A million miles away from London, in Tel Aviv, Israel, seven young men were thrown together by mandatory military service. The years spent together in the desert led to them forming a musical group based on songs written by frontman Idan Rabinovici. Ultimately, however, the group became much more than a backing band and ‘Strange Folks’ were formed, an energetic musical experience best described as construction yard folk - mixing primitive rootsy influences with rock, jazz, electronica and a Middle Eastern twang. Strange Folks are not easy to categorise and just as difficult to forget.
Word spread and before long this newly formed group were playing to packed out audiences in their home town. Regularly drawing crowds of 500 people or more to their shows, the band decided that the next step was to expand their horizons. In April 2009, the band arrived in London and crammed their seven bodies into a one-bedroom flat, giving up the comfort of home in return for anything but the comfort of home. Just beginning their forays into the world of British music, the band are quickly developing a reputation for show-stopping concerts. Catch them once and you won’t forget the original, beguiling group that is Strange Folks.
::press clippings::
"Pure musical magic. Listening to a new album for the first time, and being completely floored by the first few sounds… This is exactly what happens when first listening to 'Morning Song', the opening track of Idan Rabinovici's debut album… From that moment on, one is completely captivated by Rabinovici's enchanting and intimate voice, which is both 40 years old and completely modern at the same time… "
Gal Uchovsky, TimeOut Israel
"...Beautiful arrangements, both delicate and complicated... There is not a dull moment in Rabinovici's debut album – it is one of those albums that you keep coming back to, to immerse yourself in his delicate voice and fragile sound… That is exactly what good music is meant to do."
Unfortunately I planned to be back in Italy for a couple of days, in that period..... I'll definitely miss your gig!! I really hope there's going to happen another opportunity to meet you again!
Thank you very much for the kind words :) Yes, hopefully they will. Do you think you could come back with the full band? Do you think there woud be enough space? x
Hello hello! Thank you all so much for coming along last night. Absolutely amazin, really enojyed your set and think you broke some hearts along the way... Hope to see you at one of nights again soon. Ania & Raife xxx
Hey guys! Thanx for the add! I was yesterday at your gig at Ther Dublin Castle, Camden T, London. You really shocked me!!!! You're absolutely, incredibly awesome!!!! Even if I use to be into some different kind of music, I appreciate your live performance a lot!!! You can be sure I'll do my best to spread your name in Italy, as I come back home!!!
PS: I'll stay in London for a couple of months, and I wish I could see you again on stage!
HEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELLO FROM MADRID !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS FOR THE ADD, WE APPRECIATE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE HOPE YOU LIKE OUR MUSIC. CHEERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey! Looking forward to seeing you on the 2nd. We have now moved venue to The Star pub at 47 Chester Road. Also, we will be having a comedy Edinburgh Festivsal Preview with Mackenzie Taylor! See you then, Ania & Raife xxx