Beirut – folk gypsy music goes mainstream (ish).

Zach Condon and his low pitch ‘whiney’ harmonies are coming to Montreal on July 17^th. The accordion and trumpet quartet known as Beirut have really developed a strong fan base in spite of avoiding the usual markers for pop success. There is a subtle appeal for Condon’s song writing that seems to stem from his years of recording music in his home in New Mexico as a teenager. His travels through Europe seem to come through the music so literally that the comparison to Irish and eastern euro sounds are hard to avoid. “Gypsy styles to the alternately plaintive and whimsical indie folk of the Decemberists,” alleges the bio on allmusic.com. It also can’t hurt that Condon seemed to be around and involved with bands like Neutral Milk Hotel and A Hawk and Hacksaw – bands that gained cult followings before any industry charter was written about them.

If you have to hear one song from Beirut, Santa Fe will have you hooked http://beirutband.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/02-Santa-Fe.mp3

Beirut are currently on tour for their 2011 release The Ripe Tide; check for shows in your hood.  http://beirutband.com/shows/

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/beirut-mn0000984877