Fishtank Ensemble: Links

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Fishtank Ensemble: Links

Also check out the FAQ page for links to bands you might like.

On-Line Resellers

Fishtank Ensemble's recordings are available at the following resellers:

CDbaby.com
CDbaby.com: Fishtank Ensemble CDs

Fan Sites

Fishtank Ensemble Unofficial Home Page (now combined with this site)

Romani (Gypsy) Culture

The Patrin Web Journal: Romani (Gypsy) Culture and History
They Call Themselves Roma Michael Shapiro, Rootsworld

Balkan Music

The History of Rumanian Music
The Romanian Doina Robert Garfias
Romica Puceanu: Romanian Gypsy Singer Robert Garfias
Hungarian Music and Radio on the Internet
Lost Trails

Shamisen Links

Triplex-sound.com -- Tsugaru shamisen FAQ, about Tsugaru music, photos of Tsugaru, directory of musicians, message board (requires Flash)
Kevin Kmetz's special projects
Shammy's page
Artlino.com: Shamisen
The Last of the Tsugaru Troubadours: An Interview with YAMADA Chisato (1931-2004)"
Unv. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library: Shamisen
Far Side Music on-line retailer of Japanese music CDs, including traditional shamisen. Located in London.

Other Projects

The following bands have members in common with Fishtank Ensemble:

Croque Mule (member in common: Fabrice Martinez)
Croque Mule at Folkclub Twente (French/Français)
Croque Mule at Folkclub Twente (Dutch/Nederlands)

Duckmandu! (= Aaron Seeman):
Duckmandu! (official site)

Amazing Accordion (= Aaron Seeman):
Amazing Accordion (official site)

Punk Rock Orchestra (members in common: Aaron Seeman):
Punk Rock Orchestra (official site)

El Douje (= Douglas Smolens):
El Douje (official site)

Foxycock (member in common: Douglas Smolens):
Foxycock (official site)

Secret Chiefs 3 (members in common: Kevin Kmetz):
Secret Chiefs 3 (unofficial site)
Secret Chiefs 3 (at Mimicry Records)

Estradasphere (members in common: Tim Smolens, Kevin Kmetz, Adam Stacey)>
Estradasphere (official site)
Estradasphere(at Mimicry Records)

Tsugaru Shamisen Duo (member in common: Kevin Kmetz):
Kevin Kmetz's special projects (fan page)

God of Shamisen (member in common: Kevin Kmetz):
God of Shamisen Home Page (official site)

West Coast Bands

Here are some great West Coast bands that play traditional music (OK, we admit to a little log-rolling here--but these bands are excellent!):

The Toids Traditional music of Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and more. Based in Berkeley. Consists of tambura/bouzouki/guitar/kaval, violin, bass, percussion and vocals in original languages.

Balkan Cabaret Traditional songs of Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia, etc., sung in original languages. Based in Seattle.

BalkanaramaSeattle quartet of violin, sax, clarient/sax, guitar and voice playing "hot gypsy party music". They combine traditional vocals sung in Romany, Macedonian and Bulgarian with a more contemporary sound (including some electric guitar) and some original tunes. Their excellent homepage has information on Balkan music and sheet music with lyrics and chord charts.

San Francisco Bay Area

Here are a few interesting local bands:

Carne Cruda Latin and Carribean dance band from SF that plays all over the world.

Dynamic Sophisticated, jazz-influenced hip-hop quartet that lately has added a great female vocalist (requires Javascript).

Paige Talented singer/songwriter from Oakland sounds like Marilyn Monroe singing Tom Waits. Her new band has trumpet and stand-up base and plays with a Dixieland flair.