24 November 2009 (gig)
29 November 2009
Club Cargo (in association with Kazum) held a truly special evening for lovers of world music, or global agit-pop, as some prefer to call it.
San Francisco based 'Rupa & The April Fishes’ (www.aprilfishes.com) came to town to launch their new album and give an amazing live performance in the process.
The evening kicked off with the equally talented UK-based 'Gabby Young & Other Animals'. Their captivating fusion of alternative folk rock and swing got the crowd going indeed. Gabby’s band, however, deserves a separate review - so please keep an eye on the Music-News review pages.
After the 'Other Animals’ had finished, it was time for the 'April Fishes’ to get on stage. Yes, Cargo had obviously turned into a musical zoo!
Lead by songstress and guitarist Rupa Marya, the ensemble is comprised of six musicians who play instruments as varied as trumpet, accordion, cello, bass and percussions (amongst various strange-looking contraptions).
The band’s musical style is just as varied, ranging from French chanson to Mexican brass/Latino rhythms, to Yiddish klezmer/bulgarish sounds, as well as electro Gypsy swing and more traditional Roma Gypsy folk.
Mainly performing songs from their new album 'Este Mundo’ (released via Cumbancha), Rupa and her Fishes gave a vibrant and dynamic performance that had an enthusiastic audience dancing and clapping to global rhythms and yelling for more.
The songs are performed in French, Spanish and occasionally English, adding to the fusion of styles.
Tracks like 'Por La Frontera’ (On The Border) or 'Espero La Luna’ – with an upbeat blend of gypsy folk jazz, klezmer, Latino and polka beats - could be from an Emir Kusturica movie.
'Culpa De La Luna’ with its emphasis on trumpet and accordion, or the very Latino/gypsy influenced 'Soledad’ made for prolonged dancing.
There were more mellow tunes, too, like 'C’est Moi’ or 'Soy Payoso’, which has a slight oriental-Indian feel to it (Rupa is of Punjabi descent).
For those who were unable to attend, Rupa & The April Fishes will return to the UK in January, so make sure you party with them next time!
