How Moldovan Zdob Si Zdub Rocks the Post-Soviet Globally Induced Mayhem on Basta Mafia!

What city what country is this stage I am on? Asks Roman Iagupov on the track “Gypsy Life” from the new Zdob Si Zdub album titled Basta Mafia! (February 14th), along with the digital single 'Running' (November 15th) . And it’s no surprise being that Zdob Si Zdub are in the truest sense of the word an “international” band. Constantly on the move crossing borders from country to country on never ending tours. Along the way the band has picked up and mastered many musical flavours. Incorporating as they see fit to express the mood to any song. 

Their musical competence is outwardly obvious. From their humble beginnings as a Moldovan folk influenced ska-punk band, they’ve easily layered a true world mix of highly innovative listenable music with electronica dance and alt rock muscle without loosing any of their core roots. The band has propelled not once but twice to the high ranks of the finals of the Eurovision song contest. This year achieving this feat with the song “So Lucky” from the new Asphalt Tango release “Basta Mafia!”. Their appearance caused a storm of devotion on the internet from every country participating. Even capturing several prominent pop figures including Adele, Plan B producer Paul Epworth who went as far as to tweet his love of the band saying “…I just thought it was brilliant and so far removed from the Western European entries …. I loved the beautiful eccentricity … ”. But the band didn’t just appear out of nowhere from one of Europe’s poorest countries to having a audience of 160 million people rocking out to So Lucky. This Basta Mafia track was born from years of touring. Not just crossing borders and influences but views as well. The record title alone “Basta Mafia!” deals out a statement in itself of where they come from (the former Soviet Union) to what has become now (another superpower of the underworld) to where they are heading (their own independent route ). So with a sense of irony and humor the title “Basta Mafia!” suggest a stop to the old ways. Not only the political but also the musical and mental ways. To make the break from old the band went to record in the ever transformative city of Berlin Germany. The city that in turn transformed the likes of David Bowie, Iggy Pop, U2, Peaches , Bonaparte and countless others. In Berlin’s cross cultural talent pool the boys worked with Marc Elsner as their new innovative producer... Although he has stated that his secret is to work with the best musicians he can find, Mr Elsners ability to bring a band to full potential soundscape is absolutely unprecedented.  New York’s Andy Schuman who spearheaded the songwriting of the pop to Pink Floyed like grandiosity of Dark Horse, the Nirvana like grunge of Handfullaflowers to the hardcore of San Francisco punk legends Verbal Abuse was also brought in to help bring Roman’s vision of the songs to English. This multicultured combination of talents has led to Zdob Si Zbub’s most ambitious and accessible piece of work yet. The band truly speaks to the world with their broadest strokes across the musical canvas to date. The bands ability to capture fans with their high spirited live shows is doubly blessed by their proficiency to write songs that hook listeners the first time through.  “Basta Mafia!” is a monster of a record that grows and swells upon multible listenings. Enjoy…