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How did you get involved in the music industry?
Through necessity. Looking back when I was younger there wasn't a moment I wasn't playing something or at least thinking about music. It was a natural progression for me to be in this industry, but there were certainly some defining moments like seeing and hearing Perth saxophonist Jamie Oehlers play, when I was 15. He was only 18 at the time and BLEW ME AWAY. That was the moment I knew I was going to be doing this for the rest of my life.
How did you get involved in the music industry and where did it all begin?
Originally I’m from Clejani, and related to the Taraf de Haidouks, of whom I have toured with many times. The first time I toured with my own group Rom Bengale (Gypsy Devils) was in 1998. In 2002, I started up Mahala Rai Banda – partly due to Rom Bengale and others. There were more wind instruments from the North Eastern Romanian Brass traditions. My intention was to take our traditional music forward to the next generation – forward to the next century. I could sense the lack of interest in the younger generations from our traditional music. As a result, they are listening to our music and learning the way of our traditions.
What influences you and your music?
Music from all over the world: Bollywood, Western hits, Oriental music and traditional Romanian music. I grew up with traditional Romanian music, and this is most important to us.
What are Balkan beats?
No idea. I think this is a term journalists created in order to give the music we are playing a name. Anyway, it’s a synonym for handmade and very emotional music.
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