Facts about Balkan Beat Box

If you’re a fan of music, then you need to check out Balkan Beat Box. They are a unique band that combines music from Eastern Europe with modern beats and rhythms. What makes them truly special is their live performances. If you have the chance, be sure to watch them online! In the meantime, here are some fun facts about the band that you may not know.

History and definition

Balkan Beat Box was formed in 2005 by Israeli musicians Ori Kaplan and Tamir Muskat. They were inspired by music from the Balkans, Israel, and beyond. The band has also been described as “Mediterranean music”, with influences ranging from flamenco to electronic music and hip hop.

Online video series

In 2020, Balkan Beat Box started its own online video series called “BBB TV”. Each episode features a special guest musician and unique musical collaborations.

Musical instruments

In addition to traditional instruments like guitar and drums, Balkan Beat Box incorporates unusual items like bicycle bells and metal pipes into their music. This adds to their one-of-a-kind sound.

Collaborations

Balkan Beat Box has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including DJ Premier, Gogol Bordello, and Marky Ramone. They have also performed at music festivals all over the world, from Coachella in the United States to Exit Festival in Serbia.

The facts

1. Balkan Beat Box was originally formed as a side project for Israeli music producer, Tamir Muskat, and bassist Ori Kaplan.
2. The group’s music has been featured in films such as “Furious 7” and “Step Up: All In.”
3. They have performed at music festivals all over the world, including Coachella and Glastonbury.
4. Their music is not just influenced by Eastern European music, but also by African music, Latin music, and more.
5. The band has collaborated with artists such as Gogol Bordello and Serbian singer Rambo Amadeus.

So next time you hear Balkan Beat Box’s music, you can impress your friends with these fun facts. And don’t forget to watch their energetic live performances online or in person! You can visit their website by clicking here.

Balkan Beat Box describes its sound as “globalized urban mash-ups,” with brass bands, wedding organs and a rooster’s crow all finding a place in their recordings. Although the three band members were raised far from the Balkans, percussionist Tamir Muskat traces the band’s inspiration to a childhood that amounted to musical potpourri.

“Me and all my friends, I’d say 90 percent of us are first-generation in Israel,” Muskat tells Morning Edition host Renee Montagne. “My best friends’ parents were from Iraq, Egypt, Poland, Romania. You name it, I mean everywhere.”

As a young child, Muskat says he heard the music of these places at friends’ houses — one day Iraqi music and the next day Russian songs.

Balkan Beat Box came together many years later on the other side of the world, when Muskat met saxophonist and fellow Israeli Ori Kaplan in New York. The two musicians credit the city for bringing them together in music united by their shared heritage.

“We always say this band wouldn’t happen without New York City,” Muskat says. “Think about it politically, as well: In Israel, unfortunately, you can only get Middle Eastern music that is Jewish-oriented. To get to the Muslim part of things, there’s no way.”