JUMPLE

They say that Russians never smile for fear that their mustaches will fall off. As a Russian-speaking western Ukrainian, I can attest that this is absolutely true. What most people don't know is that there is a hidden clause in the "No Smiling" subheading of the Blood Oath to Zombie Lenin contract, a contract that all Russian speakers sign at age seven in exchange for the powers of manly facial hair, complete imperviousness to any form of overdose and the finite capacity for a precisely Slavic amount of [redacted]. This hidden clause states that this rule does not apply while somebody is drunk, wearing a funky hat, or is in a state of Jigy-Jigy.

In all seriousness, Jumple is Toronto's very own and very underappreciated Gogol Bordello. This comparison of "Slavic Gypsy Folk" falls on both sides of a razor-thin blade. Gogol Bordello marketed themselves as an immigrant interpretation of punk, a genre which has been a Western reference point since London Calling. To contrast this, the beauty of Jumple is they make no compromise in regards to their influence, showmanship, goals as musicians, or even the sheer size of their testicular fortitude.

If you were at Jumple's show on June 24th at the Rasputin Vodka Bar, you would have seen all the members of the band tearing it up on stage: Eugene (singer/acoustic), Ruslan (violin), Kirill (accordion), Matski (drums), and new bandmate Mike (bass). You'd also had seen a hundred people swing dancing, with about ten ladies having taken residence on top of bar tables to start their careers as PG-14 burlesque dancers.

This is the magical energy of Jumple. The traditional Russian influences find new life within their songs, and restore dignity to the modern definition of dancing socially—for fun, not as an excuse to dry-hump a stranger in a club or boot someone in a mosh pit.

What many will not understand is that you cannot take a group of music majors and toss them a Red Army Choir vinyl, as you may result in the bag of goober-sounding Soviet Pop/Discoteka music my parents still embarrass me with. The real source of Jumple's energy is how Eugene effortlessly projects his grandiose vocal styles through his thick accent that represent a great number of cultural feelings and hardships. It's how Kirill plays the accordion like he's paid millions, but he most likely has a history playing like that in public for the sake of art and expected little in financial compensation. It's how Ruslan shreds the violin like a sociopath, but then stops to hold a single feeling conveyed in an uncomfortably prolonged note. You will get a feeling yourself, like a single tear has formed at edge of your eye and is slowly sliding down the side of your cheek.

And then you actually tune into the lyrics, and realize the song they are playing is "So Good" and all the goddamn lyrics are about eating delicious chicken wings.

This flip of the finger to serious subject matter is excellent for Canadian fans. While not all of Jumple's songs are in English (because "Kalinka Kalinka" is always appropriate), rest assured that screaming along is absolutely encouraged. What some may not understand is that Jumple is a product of a particular time period in a different culture, which was in turn heavily obsessed with American culture. Resultantly, when you see Jumple live, you may be lucky like I was and take in covers of "Enter Sandman" and "You Gotta Keep Them Separated" through a thick Russian accent and accompanied with violin and accordion.

***

After the show ended I conducted a very brief interview, in Russian, with Eugene:
A.S.: Which parts of Ukraine did you guys immigrate from?

Eugene: Me and Matski, the drummer, are from Kyiv. Ruslan on the violin is from Odessa. Kirill on the accordion is from Minsk, and Mike, our new bassist, is from Toronto.

A.S.: Nice! I'm from Donetsk myself. How would you describe your genre of music to an average Canadian?

Eugene: We are Gypsy Folk.

A.S.: Well what would you describe as your influences? I was going to say Gogol Bordello, but then you covered "Start Wearing Purple" and I had my answer.

Eugene: Our influences stem from traditional Ukranian and Russian folk and gypsy music, but also augmented by the sound and attitude of American & British pop & rock, especially in the '80s & '90s. And Gogol Bordello, of course.

A.S.: So, what do you think Canadian fans enjoy most about your music?

Eugene: Honestly, it is energy, dancing and atmosphere. To be fair, we do abuse the "Russian Stereotypes" card a bit too often, but that way we can provide a meaningful avenue for Canadians to show interest. It's a very big culture shock thing initially, but once they get over it, they join in and begin to actually have fun learning and participating in our culture. But that is a very hard thing to achieve. Canadians are so reserved, it is borderline impossible to get them to move.

A.S.: I can see that. North American culture conditions the individual to fear committing a social faux pas and being embarrassed. Okay, I got one last question: what is the most badass ting you, or your band members have ever done?

Eugene: Honestly the most badass thing we have ever done is get Canadians to move.

***

While the repetition may have been for comical effect, there is a grain of salt in it. Most people nowadays are too afraid to make a spectacle of themselves. Unless there is a "cool" reason to swing-dance with a complete stranger, most of the folks sticking around the edge of the goofy dancing area really do like the music. They just need to be eased into it with vodka.

If you were intrigued by the bold and unique nature of Jumple and their enormous balls, check them out live. You owe it to yourself to come get Jigy-Jigyed. On an unrelated note, be sure to jumble's first album Jigy-Jigy on Bandcamp; it’s free to stream and only $5 to purchase. - CANADIAN CONTENT MACHINE

With 780 bands playing at innumerable venues over seven days, it can be tough to decide which North by Northeast gigs to attend. With that in mind, Noah Love and Rebecca Tucker offer you their Top 20 not-to-be-missed NXNE gigs (plus a few bonus picks). NXNE 2012: The biggest party of the week, by the numbers

NXNE lineup: The Flaming Lips, Bad Religion, Raekwon & Ghostface Killah among performers:

Flaming Lips
Yonge & Dundas, Saturday, 9 p.m.
NXNE’s biggest headliner to date; Wayne Coyne rolling toward Yonge Street; the Flaming Lips, for free: what more do you need?

Diiv
Lee’s Palace, Friday, 10 p.m.
Lots of bands play shoegaze rock, but few of them get the melody and production so right.

Odonis Odonis
Sneaky Dee’s, Friday, 11 p.m.
One of my must-sees from 2011. I saw them. I must see them again, and you should, too, at their later Sneaky Dee’s timeslot.

Purity Ring
Wrongbar, Thursday, 1 a.m.
The Montreal duo’s sound lies somewhere between Grimes, Crystal Castles and The Knife. Like Grimes’ Claire Boucher, Megan James’ voice is a knockout.

The Men
The Garrison, Thursday, 1 a.m.
Wrongbar, Friday, 12 a.m.
Open Your Heart might be a bit uneven, but it’s also one of 2012's great party records (if you enjoy rock and brown liquor).

The Reigning Sound
Horseshoe Tavern, Friday, 1 a.m.
A rare opportunity to see former Compulsive Gamblers frontman Greg Cartwright in action.

A Place To Bury Strangers
El Mocambo, Thursday, 1 a.m.
Still haven’t exactly capitalized on the power of their 2007 debut, but the volume at the El Mo should be enough to make you forget that.

Bishop Morocco
Rivoli, Thursday, 10 p.m.
In case their was any question which of the two Tangiers’ frontmen was better, James Sayce settled the debate with Bishop Morocco.

John Maus
Lee’s Palace, Friday, 1 a.m.
Anagram are gone, so Maus fills the angular, raving lunatic void at NXNE 2012.

Killer Mike
Wrongbar, Saturday, 1 a.m.
Fresh off releasing the acclaimed R.A.P. Music, Mike will be hip-hop’s hottest ticket this weekend. He and Action Bronson will bring an ocean of rhymes to Yonge & Dundas on Sunday.

Bonus Pick No. 1: The Black Belles
The Garrison, Thursday, 12 a.m.
Horseshoe Tavern, Friday, 11 p.m.
This year’s Dum Dum Girls, except darker and Jack White-endorsed.

Bonus Pick No. 2: Neon Windbreaker
El Mocambo, Saturday, 1 a.m.
Go for Limblifter, stay for ???

Bleached
Silver Dollar Room, Thursday, 12 a.m.; Friday, 12 a.m.; Saturday, 1 a.m.
If you like your melodies bubble gum pop-y and your groups girly, you will like Bleached, the brainchild of ex-Mika Miko frontwomen Jessica and Jennifer Clavin.

Bran Van 3000
Horseshoe Tavern, Thursday, 1 a.m.
There is no shame in going to see a band because you want to hear “that one song.”

Tanika Charles & The Wonderfuls
The Gladstone, Thursday, 12 a.m.
Charles sings Motown-esque, soulful R&B with some seriously powerful pipes.

Creature
The Painted Lady, Thursday, 1 a.m.
For fans of Blondie (FYI, Blondie is a fan).

Still Life Still
The Rivoli, Thursday, 1 a.m.
Arts & Crafts darlings play the sort of dreamy melodies and sprawling jams you will like, if you like most of the Arts & Crafts roster.

Gregory Pepper & His Problems
Harbourfront Centre, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
I obviously like describing musicians in the context of other musicians, so: Gregory Pepper is what would happen if Stephen Merritt and Sufjan Stevens had a baby.

Hooded Fang
The Horseshoe, Thursday, 10 p.m.; Silver Dollar Room, Friday, 10 p.m.
Because at some point you’re going to want to dance around like Molly Ringwald, with your hair in your eyes.

Brews Willis
Sneaky Dees, Saturday, 3 a.m.
The 3 a.m. slot is a tough one — especially on Saturday, when everyone will be all tripped out from the Flaming Lips show. What better to send you truly reeling into the night early morning than a dose surf-rock? Nothing, I say.

The Weather Station
The Great Hall Lower Theatre, Thursday, 10 p.m.
One part Entire Cities, one part heartbreak, all beautiful acoustic folk.

Jumple
El Mocambo, Sunday, 10 p.m.
There really isn’t much wiggle room when you describe a band as “gypsy punk,” and these guys are practically Gogol Bordello’s kid brother. - National Post

I have to say that it is about time Jumple came to Guelph. The five-piece gypsy-punk band based out of Toronto played at the Jimmy Jazz on Nov. 10, delivering three wild sets of music. Jumple put on one heck of a show that night. With their bright and wacky costumes and high-energy music, you couldn’t help but hit the dance floor. At one point the band even made their way through the crowd, danced on table tops, and attempted to pull people through the window. “We are Jumple and so can you” is the band’s grammatically-awkward motto, and it certainly describes their audience-grabbing performance style to a T. Even if you had never danced in your life, Jumple would show you the way. What was particularly amazing about the band’s performance was that right off the bat, on their first song they did just that – they got people out of their seats and on their feet. The audience felt no need to wait to get a sense of the band. From the start, the songs were fun and great to sing along to, such as their single “Na-Na-Na,” from their latest album, Jigy-Jigy. The band even performed a cover of the popular Metallica song, “Enter Sandman,” albeit in Jumple’s distinct style. Jumple’s unique sound comes from their combination of traditional gypsy sounds with a punk edge. Indeed, a number of the band’s members actually hail from the former USSR. The closest comparison to the band’s sound is probably Gogol Bordello, though in any case Jumple still maintains a strong style of its own. (Really, how often can you say you’ve heard a gypsy-punk band?) The band’s exuberant showmanship is certainly worth experiencing. But if you missed it this time, worry not: Jumple has another Guelph date coming up in mid-January. And this writer will certainly be there. - The Ontarion

Jumple is the kind of band that can take the art of rock music and blend it seamlessly into a world of fun. This past Friday's release party for their new EP Jigy-Jigy was a prime example. Dozens packed the narrow stage area at the back of Rasputin Vodka Lounge and let loose to the diverse, eclectic and wild sounds of the unique brand of gypsy-punk-funk that Jumple loves to deliver. Sweaters and jackets started to pile at the sides of the room quickly after the first song. As anyone who's seen Jumple before will tell you, it is nearly impossible not to move, dance, shuffle, cheer and Jigy-Jigy when the band hits the stage. For all of you Jumple-virgins out there, the easiest way to describe the experience is "You will have fun." The night was a great success, with 3 full sets including covers of traditional gypsy music, Metallica, James Brown and ending with Gogol Bordello's "Start Wearing Purple", everyone walked/stumbled away satisfied. - Seamus Gearin, Provocative Penguin

This aberrant group of Slavs with more energy than a hyperactive eight-year old on a pixie stick bender have created something unique and very special. Something that draws in curious onlookers and brings out the party in even the most jaded and party-worn. Jumple blend their original, self-styled Gypsy-Pop/Rock/Disco tunes that include everything from wild sing alongs to a tremendous version of Metallica's "Enter Sandman" that must be experienced to be fully appreciated. What can't be ignored is Jumple's ability to move the crowd. The crowd rages unabated through the entire set with sweaty bodies bouncing to the relentless oom-pah grooves that are Jumple's signature. This is where the band's catch phrase "We are Jumple and so can you!" begins to make perfect sense. Their undeniably infectious sound allows for no rug to be left uncut. - Nick Kiverago, Provocative Penguin

...They bounced out in trademark colourful tees and tights, floppy hats and sunglasses and launched into their infectious fusion of Gogol Bordello gypsy punk and Weird Al Yankovic humour. Giddiness filled the room like fumes. As colourful as their clothes were, the band members' personalities were virtually rainbow-esque. These insanely grinning Russians know how to breed fun while putting on a show. Lead singer Eugene Lantsman greeted the crowd with his patent introduction, "Ladies and Jumplemen, we are Jumple and so can you!" Jumple's bass-and-accordion–heavy licks riled the dance-pit into a constant jumping-bean frenzy, proving that "Jump"-le is an apt name for the group. Lantsman had the crowd singing in bliss. His pedestrian yet absurd lyrics cover a diversity of themes, including midnight hunger pangs ("So Good"), spontaneous romance ("You & Me"), boredom ("17 Days") and the end of the world ("2012"). During the band's take on traditional Hungarian dance number "Chardash Monty," drummer Matt Falkovich carried fiddler Ruslan Nebesov on his shoulders into the crowd while Nebesov fiddled away. It was a dynamic sequence illustrating Jumple's expertise, through music and performance, in closing the gap between performers and crowd... - Jody McCutcheon, CHARTattack

Jumple are about as much fun as any band can be on stage. A large group of Russians who have moved to Toronto and developed a live show that is equal parts dancey, hilarious, catchy and mesmerizing. - Dan Wolovick, Two Way Monologues

Have you seen Jumple yet? If so I don't need to tell you that they put on one of the zaniest, craziest and most compelling live shows in the city. If you haven't yet then you are seriously missing out. Book your night in at the Jumple party! - Dan Wolovick, Two Way Monologues

Words cannot describe this band and that's really because you are left picking up your jaw that has dropped to the floor. They are high energy, they are crazy, they play like it's the end of the world. Imagine a combination of Eastern European folk/polka/gypsy music with a few drops of punk. They are eccentric, they are colourful and they put on a high energy show. - Gabriel Nijmeh, tumblr.com

For the first night of Canadian Music Week, Toro was at the Underground Garage for a fun culture lesson by the band Jumple. Coming from Eastern Europe, they are infused by energy that rivals some of the most entertaining bands in Toronto. With an accordion, percussion section, violins, guitars and very mobile members these men truly give their full energy for their entire set. - Andrew Colvin, Toro Magazine

For sheer exuberance, showmanship, and just plain fun, this band of crazed musical gypsies are simply impossible to beat. There is a joy at work here that rolls off the band from the stage and inundates the audience... if you stand too close to the stage you will be covered in happy. Try standing still when they play. Try not singing along when they invite you to, and try staying on the dance floor when the audience is invited up onto the stage. I encourage you to go see them. You will not regret it. - Robert Segarini, FYI Music News

At 3:45 p.m. the crowd was treated to a bizarre mix of eastern European melodies, disco rock, and flamboyant costumes, courtesy of the Jumple, a band based in Toronto. All six members of the band have roots in countries of the former USSR, and have used their unique cultures as a tool of musical creativity. The crowd smiled and clapped as the band performed synchronized dance moves, and were particularly impressed when lead singer Evgenii Lanstman placed violinist Ruslan Nebesov on his shoulders and carried him out into the crowd as he played a solo. Violins, tight leather pants, and a giant neon green top hat were all present in what was undoubtedly the most uniquely fun experience of the day that left members of the crowd asking “What does Jumple mean?” - Rob Saavedra, Imprint

It was an action packed night, to say the least. The band was called Jumple and I was very entertained. So here’s the lowdown on them: They are a collection of thick-accented brigands from Russia, the Ukraine and all points around the Carpathians (read: Gypsies), perform very upbeat, somewhat punkish music complete with violin and a very gifted drummer, employ a gypsy dancer, dance and run around the stage like lunatics and wear clothing that looks like they fell into the Tickle Trunk and came out right before their set. These guys rocked so hard that I was worried that any act that followed them would be put to shame. Taking pictures of Jumple was extremely hard because they were so kinetic that most of the pics were blurred beyond recognition. However through diligence and a lot patience, I was able to grab some good ones. The whole night was just a music orgy really... - Scenester Nus, MichaelNus.com