The Rembetika Hipsters are a Canadian band based in Calgary, Alberta. They perform primarily Greek rebetiko music, as well as composing original music and exploring styles from Epirus, known as Epirotika, Smyrnaiko music from the region now known as İzmir, and Nisiotika music of the Greek islands.
History The band began in 1996 with Nikos Diochnos (bouzouki, vocals) and Allen Baekeland (guitar and vocals). Giorgos Iosifelis plays bass guitar, Lincoln Frey adds clarinet and melodeon, Jonathan Lewis adds violin and baglamas and Malcolm Lim plays hand percussion instruments such as darbuke. Brigitte Dajczer also played and recorded the violin from October 1999 to 2007. Other past members have included Danny Patton (bass), Ben Johnson (percussion), Jon Nordstrom (bass), and Edmond Agopian (violin).
By 1998, the band was performing locally in Calgary.. Chart Attack - Nov 15, 2000 In 2002, they began performing weekly at Calgary's Pegasus restaurant, and continued there for many years.
The group later performed at music festivals, concert halls, and small venues across Canada."Audience on its feet for Hipsters" . Jack Evans, The Intelligencer, Belleville, Ontario. August 6, 2008 They have traveled to Greece twice to play, reunite with family, and learn about the culture.Hanson, Matt. "The Music of Greek Storytelling". Le Raconteur, Storytellers of Canada, May 2013. Volume 17, No. 3. page 13 - 15. They performed at the 2001 and 2007 Calgary Folk Music Festival.
In 2011, the band released their third album, Kafeneion."Reviews". Canada Folk Music, Volume 48, No. 2. page 37.
As of 2017, the Hipsters continue to perform in small venues around Alberta."The ‘Rembetika Hipsters’". The Vermilion Voice, February 28, 2017. Reporter Angela Mouly
Discography
Studio albums + Albums by the Rembetika Hipsters Year Release title Label and date 2001 Architects Of Narghilé Socrates Pizza (SPR001) 2004 Dinner in Polidroso Socrates Pizza (SPR002) 2011 Kafeneion (Jan 1, 2011)
References
External links