So what exactly is Balkan gypsy music and what artists inspired this sextet? A strain of the anarchic and free-spirited music of the gypsy’s, it’s signified not by a specific sound but an attitude. Serving as my guide into unchartered territory, McKenzie informs me that the members of the band were influenced by gypsy music of many varieties, from punk hellraisers Gogol Bordello to Balkan brass bands like Fanfare Ciocarlia and classical composers like Bela Bartok. Playing folk chemistry for this ultra-talented rag-tag gang. “The music scene is a small place so the formula has been to just to seek out the people you hate the most and squeeze them into a van for 10 hours a day.” It definitely sounds like an interesting formula for producing art. Proudly unique, McKenzie and the Woohoo crew know they won’t be getting play on Nova or winning a TV talent contest any time soon. “We draw inspiration from various genres so hopefully there’s a little bit of something in there that appeals to everyone.”
The name the Woohoo Revue in itself creates an enigmatic aura. “I’m not sure what you’re suggesting there,” he jokes about my fondness of the word ‘sextet’. “We had no idea that Woohoo was a term used in bible camps for armpit sex.” Charming mental pictures aside, listening back to cuts like their rendition of the standard Nejatov Cocek you can Hear the sexuality dripping off each pluck of the guitar strings. Along with sexual deviants the band also attracts its share of raving maniacs. “We don’t have as much fun when they’re absent, but we have found that we do have a very broad appeal which is great,” the infectiously energetic McKenzie jokes. “It’s not uncommon for us to look out from a festival stage and see a toddler dancing with his/her grandparent in front of a metalhead giving the rock devil horns next to a guy waving glow-sticks, dressed as a bumble bee, doing the Melbourne shuffle.” The Woohoo Revue clearly brings people together, after all music is all about diversity. Breaking down barriers is also important and Dannie is proud to have popped his share of musical cherries. “It is exciting for us to see somebody getting off on our music for the first time, with a look that says ‘Is this really happening? I’m about to lose my shit, is that OK?’ Essentially, it’s music about joy and celebration so people tend to like that.” And like it they do. The Age vividly described witnessing one of the band’s live shows, calling it “pandemonium in a pin-striped suit.”
Despite a typically rainy day dampening their set last year, The Woohoo Revue is looking to bring more pandemonium as they return to the stage at the Shine On music and arts festival next month. “This year we’re expecting a tribe of ecstatic party-goers to be dancing their hearts out on a balmy Friday evening under a star-studded sky.” The stars won’t just be in the sky but on the stage as well as The Woohoo’s share the bill with Wax Tailor, Opiuo and more. After a packed festival season last summer, McKenzie and co. are itching to get back on the road. “Last season we performed at festivals in every state with major ones including WOMADelaide and Woodford Folk Festival.”
