About what MAHALA RAI BANDA means with its leader Aurel Ionita
I still have a lot to say and do in music
➤ Who is Mahala Rai Banda and why this name?
MAHALA RAI BANDA in free translation: the noble fiddlers from the periphery best define the kind of music we approach. Mahala Rai Banda is a band of Roma musicians whose foundations were laid by Aurel Ionita. The band approaches a series of musical styles and genres, the violins and accordions being combined with brass. The band’s music is positioned between traditional fiddle and club music, the so-called Balkan Beats. Since the release of their debut album, the reputation of Mahala Rai Banda has continued to grow internationally. The band has played more than 800 concerts in over 30 countries, at major festivals, but also in concert halls and famous clubs in …EUROPE, the U.S.A., LATIN AMERICA, AFRICA, ASIA, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. The song “Mahalageasca” was included on the soundtrack of the movie “Borat”, as well as in other film productions and in various commercials: SPRANCEANA CLAN, ANIMATED PLANET, STATES OF ROMANIA, HAKER, MASTER CARD-EURO CARD, ALTEX / BLAK FRIDAY, etc… Their first album ranked third on the World Music Charts Europe 2004. They are appreciated and considered to be pioneers of the phenomenon – ELECTRIC GIPSY LAND. Some of Mahala Rai Banda’s songs have been remixed or reinterpreted by Nouvelle Vague, Felix B (from Basement Jaxx), Balkan Beat Box, DJ Click, Russ Jones, Shantel and many more. Mahala Rai Banda released the second album “Ghetto Blasters” in 2009 at the Berlin- based record label Asphalt Tango, specializing in gypsy music. A good opportunity for the Independent columnist to welcome the release of the new album ranked at number one second of the World Music Charts Europe 2009: “Excellent Romanian gypsy music was reborn starting from two villages: Clejani, which sent the Taraful Haiducilor to the world and the village of Zece Prajini, from where the Ciocarlia band emerged. Mahala Rai Banda is a fusion between the two villages, with wonderful trumpet, saxophone, trombone and wild voices riffs”.
➤ Who is Aurel Ionita? Tell us a little about the other members of the band, too.
IONITA AUREL 28.04.1967 High school graduate: Alexandru Cerchez Industrial High School, Bucharest, but also sound courses and artistic entrepreneurship.
Profession: musician, instrumentalist, violin and voice, leader of the band “Mahala Rai Banda” Musical genre: Romanian / Romanian / Balkan
Professional biography:
Aurel Ionita comes from a family of the famous village of “fiddlers” from Clejani, county Giurgiu, having musical roots on both sides, from his mother and father.
From his mother, the popular rhapsodist, Staicu Dumitru and from his father the well-known member of Taraful Haiducilor, Neacsu Niculaie.
Music experience:
In 1998 he founded his first band, Rom Bengale.
In 2000, he made the musical arrangement on the CD “Iag Bari” together with the Ciocarlia band. In 2002, he made a musical arrangement with Kočani Orkestar on CD-Allone at my WEDING. In 2004 he founded the band Mahala Rai Banda and participates in the great festival Womex Expo, in Germany, and so far has active over 800 concerts abroad and in Romania.
● In 2004 he released his first album “Mahalageasca”, Krammed Disc, Belgium.
● In 2006, together with Stephan Karo, he signed the soundtrack of the first Romanian soap opera “Haker”, written by Alexandra Gulea, directed by Thomas Ciulei.
●In 2007 he made the soundtrack for the film „When the Light Gathers”, directed by Igor Cobilanski.
● In 2008, together with Stephan Karo, he made the soundtrack of the film BORAT, directed by SACHA COHEN.
●In 2008, he made the soundtrack of the animated series Animat Planet, made by Antena.
● In 2009 he released the album
“Ghetto Blasters”, Asphalt Tango, Germany.
● In 2010, at the “Ovo Music” production house, he signed, together with Ionel Tudor, the orchestral arrangements for the album “Lacrima de Jar” with Monica Anghel.
●In 2018 he made the soundtrack of the film “Alone at my wedding”, directed by Martha Berghman, a Romanian-Belgian production: The song “Mahalageasca” was included on the soundtrack of the film “Borat”, as well as in other film productions and various commercials such as: Voronskaya, Connex, CEC, Collaborations: Monica Anghel, Rona Hartner, Esma Redzepova, Saban Bajaramovic, Joni Iliev, Kalome, Fanfara Ciocarlia, Kocani Orchestra, Nouvelle Vague, Felix B (from Basement Jaxx), Balkan Beat Boxing, Russ Jones, Shantel, Gaetano Fabri, Goran Bregovici, Mariah Carry, Scorpions and others.
➤ If you weren’t making music, what would you have liked to do?
Music in fiddle Roma families is passed down from father to son as a legacy. At the same time, it can be perceived as a moral obligation towards the Roma ethnicity and culture. It’s one of the most beautiful trades in the world and I really don’t see myself doing anything else.
➤ How did you choose this style of music?
A new musical current was needed at the western market after: rock, pop, jazz … and traditional music in which everything had a certain ritual and way of performing, the public needed a moment of freedom and non-conformism. After a grueling day at work you want to relax, let go of stress, inhibitions and dress code aside, you wanted to find yourself in a music you don’t know but at the same time it is very familiar to you, you wanted to you live freely without prejudice in a new world full of energy, adrenaline and a lot of color. I think that defines the musical genre BALKAN BEATS.
➤ How come are you better known abroad than in Romania? Do you think it’s normal?
This does NOT seem normal to me, but unfortunately in Romania there are still controversies and prejudices regarding skin color, religion and ethnicity. After more than 15 years spent on the biggest stages in the world and invitations to grandiose festivals, the invitations from the country also started shyly. Over time, I hope this will be more frequent and at a higher level.
Concerts and Festivals:
Kustendorf (RS), Intl. Film & Music Festival, Moscow (RUS), Int. Perf. Arts Center (BALKAN BRASS BATTLE), Koblenz (D), Cafe Hahn, Wiesbaden (D), Schlachthof, Brussels (B), Balkan Traffic, Mühlheim (D) Ringlokschuppen, Groningen (NL), Liberation Festival / Stadspark 12h45, Wageningen (NL), Liberation Festival / Salverdalplein, Halle (D), Object 5, Erlangen (D), E- Werk, Kassel (D), Schlachthof, Dortmund (D), Konzerthaus (BALKAN BRASS BATTLE), Sindelfingen (D), Pavillion, Gorzow (PL), Rromani Dyvesa, Malmö (SE), Malmöfestivalen, Szombathely (HU), Bucharest ( RO), Balkanik Festival, Metz (F), La Bam, Besancon (F), La Rodia, Toulouse (F), Connexion Cafe, Cenon (F), Le Rocher de Palmer, Montpellier (F), L’Antirouille, Prague (CZ), Khamoro Festival, Plzen (CZ), Khamoro Festival, Prague (CZ), Khamoro Festival, Cojocna (RO), Ziua Multiculturalitati, Alba Iulia (RO), Alba Fest, Bodo (N) Nordland Musikfest, Bucharest (RO ) Pakivalo Festival, Bucharest (RO), Baro Foro Festival, Paris (F), Festival d’Ile de France, Rostock (D), Zwischenbau, Köping (SE), Teater Forum, Västeras (SE), Konserthus, Gothenborg (SE ), Stora Teatern, Copenhagen (DK), Global, Lübeck (D), Treibsand, Gorzow (PL) Romane Dyvesa, Swinoujscie (PL), Forde (N), Forde Festival, Antwerp (B), Muziek in de Wijk, Stary Sacz (PL), Pannonica Folk Festival, Brussel (B) , Balkan Traffic, Bucharest (RO), Ethnorama Festival, Budapest (HU), Budapest Folk Festival, Gorzów Wielkopolski (PL), Romane Divesa, Rabat (MA), Jazz Au Chellah, Dortmund (D), Domicil, Prague (CZ) , Acropolis Palace, Wroclaw (PL), Stary Klasztor, Riga (LV), Roma World Festival, Bierbeek (B), London (UK), Jazz Cafe, Summer Stage Festival, NY (USA), Quebec Summer Festival (C ).
➤ What projects do you have for 2021 and what did you not do in 2020? But for a longer future?
I hope that all the events that have been postponed from this year, for the year 2021 to materialize, to have health, strength and motivation to work on the material already started for the band’s third album. Let the world get over this pandemic well, let us be better, more loving, more tolerant with those around us.
➤ Where and how do you see yourself in 5 years?
If God willing and we will be healthy, I hope to be on stage for the next five years. I still have a lot to say and do in music.
