October 23, 2005
OAKLAND, CA. The musical group Fishtank Ensemble today announced the schedule for its 2005 West Coast Tour, promoting the band's new CD Super Raoul.
"Audience reaction has been extremely positive" states band member and accordionist Aaron Seeman. "One thing which has amazed us and our audiences is how quickly we were able to bring the music to its present level."
The tour, which begins on November 3, includes 14 confirmed dates, ranging from Seattle in the north to Los Angeles in the south:
| Thursday, November 3 | BERKELEY, CA | Epic Arts Studios |
| Friday, November 4 | SANTA CRUZ, CA, | Cayuga Vault |
| Saturday, November 5 | MOUNT SHASTA, CA, | The Stage Door Cabaret |
| Tuesday, November 8 | COTTAGE GROVE, OR, | The Art of Everything |
| Wednesday, November 9 | PORTLAND, OR | Fez Ballroom and Lounge |
| Thursday, November 10 | OLYMPIA, WA | Yes Yes |
| Sunday, November 13 | SEATTLE, WA | The Fun House |
| Tuesday, November 15 | PORTLAND, OR | The Red and the Black Cafe |
| Wednesday, November 16 | EUGENE, OR | Sam Bonds Garage |
| Thursday, November 17 | ASHLAND, OR | The Mobius |
| Friday, November 18 | REDDING, CA | Breaking New Ground |
| Saturday, November 19 | SACRAMENTO, CA | To be arranged. |
| Saturday, November 26 | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | Radio show on KALW 91.7 FM |
| Thursday, December 1 | BERKELEY, CA | The Starry Plough |
| Sunday, December 4 | LOS ANGELES (PASADENA), CA | The Coffee Gallery |
| Tuesday, December 6 | LOS ANGELES (SILVERLAKE), CA | The Fold (Silverlake Lounge) |
| Thursday, December 8 | LOS ANGELES (SILVERLAKE), CA | Tangier Grill |
Show details and updates are available on the band's website, http://www.fishtankensemble.com/shows.html.
Fishtank Ensemble offers a unique blend of up-tempo Gypsy and Balkan tunes and original compositions. Since the group's inception in January, 2004, it has been delighting audiences in the San Francisco Bay Area. Now the entire West Coast can experience it's unique blend of music.
The 7-peice groups arrangements are always surprising, and include instruments from many countries, from flamenco-style guitar to the Japanese shamisen. You may not know what to call the result ("acoustic traditional/eclectic" comes close), but it will have you smiling and toe-tapping.
The Gypsy violin of Fabrice Martinez is the backbone of the sound, and has to be heard to be believed. Originally from France, Fabrice spent seven years criss-crossing Europe in a mule-drawn caravan learning and playing folk music with the ensemble "Croque Mule." Much of that time was spent living in Rumania, often in Gypsy (Romani) villages.
The band also features the voice of the talented and beautiful Ursula Knudsen, "The Swedish Nightingale" (or is that Jenny Lind?), who when she isn't playing the saw or violin, sings everything from cabaret to art song. There is nothing ordinary about this band--so check them out!
Fishtank Ensemble has members in common with nearly a dozen West Coast avant garde groups, including Secret Chief's 3, Estrasphere, God of Shamisen, and Punk Rock Orchestra.
From the smokey cafes of Bucharest to the Gypsy caravans of yesterday, this 7-piece group evokes the spirit of a past age with the sounds of tomorrow. Don't miss it!