Super Rats played CresFest 2024
Super Rats play fun and fascinating traditional tunes from the backstreets of Bucharest. At the heart of the band is a strange and wonderful instrument: the cimbalom. Imagine honkytonk piano meets xylophone on the shores of the Black Sea. With the addition of pumping accordion, soaring violin, and propulsive double bass, this award-winning group creates a mesmerising and authentic feast for the ears. Expect some crazy fast tunes that urge you to dance, plus songs on a whole range of topics, from unbounded love and fiery desire to the escapades of a Bucharest gangster, secret tips for horse-stealing and the enigmatic recipe for eternal life! The band was formed by Tim Meyen to explore Romanian traditional music featuring the cimbalom, a many-stringed dulcimer that he has been obsessed with for 30 years. Tim taught himself to speak Romanian and travelled there seven times to study with masters of the instrument. Super Rats has performed at many major festivals and events including WOMADelaide, the National Folk Festival, Illawarra Folk Festival, Sydney Folk Festival, Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival.