I thought I’d share a Youtube song with an animated film, which made me feel really happy when I saw it. Happy weekend time.

It is Gogol Bordello’s Pala Tute.

Directed by  Aliaksei Tserakhau, the video is a mixed media collage which blends stop-motion animation and live action, with a lot of green screen work.

The story line is four minutes of mischief, featuring a tale of star-crossed lovers shown by Tarot cards. The action incorporates a tongue-in-cheek twist on traditional favourites such as Adam and Eve, King Kong and Dracula.

The visuals are stunning, featuring caravans which pass through time and space in fantasy, with claymation animated models of the three band members Eugene Hütz, Elizabeth Sun and Sergey Ryabtsev. The animated action is interspersed with Eugene’s performance, which is equally enthralling and animated.

The video, originally released in 2010, promotes the song Pala Tute from the excellent album Trans Continental Hustle. The chorus,

Lela lela lela, lela pala tute
Jas kana meres, mirala pala late

translates as

get her get her get her get her for yourself
and then, when you die, you’ll die for her

It is a lively song, great to dance to and, as I  have seen this band more times than fingers and thumbs I was born with, I can recommend any gig they play.

They tour all the time and are spectacular live. They have 2 days in London this summer, on 26/27 July, and are always memorable for their high energy and musical mayhem.

Don’t make the mistake I once did, last time I saw them in London, of buying a ticket for a seat. You won’t be able to sit in it for long. Every other time I have seen them has been on two feet. This band are best appreciated from the front of the auditorium, dancing in the crowd.

Mishto!