roma music and resistance…

We met at a cafe in Mile End for an informal conversation about Roma music, and how he has come to play within the genre. I hadn’t eaten, and so amidst the bustle and loud music, of a live band setting up for that evenings entertainment in one room, and the end of semester gathering of what appeared to be fellow comms students in the other, we sat at a table, and spoke about Roma music and whether there is an element of dissent emerging amidst this vivacious music, which is such a declaration of life.

Lubo’s background is musically diverse, from Bulgarian folk to Jazz, and now this passionate pursuit of Roma music. Coming to it as a “gadjo”, from a country with a large Roma population, where the musical influence is deeply felt, he spoke of his fascination with the profound sense of vitality, the celebratory, the simple portrayal and accompaniment of life which is embodied in Roma music. In my attempt to discern a music emerging as a form of dissent, throughout the many stages of struggle, of wandering, of having their culture and way of life denigrated, Lubo spoke of the vitality of the moment. Lyrics speak of life as lived through the everyday event, marriage, love, death, human life. We spoke about the tension of Roma versus “gadjo”, the social cohesion strengthened by outside pressure, the effects of racism and constant dispersion. Amidst all this suffering, the theme of passionate love, and perhaps the idea of a subconscious hero, were two elements of conversation that were left as incomplete thoughts.

To discover his own music, and since he and his band Kabah Horo play regularly in Montreal, I will be back next week with some video and photo footage, but for now, there is always their website.

“Lubo Alexandrov | Kaba Horo.” 11 Dec. 2007 <http://www.luboalexandrov.com/>