At the heart of the Halifax-based group Gypsophilia lies a deep-seated desire to push musical boundaries.
Over the course of their three full-length records, the group has mixed gypsy jazz music with klezmer, funk, classical music and indie rock, creating a truly original sound.
The group has become a formidable touring outfit, travelling throughout North America, performing many sold-out shows along the way. Gypsophilia’s show at Moncton’s Capitol Theatre Thursday is one of four shows that the group will perform in the province.
Although he can’t quite put his finger on what it is, Gypsophilia’s Ross Burns says there is definitely an energy and enthusiasm among their New Brunswick fans that is unique.
“The last time we performed in New Brunswick, we had people shouting for songs by name and just generally being really enthusiastic throughout our performances,” Ross says “Whether it is because we are so geographically close to the province or because our record label Forward Music has ties to the Fredericton area, we have always felt as though New Brunswick is a nice home away from home for the band.”
Formed in 2004, the seven-piece Gypsophilia originally came together for a Halifax Jazz Festival performance where they were paying tribute to famed guitarist Django Reinhardt.
Although many in the group had experience performing in a band, coming together as Gypsophilia was a bit of a different experience.
“In some cases, some of us in the band were acquaintances but in other cases, some were complete strangers to one another,” Ross says. “We were not thinking of any kind of long-range plans. I think that each of us just wanted to step up to the plate and do some justice to the music of Django Reinhardt.
“We got together for that one but the rapport between us on stage was instant, as was the reaction from the audience. We quickly had a lot of people supporting the band, which was just amazing. Ten years and four East Coast Music Awards later, we haven’t really slowed down.”
The group went on to become a phenomenon in their hometown. Gypsophilia would regular rent out halls, throwing sold-out swing dance parties.
After a few years of refining their live show and building a fan base, the group recorded and released their first album, Minor Hope, in 2007. The album would earn the young band both East Coast Music Award and Music Nova Scotia Award nominations.
In 2009, Gypsophilia released Sa-ba-da-OW!, their sophomore record. The album won two East Coast Music Awards (Jazz and Instrumental Album of the Year) as well as a Music Nova Scotia Award for Jazz Album of the Year.
Because the group performs instrumental music and also plays without a drummer, Ross says that they have had to continually innovate to make their music tell the story that a vocalist normally would.
“We have always been an instrumental band,” he says. “We never thought that the lack of having vocals in the group left a gaping hole in the band.
“However, one of the challenges with playing instrumental music is that we need to tell a story and engage people via the group’s energy in our songs and on stage. We have really tried to put the focus upon having a dynamic live show. I really feel as though that is one of our strengths. If you want people to dance to the music or listen to the story you are telling them, you need to have that rapport and connection with the audience.”
Ross says that later this year, the band will begin recording their next full-length effort. As they narrow down whom they want to work with and where they will record, the group is letting spontaneity be their guiding light. At a time when music can be technically perfect but lack any real type of soul, Ross says the band is taking inspiration for their new music wherever they can find it.
“The great thing about the band is that there are seven composers in the group, meaning there are seven potential directions that the music can go. It all depends on who is behind the song,” he says. “Our ultimate goal is to not repeat ourselves. We love each of our past records but have no interest in re-making any of our previous albums.
“A lot of what we discover works best for the band is to perform the music live and see where it takes us. We love the spontaneity aspect of playing new music live and bringing that into the studio.
“A lot of the magic of music can be lost if you overthink things once you get into the recording studio. A lot of my favourite recordings have warts and blips that you can hear in the music but because it ultimately reflects something very special which was happening at that very moment, it ends up being far more real and beautiful to the listener.”
What: Gypsophilia
When: Thursday, March 20,
7:30 p.m.
Where: Capitol Theatre,
811 Main St., Moncton
Tickets start at $23 plus service charges. Advance tickets are available at the Capitol Theatre Box Office, by phone at (506) 856-4379 and online at capitol.nb.ca