(ARTS) Balkanic Eruption

"New York-based Israeli electro-folk band Balkan Beat Box has emerged as a top international act, with its distinct approach and all-around good vibes.

If it’s Tuesday, this must be Vienna. Ori Kaplan is truly a citizen of the world – the saxophonist for the Balkan Beat Box was born and raised in Israel, has spent well over a decade living in New York City, and now, at least for the time being, hangs his klezmer-meets-hip hop hat in Vienna, where his wife’s job recently sent the couple with their year-old baby.

'I’ve barely been here the last few months, but my stuff is here, and it’s my home base right now,' said Kaplan last week from his home. It was a couple weeks after the celebrated Israeli trio of Kaplan, drummer Tamir Muskat and rapper/percussionist/resident wild man Tomer Yosef – along with a support cast of like-minded gyspy electropunk collaborators appeared at the Lollapolooza Festival in support of Lady Gaga, a few days after they headlined a packed end-of-summer Friday afternoon rave in Gan Sacher in Jerusalem, and a couple weeks before take the stage on September 28 during Hol Hamoed Succot at the Tamar Festival at the Dead Sea."