Sweet Spirit" is a 19th century prayer that Mara Carlyle set to her original music.  The combination is heart-wrenchingly beautiful. 

Sweet Spirit by Mara Carlyle and Willy Mason, released November 2011, is available on itunes.



Mara Carlyle website

Mara Carlyle facebook

Willy Mason website

Willy Mason facebook