Exclusive interview with The Vignatis. Listen to the band on Gosh!Radio, Meet the Music, Oct. 28th, 2012. During the live show call 559 546 1700 (a California number) and enter code 472737.
By Gabrielle Pantera
The Vignatis
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!Radio) 2012/10/20 –“One time I was playing a solo with my eyes closed and some woman stuck a rose in my mouth,” says Boro Rye Fabrice of The Vignatis. “I was bleeding from the thorns. At least it made the audience laugh.”
The Vignatis released their second album, Birth of the Gypsybilly 2 in June. The core of the Gypsy music-inspired pop singing group The Vignatis is Boro Rye Fabrice and Bori Rani Tracy. The two met while part of a big band. Tracy was the singer, Fabrice the guitar player.
“Our artistic vision can be heard in Vol. 2. We will continue to expand on the more rocky-edge that you hear in Vol. 2,” says Fabrice. “With regard to the future, I think we may become more experimental in featuring different instruments. Our sound will probably evolve as time goes by and as we work with different musicians.”
“We write with regard to topics from life’s struggles, childhood insecurities, love, travels and world peace,” says Fabrice. “Part of our message is for each person to become happy by becoming aware of the nature of their own lives.”
The Vignatis blends English and French vocals with Gypsy orchestration featuring acoustic guitar, clarinet, accordion and violin, swingin’ drivin’ rockin’ drum beats with modern/vintage instrumentation of electric guitar and upright slap bass as used in Rock-a-Billy. Their unique sound has the Southern twang of a honky tonk piano and pedal steel. It’s Rockabilly, Gypsy, Country and Jazz.
The Vignatis recorded their first CD, Birth of the Gypsybilly, with the rhythm section of the Brian Setzer Orchestra, featuring Bernie Dresel on drums and John “Spazz” Hatton on upright bass. They also recorded with violinist Charlie Bisharat.
The Vignatis new CD Birth of the Gypsybilly Vol. 2.
Joining the Vignatis on their second CD are John “Spazz” Hatton on upright slap bass, Bernie Dresel on drums, Dan Weinstein on violin, ee Rabe on accordion and Paul Hilton on pedal steel.
Gypsy Jazz originated in France. It replaces drums with rhythm guitar to embrace the mobile nature of the Gypsy culture. It uses a special percussive technique of up-down strumming called “La Pompe” emphasized on beats 2 and 4. The Vignatis employ a technique they call La Pompe Renversée, emphasizing beats 1 and 3 in tandem with the bass as a musical signature. They utilize the chromatic and Gypsy scales often performed with violin and clarinet in traditional Gypsy music.
Fabrice plays guitar. “You can do everything on a guitar,” says Fabrice. “Harmony, rhythm and melody. For me, it’s a great instrument for writing.”
Tracy plays clarinet and piano. “I chose clarinet against my will in 7th grade,” says Tracy. “My mom didn’t want me to play my first choice of trumpet. She must’ve known what was best because I really connect with the clarinet and its nerdy ways.”
Fabrice and Tracy have each been singing since a very young age. Their first CD Birth of the Gypsybilly was released in February 2009 on their own label GB Music. It’s available at iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby. Birth of the Gypsybilly Vol. 2 released in June.
The Vignatis has performed in Southern California and Europe. As a contemporary hybrid band, there are many different styles with which they could do a “Crossroads.” “We’d love to tour with Brad Paisley, Brian Setzer, Chris Isaak, Eric Clapton, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, B.B. King, Zac Brown Band, Royal Crown Revue, Paris Combo, Sanseverino, Pink, Lady Gaga, Jay Z, or U2, to name a few,” says Fabrice. “What they do is so creative and true.”
Fabrice was born in France in the Alps in a little town called Aix Les Bains, known for its healing spa. Tracy was born in California. “I am an Air Force Brat so we moved here and there,” says Tracy. “I spent half of my childhood in Georgia so that’s where I get the Southern influence. Georgia is the epitome of America and I love the hospitality of the people and of course, Country music.” Animals are a passion says Tracy, who supports both Last Chance for Animals run by Chris DeRose and St. Martin’s Animal Foundation run by Sky Valencia.
Up Coming Performances
2012
France in November 10-27
2013
February 8, 2013 9:00pm
The Mint
6010 W. Pico Blvd. (between Robertson & Fairfax)
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Meet the Music host Gabrielle Pantera
About Meet the Music
Hosted by Gabrielle Pantera, Meet the Music premiered in June of 2011. The 1-hour weekly music talk show interviews bands, singers, musicians, composers, songwriters, and music executives. The show broadcasts live worldwide at www.ustream.com/channel/goshradio and is also available through other outlets. For the schedule of upcoming shows, international call-in numbers, and to access the archives, go to www.goshradio.com.
Meet the Music is executive produced by Gabrielle Pantera and is a production of Gosh!Radio and Gosh!TV. Gosh!TV is based at the historic Raleigh Studios Hollywood lot. Many TV shows are shot at Raleigh Studios, such as ABC Castle and ABC Private Practice. For further information about Gosh!TV go to www.goshtv.com.
You can tune in at www.ustream.tv/channel/goshradio.
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