Gypsy Celtic Cabaret w/ tribal and punk elements and an undercurrent of the mystickal. "A dynamic amalgamation of on-stage chemistry, energy and musicality," New York duo, The Gypsy Nomads, also affectionately known as Frenchy and the Punk, channel the spirit of the gypsy sound, lacing it with a cabaret, celtic and neo-medieval flavor rooted in punk, folk and the vineyards of southern France. From raucous, danceable old-world melodies with cheeky stories sung in english and french, to pounding, tribal-march-style drum instrumentals, this creative duo's quirky and captivating show brings the songs from their three full-length albums to life in a percussive, provocative and theatrical way. The duo features French-born Brit. Samantha Stephenson, whose vocals have been likened to a cross between Siouxsie Sioux and Edith Piaf and veteran of the punk scene Scott Helland on guitar. Helland's innovative live looping technique coupled with Stephenson's animated percussion produces a sound that makes it hard to believe there are only two people on stage. "The songs are catchy and the music is addictive, perfect therapy for a world gone mad." The Gypsy Nomads have been touring incessantly since 2005 bringing their pulse-poundin' tribute to the free spirit lifestyle to festivals that feature the fantastical and mystickal with stilt walkers, jugglers and fire throwers, as well as steampunk/sci-fi/cabaret conventions all over North America. Their 4th full- length CD hits in 2010.

French born Brit. Samantha Stephenson, Gypsy Nomads singer and percussionist, studied art at The National Academy of Design and Art Students League in New York City. She began her dance training at the Royal School of Dance in England and performed in dance troupes in Boston and New York and studied and played piano throughout her teens. She also is the creator of Pupella's Reign, purveyor of magickal wares and the free spirited gypsy Pupella character, who is currently in book mode. Scott has recorded and appeared on over 25 records and CDs. In the eighties and ninties, he played bass guitar with the bombastic, and now legendary Western MA hardcore punk bands Deep Wound, (which included Dinosaur Jr's J Mascis and Lou Barlow) and Outpatients with whom he toured in the US, Canada and South America. The bands released critically acclaimed underground recordings that still sell today to punk record collectors and aficionados of the hardcore music scene here in the U.S, Asia and Europe. Both bands have been chronicled in the recent books American Hardcore; A Tribal History, Choosing Death; The Improbable History of Death Metal and Grind Core and F***ed Up and Photocopied; Art of the Punk Movement. Deep Wound is also listed in the Encyclopedia of Punk. The show flyer collages Scott put together in the `80s and `90s have evolved into intricate pen and ink drawings that blanket the covers of his CDs and merch. His artwork is exhibited in galleries and is collected around the world. Their music has been licensed for Indie films and TV including the Oprah Winfrey show and WE TV's Gothic Wedding show. They have been featured performers at events around the country such as FaerieCon, NYC's lower east side burlesque club The Slipper Room, the cabaret stage at Philadelphia's Trocadero Theater, NY's Brushwood Center, St Louis' Focal Point Theater... The Gypsy Nomads have shared the stage with Voltaire, Dinosaur Jr, Faun, Dragon Ritual Drummers, Albannah, Coyote Run, Ego Likeness, Wendy Rule, Brian Viglione and the White Elephant Burlesque, Lunar Fire as well as amazing belly dance troupes across the U.S.

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"Primitive drums, excitement, blood roiling passion, sorcery, artistry, sonic grace, unstoppable Gypsy power." Jeff Mach, Event Promoter, Wicked Faire U.S. "Celtic/Gallic/medieval-inspired tunes graced by the Siouxsie-esque French-language vocals of percussionist Samantha Stephenson." Roll Magazine, Peter Aaron "Helland's signature guitar work is still here, but now fully accompanied by Samantha Stephenson's dry, sensual voice, put to its best advantage in this mostly-French album. At times breathy and lush, and at other times airy and smooth, her vocals are both playful and intense....I don't jest when I write that there is an addictive quality to some of these tunes, and that I have listened to this album again and again.." Faerie Magazine (review of Eternal Summer) "Few bands have grabbed my attention like the Gypsy Nomads..." New Witch Magazine "...Helland captures a mood that evokes a bonfire on a dark night, undulating and pulsating with life..." Faerie Magazine (review of Catapult CD) "The duo consists of both the multi talented Scott Helland .... and the very beautiful and talented Samantha Stephenson.....a very enchanting show. Their music is great and the overall show is totally fun to attend and see. I had a great time watching..." InTune Magazine "The Ottmar Liebert of gypsy music, Scott Helland is a commanding acoustic guitarist, creating stimulating, passionate instrumentals that may cause little flowers to bloom in your heart." Chronogram Magazine (review of Catapult CD) "Scott creates a warm brew of magic in which any audiophile will want to submerge...he manages to breath delicate power into his 'neoclassical' style..." If Journal Paper