Booking: 412-215-2302 or melissa@ishtar-music.com
Ishtar is Pittsburgh's Classic BellyRock Band. Ishtar is comprised of Melissa Murphey on clarinet, Jeff Chmielarski on electric bass, Mark DeFilippo on darbuka, and Beth DeFilippo on riq and Rob Metil on Fender Stratocaster guitar.
Playing their own unique interpretation of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean folk melodies, Ishtar performs songs that were popular in the bellydancing nightclub scene during the mid-20th century. This exceptional fusion of traditional songs with surf rock elements has become: BellyRock.
In 2008, Ishtar was voted as Pittsburgh's Best Underground Band by the readers of the Citypaper!
The band has performed at several Pittsburgh locations: The Brillobox, Club Café, Zenith, The Sphinx Cafe, Backstage Bar, Khalil’s, Shadow Lounge, The Altar Bar, Your Inner Vagabond, The 31st Street Pub, Bloomfield Bridge Tavern, Howler's Coyote Cafe, The Thunderbird Cafe, The Warhol Museum, Mr Smalls Theater, Modern Formations Gallery and Space Gallery.
Ishtar has played for events in Morgantown WV, Akron OH, Charleston SC, Baltimore MD, and Charlotte NC. In both 2007 and 2008, Ishtar performed to record breaking crowds at the Washington DC Turkish Festival. Ishtar was the featured performing group at the Turkish American Student Association dinner for Turkish Republic Day.
Ishtar has had the distinction of being an opening band for Ana-Vey, Bellyqueen, Mandrake Project, PhatManDee, Bubba Hernandez & Polka Freakout, Shtreiml, Alan Bern & Guy Klucevsek, Cellofourte, Black Bear Combo and Raquy & the Cavemen.
Their influences are Mogollar, Erkin Koray, Dick Dale, Gothart, Trakya All Stars, Erkose Ensemble, Baris Manço, George Abdo, The Lively Ones, Gogol Bordello, Devotchka, Bo Diddley and Balkan Beat Box.
Contact: melissa@ishtar-music.com
www.ishtar-music.com
Members of Ishtar teach workshops and play music at the Jalsah events around the United States.
Ishtar is available to play for any event as well as specific dancer performances.
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