For whatever reason (okay, for lots of reasons), the word “gypsy” seems to carry a considerable load of negative connotations. But whatever happened to the romanticized ideal once promised by the gypsy lifestyle? The freedom and ability to invent and reinvent oneself through every passing town and with every fleeting acquaintance? The implicit superiority that comes from stealing away little fragments of each experience in stretching a broader self-portrait in the process?

In turning to such an obvious example as music, I would argue such sentiments still exist….in benevolent musical gypsies if you will. No, I’m not talking about Eugene Hutz or god forbid Jewel and her thoroughly exhausted tale of living and playing music in a van in Alaska, but instead a more thoughtful and gracious example.

Ivana XL is a Brooklyn-based (at least for now) singer-songwriter who weaves tales and melodies from her own, dare we say gypsy, lifestyle. You see, Brooklyn is her home base now, but according to her bio she apparently grew up on the road with her mother, ingesting classical, rock, blues and country all in equal measures while teaching herself to strum a guitar and find her voice. The results speak for themselves, a collection of assured and lilting standards that ruminate on love, modern life, and the sum of her experiences thus far in an incisive and engaging way. Listen for yourself below or visit her MySpace page for further proof. Better yet, check her out this Monday at the next Rooftop Films show. You’ll be glad she touched down here in Brooklyn.

Listen:
“Room With A View”
“The King”

See Ivana XL Live:
10 Nov - New York, NY @ The Rooftop Films IFC Show at Chelsea Market
29 Dec - New York, NY @ Cake Shop

Visit Ivana XL on MySpace.