These days, it’s pretty easy to get bored of the same old indie rock scene. That’s why I’m grateful for bands like Ansambl Mastika.

Put together by Greg Squared (Zagnut Orkestar, Hungry Marching Band), Ansambl Mastika is best listened to while watching belly dancers and smoking a hooka. Luckily, such a place exists, Maia Meyhane in the East Village. I won’t pretend to know anything about Balkan music; so I don’t really feel qualified to critique the CD. But I can tell you that the show was great. There was no pretention, anyone, even a complete outsider to the scene like me, could walk in and enjoy.