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Starting with a legendary warehouse party in Auckland in 2007 featuring The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band and DJ Balkanetic, Gypsy Fever has grown into a national phenomenon with many packed out events in Auckland and Wellington, four national tours and appearances at several major festivals including Splore, Parihaka and Prana.

Now DJ Balkanetic has compiled a CD featuring 12 East European influenced bands from New Zealand and Australia including Gypsy Fever favourites such as The Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band, The Mamaku Project, The Jews Brothers and Niko Ne Zna. From gypsy swing to Balkan brass to electro to gypsy punk, this compilation explores many facets of this burgeoning scene with a firm eye upon the dancefloor.

Gypsy Fever is a celebration of the cultural collisions that happen in Australia and New Zealand, countries that are very remote from Europe but yet are connected culturally. Where else can you find an Australian born Polish artist singing in a Papua New Guinean language with a Balkan feel being remixed by one of France’s top producers?

“Me I’m Not Myself” is the music video for the new single release (and Monkey Records debut) by Auckland, New Zealand based artist Graveyard Love.

This video was made in one weekend in October. On a Friday night while drinking in a bar somewhere in Auckland word was received that a $30,000 camera was available for the weekend. Following a few phone calls, a sick call for work and more alcohol, the video was underway.

The Armageddon expo was on and with this in mind the theme of dissociation and alienation began to unfold. The lead was to be chased by a faceless assailant and then manages to utilise a zombie make-up stand to help blend in with the crowds to assist escape.

The two lead characters (different versions of the same actor) were emphasising the spilt of the individual. Furthermore, the use of Armageddon (a science fiction and comic expo) is further giving reference to alienation and disconnectedness (i.e. escapism).

The final scene, played out in 200fps, is the crowning glory of the video. The lead is drenched in rain as he meets an untimely end. From the forthcoming EP, Disassociate.

Niko Ne Zna are New Zealand’s very own Balkan Gypsy brass extravaganza. With a history that goes back 7 years, this 8 piece band has evolved into a true Gypsy juggernaut stunning audiences everywhere they go with their thrillingly energetic and dynamic performances. Now, finally their long anticipated debut album Renegade Brass Bandits is here!

After a few lineup changes over the years and the introduction of additional brass the current lineup is undoubtedly the best yet and has been driving audiences wild for the past 2 years. There’s even some more authentic Eastern-European blood in the band with percussionist Vlatko Materic joining bandleader Frankie Curac. After years of being instrumental, the addition of vocals when Nikkie Rich joined the band a couple of years ago took it to a whole new level and she sings in Serbo-Croatian, Roma Gypsy and Greek. The album consists of seven originals and three traditional songs that will take you across the Balkans with a kiwi flavor.

With the current lineup comprising 2 trumpets, saxophone, vocals, accordion, bass and tenor trombones, sousaphone, percussion, Balkan bass drum and snare drum, Niko Ne Zna are a truly authentic ensemble. They can roam while playing, and enchant the audience into dancing, singing, clapping and stomping all night long. The band consists of some of Wellington’s finest instrumentalists who come from a wide array of musical backgrounds that unite together to produce a cocktail that will make your ears rise to attention and your feet move in a frenzy. Their music is high energy with dark undertones and sexy gypsy style. Niko Ne Zna are a world class act with exotic tunes, fantastic grooves and exciting solos.

Since August 2012, we are now releasing a single every week on our SoundCloud page – first 100 downloads free.