Not content with playing live tonight at Masons Bar, Derry's much-loved Balkan Alien Sound will bring their unique Balkan-gypsy vibes to an audience of all ages and all nationalities at Derry's One World Festival in the Guildhall Square tomorrow, May 30, at 2.15pm...
As well as this, Balkan Alien Sound will impress South Donegal audiences when they play Ardara's Melting Pot Festival this coming Sunday, and they've announced details of several exciting gigs in the weeks ahead. Forthcoming gigs will feature special
live sets from the visiting French Balkan-gypsy band Txutxukan and The Underscore Orkestra from Oregon, USA.
The eclectic ensemble of French musicians Txutxukan made a huge impression during their last visit to the city, wowing local audiences with their particularly vibrant, cultured sound. Having made Derry their second home, they are eager to return next month.
Marty Coyle of the Balkan Alien Sound explained how the two acts met: "Basically the whole thing has come about after I invited the French band Txutxukan over last September to do three gigs around the town with us. The response we got to the gigs was amazing and since then I have been looking to get more bands from further afield to come and play Balkan and gypsy music in Derry.
Marty Coyle said that these collaborations have only been made possible thanks to the wonderful world wide web.
"This project has only been possible through the use of the internet and it shows how much more readily accessible it is to collaborate and set up events with similar artists from all around the world. Luckily Txutxukan really enjoyed the craic in Derry and were more than happy to come back.
Txutxukan will be performing in Sandinos Back Bar on Sunday, June 7, and as anyone who was at their last gigs in Derry will know - this is a night not to be missed.
The second night will be upstairs in Masons Bar on Sunday, June 10, and the organisers will be delighted to welcome The Underscore Orkestra all the way from Oregon, USA. They will be playing a blend of Balkan, Klezmer, Gypsy Jazz and Swing, with a repertoire consisting of both original and traditional material from fast bulgars and melodious waltzes to odd meters and swinging rhythms.
For more information on all these gigs and the Balkan Alien Sound themselves, see: ww
w.myspace.com/balkanaliensound