Meet Beirut. Originating in Santa Fe, New Mexico Zachary Francis Condon created this incredibly unique folk-indie-world band. Their Eastern European elements can categorize them as Balkan folk but the undeniable indie rock/pop feel comes from America. Put these two together and you’ve got yourself some world music. Which is exactly where I first heard Beirut. Hailey put together the majority of Bangin’ Babes World Music Week Playlist in which it included Postcards From Italy. Where have I heard this song before? Haven’t heard of Beirut. However, Florence and the Machine has. Ever hear her cover of Postcards from Italy? It’s wonderful, but lacks the worldly drums that attracted our ears to Beirut. Some interesting facts. Condon’s main instruments are a ukulele and a flugelhorn. My buddy Chuck Mangione so started that flugel shit. Love it. Beirut’s made up of an extensive group of instrumentalists; 8 musicians who play cello, accordian, guitar, mandolin, drums, violin, organ, keys, tambourine, baritone sax, glockenspiel, trumpet and euphonium. I’m impressed. Also, some other things I noticed. They’ve got a song called “Long Island Sound”, which is undoubtedly our one and only lying “soundly” between The Island and Connecticut. Aren’t they from Santa Fe? Indeed, however they also released an EP entitled “Lon Gisland” which, sound it out, is Long Island. Their first performances were in New York says Wikipedia. Perhaps they were inspired. So this is “Postcards from Italy”. Enjoy and make sure to check out more of Beirut as well as Florence and the Machine’s cover!

2 years ago  /  Notes