One of the most pleasing aspects of the new appraisal of folk music that we have been in the clutches of in recent years, is the fact that it is not just folk music of the UK and America that is finding a new audience, but also the indigenous music of other cultures – particularly Eastern Europe. Deservedly in the limelight are the likes of Beirut, Hawk and a Handsaw and Gypsy-punk extroverts Gogol Bordello.

Beneath the surface of those commercially successful bands, there lies plenty more. The Zig Quartet, fronted and guided by the extremely impressive Gundula Gruen, have developed a formidable live reputation in London, and are at the forefront of a renewed appreciation of Balkan music that even goes beyond acts such as Beirut. Gruen, when asked by tourdates, confirmed there is a healthy scene for this music in the capital.

“It is growing. There are quite a few promoters who bring over Gypsy orchestras from the Balkans and they get a really good crowd. Obviously its nothing like pop and commercial music, as the marketing and corporate sponsoring differs a lot.”

The Zig Quartet started as the Zig Duo when Gruen, a German-born, classically trained, virtuoso violinist, teamed up with the Serbian accordionist Zivorad Nikolic four years ago. The chemistry between the two on stage is palpable, Gruen describing meeting Nikolic as “practically the first time I had met a musician who plays with the same passion and energy as me.

“Then I felt like stocking up, so invited the double bass player (Englishman Oliver Baldwin), and eventually the percussionist (another Serbian, Rastko Rasic, who has played with Polly Paulusma) to play with us. Soon we might grow even more.”

Gruen has been performing for 20 years, has performed all over the world, contributed to the Channel 4 series How Music Works and done live sessions with the BBC. She is also the leader of the 35-piece ensemble the London Gypsy Orchestra (who she described as her more active and ‘unique’ group). A performer, teacher and ethnomusicologist, she is the most illustrious Balkan violinist in the UK.

Her journey through the untamed rhythm, startlingly moving melodies and deep complexity of Eastern European music has been a long one. She has spent the last two decades absorbing the different fiddle styles and musical cadences of that region, with a passion that has grown and grown over the years.

“Growing up I listened to opera,” she says. “That’s what my parents liked. I first studied classical violin, but already the Gypsy and Eastern European-influenced music was catching me most. After completing my degree I discovered bit by bit the music of Hungary and Russia, and later went further south east into Romania, former Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.“

Gruen not only plays violin with the Zig Quartet, but sings too, in the ethnic languages of Romany, Russian or Yiddish. Her expertise with these cultures is honed by working with some of the most prestigious names in Gypsy violin (Taraf De Haidouks, Tcha Limberger and Winny Mathias, in case anyone was wondering).

Now based in North London, Gruen is conveying this traditional music to a Western audience with her many projects and consistent gigging. But then again, aren’t there are others, like the aforementioned Beirut et al, doing a similar thing? It seems The Zig Quartet are keeping more faithful to traditional frames of reference than these other youthful practitioners.

“Some of it is good, some of it is bad, like every genre,” says Gruen of the new breed. “But I have to say I’ve heard some amazing stuff, and the good thing is they reach a different clientele, so it spreads the music out further.
“I personally stick to the traditional feel and acoustic instruments, which doesn’t at all mean that arrangements are not inventive…”

The Zig Quartet sometimes even incorporate a Gypsy dancer into their live show, a show where this unsigned group reach dizzy heights of energy and charm. As Gruen says herself: “I always put together mixed sets with all shades of emotion and from various countries. Depending on the event it can be more upbeat or more mellow, but always moving.”

www.tourdates.co.uk/zigquartet

The Zig Quartet play The Vortex, Dalston on 26 September 2007.