One man and his ukulele

Heres a music/band review I did for a magazine project I did of recent..


When 16 year old Zach Condon packed his bags to go travelling around Europe, leaving his New Mexico home and prosperous education behind, little could be said as to what would become of him. Lost and lonely in the heart of Italy? Down and out on the streets of Paris? Or perhaps he would be inspired by the Balkan gypsy music of the Middle East, create a sound appealing to ears worldwide and become a significant part of the alternative music scene. Maybe we all should have dropped out of school...

Beirut combine elements of Eastern European folk sounds, soulful vocals and an endless reminiscence of founder Zach’s youthful travels. Unable to play guitar due to a damaged wrist, Zach's main instruments are the trumpet and ukulele. On stage he is joined by a band of 12, armed with an assortment of instruments such as an accordion, mandolin, flugel horn, glockenspiel and viola.

Music enthusiasts hungry for something new have been the key to the bands success. A huge online fan-base was built up after the leaked release of Beirut's 2006 debut album Gulag Orkestar, and critics and fans alike awaited their official release and imminent fame with bated breath. The hype transferred from internet to reality when Beirut performed their first live show to a sold out venue, witnessing first hand the legacy they had, somehow, already created.

Having produced two albums and countless EP's at the tender age of 22, Zach and his band captivate their audience with music a world away from the guitar-heavy indie bands that music scenesters are repeatedly exposed to. The most recent album released in 2007, The Flying Club Cup, draws influences from various Balkan brass orchestras and bohemian music of the Middle East, incorporating sounds from across the globe to create the charm and intrigue that is Beirut.

Unusual and bewitching, Beirut are a must listen for those seek something different. Zach Condon plays music that either makes you feel as though you travelled through Europe with him, or leaves you desperately wanting to go wherever it is that he went.