There used to be a TV channel called MTV which played all sorts of music back to back, from pop to underground. Like a mad kaleidoscope of pop culture, MTV opened a window into a parallel universe if you were stuck in a less colourful world like, say, the post-communist Mediterranean wilderness of Albania, South Eastern Europe.
Albanian born and raised, Armand Margjeka got his English and his musical education from MTV Europe in the post-communist 90’s. MTV no longer plays much music, but thankfully Armand still does.
Like an average hour of 90’s MTV Europe, Armand’s music swings between the laid back crooning of Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, the eerie murder ballads of Nick Cave and the Country stride of Garth Brooks. Blessed with a smooth voice and an understated guitar picking style, Margjeka does European style Pop and American roots music equally well. After a stint with Alabama alternative country band Buffalo Black he now expands to a full 90’s influences mix on his solo debut ‘Margo Margo’ - Laid back, magnificent widescreen pop with a rootsy Americana feel.
How does a bloke from Albania end up in Birmingham, Alabama? Margjeka studied in the US, stayed on as a ranch hand on Long Island and eventually journeyed south. ‘I helped a friend move to Birmingham and thought I’d stay for a week or two,’ says Armand. ‘But I got a job, fell in love and started writing and recording new music.”
I’ve never been south of New York, but Birmingham apparently has a lively open mic scene which helped Armand hone his talent and keep the flame burning. Bedroom recordings and studio sessions combine easily on ‘Margo Margo’, which has just enough studio polish to give it a glossy pop sound and an aura of lo fi home recording to preserve a lazy down home vibe. It can’t have been easy to pull off such a smooth solo album working out of leftfield, but Margjeka did a sterling job and the whole affair is extremely listenable.
My favourites are the supremely catchy ‘Desire’ and the upbeat ‘What A Feeling’ - Like Lloyd Cole with a fresh injection of naughties Americana. There’s a strong 80’s and 90’s vibe popping up all over ‘Margo Margo’ which helps the album stand out from the Alt Country/Americana bracket.’I love folk and country, but I want to do music without any preconceived parameters,’ explains Margjeka.
Watch Armand Margjeka Play ‘Desire’
Armand Margjeka Music Video from Alan Mykitta on Vimeo.
Now listen to ‘What A Feeling’. If you’re old enough to remember, you might even have a 90’s MTV flashback. ‘Margo Margo’ is due to be released on 9th August.
Armand Margjeka ‘What A Feeling’
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