Mbrascatu. Tricky to spell. Fun to say. Thrilling to hear. It’s not hype to say that the band is one of the freshest sounds to hit Portland in years. An Italian convergence of rhythm, impressive musicianship and wide-ranging vocal mastery. In live performance, the band inspires dancers to swirl relentlessly, to shout and clap and bellow with the joy of life. It’s the warm glowing antidote to every stocking-capped moody hipster in town.

Describing the band leads one to think very much of the Frank Zappa quote - it’s like dancing about architecture. In the first strains you’re struck immediately by the characteristically Italian sound, like a whiff of oregano. That part’s undeniable, but then there’s more. A swirling violin, driving rock drums, a mélange of banjo, uke and lapsteel… and the ENERGY… 220-volts of alternating current. Songs that build in crescendo and then break like ocean waves, trailing a shining smooth track as they wash gently back with a delicate resolution, and then another wave advances to wash you away.

Websites:
Stagedive Page: Mbrascatu
Website: http://andrea-algieri.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mbrascatu