Džal džal (“There He Goes”)

Džal džal (“There He Goes”)

by | Oct 26, 2020

When we hear a Roma pop song and ask someone what the song’s about, we usually get a confident, straightforward answer:  [Shrug] Love!  Romantic love is one of the simple joys that can be found in the difficulties of daily life – that’s why it’s...
Devla Tu (“I Truly Love You”)

Devla Tu (“I Truly Love You”)

by | Sep 30, 2020

“I Truly Love You” is worship song well-known among Roma in Kosice and the surrounding region, and can be found in various versions on Youtube and other social sharing sites. Its original author is unknown, but its simple melody and message speaks of the Roma...
Romanca

Romanca

by | Sep 23, 2020

“Romanca” is an instrumental song written by the students and director of the Galakticka School Band. It is a technical piece, meant to give the lead guitarist a chance to improvise on a simple melody. But though it’s a practice piece and not similar to traditional...
Project Spreads Roma Music for the World to Hear It

Project Spreads Roma Music for the World to Hear It

by | Jun 9, 2020

I still remember our first visit to the Lunik 9 settlement in Kosice, Slovakia. By that time, nearly eight years ago, the neighborhood was already known as one of the largest Roma slums in Central Europe. It seemed out of place – an ugly holdout of poverty in a...
Out & About

Out & About

by | Jun 3, 2020

“Out & About” is an instrumental song written by the students and director of the Galakticka School Band.  This is not the kind of music these students would typically play.  Rather than emulating their popular Roma musical icons of today, this song...
Nane Cocha (I Have Nothing)

Nane Cocha (I Have Nothing)

by | Jun 3, 2020

Nane Cocha is an old Roma folk song that’s taken on new life in recent years.  It’s a simple ballad about a young girl who’s getting married, leaving everything behind for her new life.   No one is sure where the song originally came from or how old it is....