Mahala Rai Banda
Words: Kristy Delaine
If you’re only going to see one Romanian Gypsy Brass Band this year then it should be Mahala Rai Banda. This 11-piece band kicks some serious brass arse and are bringing their unique Balkan Beats to WOMADelaide in 2012.
Violinist and composer Aurel Ionita formed Mahala Rai Banda in the early 2000’s by plucking talented musicians from the gypsy ghettos on the outskirts of Bucharest. The band started out playing traditional Romanian music at weddings but their popularity quickly spread beyond the small villages as they began to invent an invigorating new musical style.
Mahala Rai Banda, which translated means “Noble Band from the Ghetto”, began combining traditional Romanian Gypsy music with Western pop and dance rhythms, ranging from funk to reggae. Their rich blend of innovative arrangements, traditional elements and modern outlooks made them stand out from any other Romanian “wedding” band- or any other band in Europe. Try to imagine; a brass band adaptation of ABBA mixed with Bollywood rhythms and swinging beats integrated into a thumping dance mix.
They captured the attention of the European music scene when “Mahalageasca”, a song from their 2004 self-titled album, was used on the soundtrack to the film “Borat”. They’ve since been remixed by many prestigious electronic music producers as they’ve travelled the world, making people in all corners of the globe jump to their feet and dance about to their unique sounds.
Caught In The Mosh recently spoke with Aurel Ionita to find out what we can expect from this extraordinary group on their first visit to Australia.
For someone who hasn’t seen or heard your band before, what would you tell them to expect from your live show?
Energy, Rock’n Roll, cool brass riffs, funk and soul, ecstasy with good Balkan flavour! And you will still recognize our traditions, that’s very important to us.
How do you want your audience to feel when they leave your shows?
They should feel like they’re leaving a really good party – they should be really sad about leaving.
We know that you formed the band, but with so many band members are you in charge of writing and composing songs or is it a team effort? Can you discuss the writing process with us?
The suggestions and main ideas are coming from myself, either my own compositions or suggestions for adaptations, but the arranging process is a common one. So once there is an idea in the circle all the band members have their input and their suggestions how to arrange.
Violinist and composer Aurel Ionita formed Mahala Rai Banda in the early 2000’s by plucking talented musicians from the gypsy ghettos on the outskirts of Bucharest. The band started out playing traditional Romanian music at weddings but their popularity quickly spread beyond the small villages as they began to invent an invigorating new musical style.
Mahala Rai Banda, which translated means “Noble Band from the Ghetto”, began combining traditional Romanian Gypsy music with Western pop and dance rhythms, ranging from funk to reggae. Their rich blend of innovative arrangements, traditional elements and modern outlooks made them stand out from any other Romanian “wedding” band- or any other band in Europe. Try to imagine; a brass band adaptation of ABBA mixed with Bollywood rhythms and swinging beats integrated into a thumping dance mix.
They captured the attention of the European music scene when “Mahalageasca”, a song from their 2004 self-titled album, was used on the soundtrack to the film “Borat”. They’ve since been remixed by many prestigious electronic music producers as they’ve travelled the world, making people in all corners of the globe jump to their feet and dance about to their unique sounds.
Caught In The Mosh recently spoke with Aurel Ionita to find out what we can expect from this extraordinary group on their first visit to Australia.
For someone who hasn’t seen or heard your band before, what would you tell them to expect from your live show?
Energy, Rock’n Roll, cool brass riffs, funk and soul, ecstasy with good Balkan flavour! And you will still recognize our traditions, that’s very important to us.
How do you want your audience to feel when they leave your shows?
They should feel like they’re leaving a really good party – they should be really sad about leaving.
We know that you formed the band, but with so many band members are you in charge of writing and composing songs or is it a team effort? Can you discuss the writing process with us?
The suggestions and main ideas are coming from myself, either my own compositions or suggestions for adaptations, but the arranging process is a common one. So once there is an idea in the circle all the band members have their input and their suggestions how to arrange.
Where does the main inspiration for your songs come from?
Most of our songs are rooted in traditional Romanian music, the songs we grew up with. We’ve played hundreds of traditional songs at weddings etc. It’s part of our life. We take the tunes and adapt it in our own way. Sometimes we play a traditional song and play it in Reggae style. At the end it is very hard to recognize the original song- that’s fun. But from time to time somebody of the band brings an international hit (either oriental or western) and we adapt it. So our music is very influenced by funk, soul, oriental, Bollywood and also reggae.
Who are some of your musical heroes/inspirations?
James Brown, Bob Marley, Sharon Jones, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compai Segundo, Aretha Franklin …. Many more.
Your music draws from so many different genres, does that reflect each band member’s different interests or are you mixing different music to keep the many different audiences involved?
It’s not reflecting each band member’s different interest but the bands common different interests. I have open-minded musicians in the band and they are listening to all kind of music. The mixing up of styles is part of our tradition, playing weddings means also following wishes from the clients. So we are used to doing it since our early days.
Does it come easy to you all to stay so energised on stage? How do you keep that up every night?
Yes, it’s easy- we can’t stay bored on stage, it’s impossible. But of course not all the shows are the same. There are different levels of energy – depending on our mood – depending on the audience, on the stage circumstances etc.
It’s hard to imagine but- have you ever had a non-responsive audience?
Never. All around the world we have good enthusiastic crowds.
Do you think it’s harder work playing in an Army Brass band or touring with Mahala Rai Banda?
Well, there is only one musician left in our band who was playing in the military brass band, there were two more but they have left the band years ago. So I can’t say what is harder but I’m sure it is more enjoyable to play with Mahala Rai Banda.
When can we expect to hear a new album?
We are working on it – hopefully 2013.
If you could have a guest vocalist on your next album who would you choose?
As this is a serious idea for the next album I’ll keep it secret.
Most of our songs are rooted in traditional Romanian music, the songs we grew up with. We’ve played hundreds of traditional songs at weddings etc. It’s part of our life. We take the tunes and adapt it in our own way. Sometimes we play a traditional song and play it in Reggae style. At the end it is very hard to recognize the original song- that’s fun. But from time to time somebody of the band brings an international hit (either oriental or western) and we adapt it. So our music is very influenced by funk, soul, oriental, Bollywood and also reggae.
Who are some of your musical heroes/inspirations?
James Brown, Bob Marley, Sharon Jones, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compai Segundo, Aretha Franklin …. Many more.
Your music draws from so many different genres, does that reflect each band member’s different interests or are you mixing different music to keep the many different audiences involved?
It’s not reflecting each band member’s different interest but the bands common different interests. I have open-minded musicians in the band and they are listening to all kind of music. The mixing up of styles is part of our tradition, playing weddings means also following wishes from the clients. So we are used to doing it since our early days.
Does it come easy to you all to stay so energised on stage? How do you keep that up every night?
Yes, it’s easy- we can’t stay bored on stage, it’s impossible. But of course not all the shows are the same. There are different levels of energy – depending on our mood – depending on the audience, on the stage circumstances etc.
It’s hard to imagine but- have you ever had a non-responsive audience?
Never. All around the world we have good enthusiastic crowds.
Do you think it’s harder work playing in an Army Brass band or touring with Mahala Rai Banda?
Well, there is only one musician left in our band who was playing in the military brass band, there were two more but they have left the band years ago. So I can’t say what is harder but I’m sure it is more enjoyable to play with Mahala Rai Banda.
When can we expect to hear a new album?
We are working on it – hopefully 2013.
If you could have a guest vocalist on your next album who would you choose?
As this is a serious idea for the next album I’ll keep it secret.
Would you ever consider doing an album in English?
Why not, it’s a pity sometimes most of the audience doesn’t understand the lyrics, this would be different once singing in English.
How did life change for Mahala Rai Banda when “Mahalagaesca” appeared on the “Borat“ soundtrack?
No changes at all, business as normal. It’s a good promotion and a reasonable income but it doesn’t change much about our life.
Many different artists have remixed your work, including Nouvelle Vague and Felix B, how do you feel about these remixes?
The Novelle Vague track is really outstanding, it’s great but it’s almost a new song. Most of the remixes are OK but they don’t really touch us.
I noticed that “Mahalagaesca” also appears on PS3’s “Little Big Planet 2”. Have you played that game?
I haven’t played the game, I’m not sure about the other (younger) band members.
If you weren’t in a band what would you be doing today?
Still playing music. We didn’t learn anything else.
Do you still play weddings?
We still do so, but with the fame we are now also in the very comfortable situation to decide how long we are playing a wedding. 10 years ago we had to play 10 – 20 hours (of course with breaks) at a wedding, nowadays we play 40 to 80 minutes and are better paid. Believe me this is very luxurious for us!
What are you looking forward to about WOMADelaide?
We are really looking forward to the Australian audience, we’ve heard from friends that the crowd is amazing there. We’re also looking forward to meeting other artists.
Which artists in particular are you looking forward to seeing?
Mad Professor, Tinariwen, Baaba Maal and Kimmo Pohjonen.
Apart from playing WOMADelaide, what at are you looking forward to doing whilst in Australia?
I hope we find time to do some sight seeing, hopefully having a trip to the beach and spend some time with Australians.
Mahala Rai Banda play WOMADelaide Sunday March 11th @ 2pm.
They’re also presenting a workshop on Saturday March 12th @ 2pm.
Why not, it’s a pity sometimes most of the audience doesn’t understand the lyrics, this would be different once singing in English.
How did life change for Mahala Rai Banda when “Mahalagaesca” appeared on the “Borat“ soundtrack?
No changes at all, business as normal. It’s a good promotion and a reasonable income but it doesn’t change much about our life.
Many different artists have remixed your work, including Nouvelle Vague and Felix B, how do you feel about these remixes?
The Novelle Vague track is really outstanding, it’s great but it’s almost a new song. Most of the remixes are OK but they don’t really touch us.
I noticed that “Mahalagaesca” also appears on PS3’s “Little Big Planet 2”. Have you played that game?
I haven’t played the game, I’m not sure about the other (younger) band members.
If you weren’t in a band what would you be doing today?
Still playing music. We didn’t learn anything else.
Do you still play weddings?
We still do so, but with the fame we are now also in the very comfortable situation to decide how long we are playing a wedding. 10 years ago we had to play 10 – 20 hours (of course with breaks) at a wedding, nowadays we play 40 to 80 minutes and are better paid. Believe me this is very luxurious for us!
What are you looking forward to about WOMADelaide?
We are really looking forward to the Australian audience, we’ve heard from friends that the crowd is amazing there. We’re also looking forward to meeting other artists.
Which artists in particular are you looking forward to seeing?
Mad Professor, Tinariwen, Baaba Maal and Kimmo Pohjonen.
Apart from playing WOMADelaide, what at are you looking forward to doing whilst in Australia?
I hope we find time to do some sight seeing, hopefully having a trip to the beach and spend some time with Australians.
Mahala Rai Banda play WOMADelaide Sunday March 11th @ 2pm.
They’re also presenting a workshop on Saturday March 12th @ 2pm.