Fishtank Ensemble
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fishtank Ensemble | ||
|---|---|---|
 Fishtank Ensemble performing in Santa Cruz. From left to right: Fabrice Martinez, Doug Smolens, Ursula Knudsen, Tim Smolens, Kevin Kmetz, Adam Stacey and Aaron Seeman
|
||
| Background information | ||
| Origin | Oakland, California; France |
|
| Genre(s) | World | |
| Years active | 2004 – present | |
| Associated acts |
Estradasphere Secret Chiefs 3 God of Shamisen |
|
| Website | Official website | |
| Members | ||
| Fabrice Martinez Ursula Knudsen Aaron Seeman Douglas Smolens Kevin Kmetz |
||
| Former members | ||
| Tim Smolens Glenn Allen Adam Stacey |
||
Fishtank Ensemble (or simply Fishtank) is a Euro-American musical group that formed in Oakland, California in 2004. They perform a variety of traditional musical styles including Romanian, klezmer, flamenco, and Japanese folk and Roma music.
They are one of many bands to be commonly associated with the California-based eclectic indie band Estradasphere.
Contents |
[edit] Band history
Fishtank Ensemble first formed and played together at "The Fishtank" in Oakland, Califoria in January, 2004. First known as Fishtank, the band is named after this venue. At this time, the band's premeire performances were recorded live. These recordings would eventually become the band's debut full-length CD, Super Raoul, which was released in November, 2005. To promote the CD, the group launched a tour of the US west coast from November to December, 2005. They performed a total of 26 shows.
Much of Fishtank Ensemble's influence comes from Fabrice Martinez, a European-born violinist who is well versed in the traditional music of the Romani. Aside from fellow European Ursula Knudsen, the remaining members of the original Fishtank Ensemble line-up are all based in California. They included Kevin Kmetz, a Japanese American shamisen peformer, accordionist Aaron Seeman, flamenco guitarist Doug Smolens, bassist Tim Smolens and drummer Adam Stacey. Kmetz, Stacey and Tim Smolens are all also members of Estradasphere.
[edit] Band members
[edit] Current members
- 2004 to present - Fabrice Martinez; violin and violintromba
- 2004 to present - Ursula Knudsen; saw, vocals and violin
- 2004 to present - Aaron Seeman; accordion
- 2004 to present - Douglas Smolens; flamenco guitar
- 2004 to present - Kevin Kmetz; shamisen
[edit] Past members
- 2004 to 2006 - Tim Smolens; double bass (recording sessions)
- 2004 to 2005 - Glenn Allen; double bass (2005 tour)
- 2004 to 2005 - Adam Stacey; percussion
[edit] Discography
- Fishtank at the Fishtank (2004) (limited release)
- Super Raoul (2005) (first and second edition)
