“The music is a savage, unrestricted mix of tradition, overlaid with rocking dynamism, suffused with unstoppable gypsy lust and dark desire, with an added touch of punk attitude. The soul of a wandering troubadour meets with a ‘take it or leave it’ approach built on the free-living nomadic essence that sets up home where the wheels stop turning. There are no boundaries and fewer restrictions, recognised or accepted. The intense feeling of musical freedom is so strong you could reach out and touch it. This album is as close to musical theatre as much as it is a sound recording, and it’s highly addictive. One listen tugs you into Juana Ghani's world of Eastern European inspired multi-influenced music and lyrics with a pull so strong you’re instantly living it.” -- Tim Carroll, Folk Words (Jul 23, 2014)
“Juana Ghani create a fiery sound that’s seductive and serpentine, with a creeping darkness that would befit a broken-down carnival.” -- Kolbie Stonehocker, City Weekly (Jun 12, 2014)
“Juana Ghani seem to have a penchant for bringing to life a seedy, seductive back alley in Italy or Russia through their simultaneously languid and staccato music.” -- LeAundra Jeffs, SLUG Magazine (Sep 03, 2014)
“Juana Ghiani was an experience that went far beyond the bandstand. They have a familial tribal vibe going on that makes a fun atmosphere long before the music starts to play. Once they get started, the music kicks into dance-time, with clean controlled rhythms and expressive singing. I’ve experienced these same Euro-Folk vibes in France, England, and Holland ... the inclusiveness and simple fun are impossible to beat” -- Michael's Blog:Beat the Devil (Mar 30, 2014)
"A little bit ragamuffin, gypsy, punk, and always a party, they seem to have an energy that doesn't quit. And it's not like any concert you've ever been to before." -- Kita Zira, Nomad Nouvelle
"Blood has a bad rep, but it’s honestly a good thing; there’s blood all over Shall We Live Forever? Blood and darkness. The hot blood of life and passion; the welcoming dark of all-night celebration and vodka-induced blindness… I’m pretty certain the answer to the question posed in the title is ‘no, so what are we waiting for?’ This is communal gypsy folk, with equal parts groove and lyricism (and great playing), a life-affirming panegyric to the sacred pain and hedonism of life." -- Oliver Arditi, Independent music reviewer
“Leisl Bonell’s voice is sweet and sinister” -- LeAundra Jeffs, SLUG Magazine (Sep 03, 2014
"This group has a unique talent for the music with a unique gypsy style" -- Gonzalo Azramendi, Arzuk Productions and Entertainment (Mar 25, 2013)
"Their album, “Shall We Live Forever”, is certainly no misnomer. I have no doubt that it will haunt, energize, and otherwise caress my soul for the rest of my days. From the first note of the first song my spirit was lifted and transported to another time and place somewhere in a mystical universe I thought only existed in Overactive Imaginationland. It was like riding a Log Flume with Beetleguise and a band of Pirate Gypsies as we passed through a Stargate into the Caribbean Sea and landed at Cirque du Freak. Led by raunchy accordion licks, vocals like sweet Revani served on sandpaper, and percussion that altered the course of my heartbeat, I could only think of how I yearn to be a part of it. I could feel the air around me thicken as I was whisked into a waking dream that I never wanted to end. " -- Carlos Castillo, Schwilly Family Roadtrip
"Shall We Live Forever, is a masterpiece of gypsy-influenced music" -- Gavin Sheehan, City Weekly
"Its as if you’ve been transported to a entirely different space. Surrounded by hundreds of friends and family. Singing, dancing, whooping and hollering together. Almost as if you’re all off in a distant space around a bon fire, collectively. There is a strong sense of family and unity that can be found in the air. Which when breathed in gives all in attendance a sense of belonging. " -- Ferret Rellim, thedrumoldsaw
"Wonderful, wonderful artistry!" -- B Noel Barr, Lunch at the Barr (HotMix106.com)
"There is something of a contradiction between the artful poetry of the lyrics and the communal unity of the sound, but it is a contradiction that speaks a positive message to the listener. We modern, separated individuals, it says to us, can find that longed for sensation of belonging in the community of this music itself. At the same time there is a fundamental set of creative agreements that unify the verbal and aural significations of Budmo!: a sense of the wholeness of life that mourns and grieves in the same breath with which it draws the energy to dance. This is soulful, open, inviting, generous music, both spiritual and sensual, full of love, death, sex, grief, passion and vodka. Juana Ghani offer a glimpse of the community we could inhabit; and for a brief interval, they bring the opportunity to visit." -- Oliver Arditi, independent music reviewer
"Leading to conclude the night, gypsy band Juana Ghani transformed the audience from sitting down and watching to full participation through dancing and celebration. Equipped with belly dancers and an orchestra of instruments, the 13 performers brought a magical liveliness to their production by bringing carnival vibes to the festival. Filled with imagination and a creative outlook on their performance was a fantastic addition to the fest, and certainly added a jovial intoxication to the souls of all who were there." -- Brinley Froelich, SLUG Magazine (Jul 19, 2012)
"Big Fun in a city short on that commodity." -- Glen Warchol, Salt Lake Tribune
"Juana Ghani’s performances are celebrations — celebrations of the people they are, the cultures they love and the coming together of worldly people through worldly music." -- Beth Clifford, City Weekly
"The band plays Central and Eastern European-sounding gypsy music with persistent and catchy beats. Listening to the band for the first time is an experience few are likely to forget." -- Q Salt Lake
"...semi- nightmarish fantasies of violence, revenge, desire and struggle." -- Savannah Turk, City Weekly
“Central and Eastern European sounding gypsy music, that bounces along on a persistent, driving brass bass, with a bewildering cast of multifarious characters providing a dazzling array of instrumentation, voices and dance moves. The difficulty at a Juana Ghani gig will be to remember to come home again afterwards. Intoxicating and seductive music of the first order.” -- Oliver Arditi, LiveUnsigned
"Wonderful gypsy folk!" "I like to think of Juana Ghani as almost like a circus. You know, they're touring around the country with their tigers and their clowns and people who can hula hoop really well." -- Frankie Ward, Amazing Folk Roots Show
"Very lively and wonderful, clapping and dancing cannot be avoided upon listening" -- Red Wound
"Taking our listeners into a dimension far from anything heard earlier in the mix, Juana Ghani’s “Amari Szi Amari” speaks a musical language known by many and spoken by few. There are elements of Eastern, Western and other worldly cultures included here, with a strong commitment to times of old … a very interesting find to bring our listeners!" -- Brian Ball, "The Plug" on Women's Radio
"... a veritable breath of fresh air!!" -- Wily Bo Walker, Rattlin' Bone
"a musical experience like nothing else" --Brian Ball, Women's Radio
"... forthright ..." "This is quite special!" -- Nick Tann, Is This Thing On? podcast
"exotic" -- Frankie Ward, Amazing Folk Roots Show
"Wow! Your music just tickled my ears like a fresh breeze" -- Susan Simmons
"I Really think you captured some magic in Quiet & Cold. So good!!!" -- Jesper Eriksson, The Auto Dropouts
" True free spirit! Exccelent!" -- Siempre
"They put on a hell of a show!" "...such an amazing show!" -- Johnny Cat Farmer, Utah Musicians radio
"Really fantastic percussion in your work. You've achieved a really original sound." -- The Screaming House Madrigals
"Best of the Beehive 2012" -- Salt Lake Magazine
