But this group of 20-somethings all had side projects with electronica bands.

so they listen to our music for what it is: dance music - dance music inspired by their own culture.'Ĭaravan Palace's three founding members, violinist Payen, guitarist Vial and bassist Charles Delaporte started out as jazz musicians, playing standards in a swing band. 'We were inspired by their music, by their culture. 'We were very afraid of the reaction of gypsies, and really understood that we weren't here to do the same job as them,' he says. Violinist and Caravan Palace co-founder Hugo Payen says he was worried about their reaction. 'Just they needed more, more bass!'įrom the beginning the musicians were well aware that they would face all kinds of criticism from traditionalists - especially gypsies, or Roma as they're more properly called, who depend on the continued interest in their music to make a living. 'We come back with this old stuff, with modern electronic beats and so people just think, 'Oh, I'm swinging, I'm swinging,'' he says. Guitarist Arnaud Vial points out that back in the '30s and '40s, people danced to swing music, so combining swing and today's dance makes perfect sense. At the heart of the group's popularity is a confluence of gypsy jazz, American swing from the '30s and a high-energy electronic beat.

Even with an anonymous beginning, last year the group sold over 150,000 copies of its first CD and reached No. you'll be dancing.Ĭaravan Palace formed when the band was recruited to compose the soundtrack for a silent porn movie. The group had one of the top records in France last year. That's just what you'd hear if you happen into a club where the band Caravan Palace is playing. Imagine sashaying into a night club, looking to get down to some thumping electro, only to hear swing music from the 1930s.

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