The Vignatis appeared on Gosh!Radio, Meet the Music, Jan 14th 2012.
By Gabrielle Pantera
The Vignatis, the sound of Gypsy rockabilly, on Gosh!Radio on Saturday
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!Radio) 2012/1/12 –“Sometimes a melody/hook will come to us separately and we will build around it together,” says Bori Rani Tracy of The Vignatis. “Or, Fabrice will write a structure with a general melody and I will embellish it and add lyrics or we each write our own songs.” Boro Rye Fabrice says, “When I co-write with Tracy, I come up with a chord progression that hopefully with inspire her to come up with a great melody and then either she or I or both write the lyrics.”
Boro Rye Fabrice and Bori Rani Tracy are the Gypsy music-inspired pop singing duo The Vignatis. “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 is producing a new CD now, Birth of the Gypsybilly Vol. 2.
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. Their next CD will be Birth of the Gypsybilly Vol. 2.
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.
Meet the Music host Gabrielle Pantera
About Meet the Music
The show premiered in June of 2011. The 1-hour weekly music talk show Meet the Music is hosted by Gabrielle Pantera who interviews bands, singers, musicians, composers, songwriters, and music executives. Show co-hosts vary. Sound engineer David Williams. Producer Robin Rowe. Executive Producer Gabrielle Pantera. The show broadcasts live from Melrose Music Studios at Raleigh Studios Hollywood. Raleigh Studios is a historic studio lot where TV shows such as Castle, Closer and Private Practice are currently in production.
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