Bourgeois Gypsies
Band Story
The Bourgeois Gypsies
Featuring freewheeling musical wanderings through countrified blues, slinky swamp ballads, and homespun hillbilly heartbreaks, The Bourgeois Gypsies mix slow-burning, porch-setting music with poignant punk lullabies that make you tap your feet, clutch your heart, and shake your head all at the same time. With relentless gigging in juke joints, festivals, and smoky roadhouses across the country, the Gypsies are quietly building their following the old-fashioned way—one night at a time.
The Bourgeois Gypsies formed when high desert troubadour Arnold Mitchem collided with Kaisa MacDonald, the inn-keeping, fire-spinning spawn of a gypsy, in the café of a clothing-optional hot springs resort. Thrown together for an impromptu open mic session, the two musicians quickly realized that their styles clicked and their abilities complemented each other. Two CDs, countless gigs, and a few additional band members later, the Gypsies are gearing up for prime time with their latest release.
Their second original CD, Faulty Fairytales, resonates with songs of knightless dragons and princesses without towers. It captures a shambling syncopation flirting with dissonance that clings to your soul, peeks through windows of a bygone era, and leaves you with just one word: “More.”
Band Members
Kaisa MacDonald – Gypsy Spawn
Classically trained on piano and flute by her musically gifted, world-wandering father, Kaisa MacDonald has evolved into a self-taught, finger-picking musical wonder. Her unpretentious voice and unique folk-punk guitar style regularly defy musical conventions.
Arnold Mitchem – High Desert Troubadour
A master of the bass, electric, acoustic, and slide guitar, Arnold has played with some of the industry’s most accomplished artists, including Jeff Buckley, Danny Carey of Tool, Chris Whitley, and Seals & Croft. As a solo artist, he self-released two acclaimed instrumental guitar CDs, Desert Dreams and Mojave Moon.
Kieth Rutherford – Descendant of a Mexican Mariachi Player
Into everything extreme—snowboarding, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing—Kieth is also extremely talented, super friendly, and a riot on stage. He adds spice to live performances with his boundary-pushing skills on acoustic and electric guitar.
Taylor Williams – Really Tall Free Spirit
The first thing most people notice about Taylor is his height—at 6'8", he’s quite possibly the tallest bass player in the world. But once he hits the stage, it's his skill on the mandolin, harmonica, and bass guitar that commands attention. Fun fact: Taylor has 200 first cousins.
Peter Miller – Accomplished Spatula Collector
A veteran of many bands, Peter started his musical journey as a rhythm guitarist in a surf band before discovering his passion for percussion. Since responding to a Craigslist ad in 2007, he’s been the Gypsies’ rhythmic backbone. Outside of music, Peter is a proud collector of spatulas and may own the world’s largest private collection.
Featuring freewheeling musical wanderings through countrified blues, slinky swamp ballads, and homespun hillbilly heartbreaks, The Bourgeois Gypsies mix slow-burning, porch-setting music with poignant punk lullabies that make you tap your feet, clutch your heart, and shake your head all at the same time. With relentless gigging in juke joints, festivals, and smoky roadhouses across the country, the Gypsies are quietly building their following the old-fashioned way—one night at a time.
The Bourgeois Gypsies formed when high desert troubadour Arnold Mitchem collided with Kaisa MacDonald, the inn-keeping, fire-spinning spawn of a gypsy, in the café of a clothing-optional hot springs resort. Thrown together for an impromptu open mic session, the two musicians quickly realized that their styles clicked and their abilities complemented each other. Two CDs, countless gigs, and a few additional band members later, the Gypsies are gearing up for prime time with their latest release.
Their second original CD, Faulty Fairytales, resonates with songs of knightless dragons and princesses without towers. It captures a shambling syncopation flirting with dissonance that clings to your soul, peeks through windows of a bygone era, and leaves you with just one word: “More.”
Band Members
Kaisa MacDonald – Gypsy Spawn
Classically trained on piano and flute by her musically gifted, world-wandering father, Kaisa MacDonald has evolved into a self-taught, finger-picking musical wonder. Her unpretentious voice and unique folk-punk guitar style regularly defy musical conventions.
Arnold Mitchem – High Desert Troubadour
A master of the bass, electric, acoustic, and slide guitar, Arnold has played with some of the industry’s most accomplished artists, including Jeff Buckley, Danny Carey of Tool, Chris Whitley, and Seals & Croft. As a solo artist, he self-released two acclaimed instrumental guitar CDs, Desert Dreams and Mojave Moon.
Kieth Rutherford – Descendant of a Mexican Mariachi Player
Into everything extreme—snowboarding, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing—Kieth is also extremely talented, super friendly, and a riot on stage. He adds spice to live performances with his boundary-pushing skills on acoustic and electric guitar.
Taylor Williams – Really Tall Free Spirit
The first thing most people notice about Taylor is his height—at 6'8", he’s quite possibly the tallest bass player in the world. But once he hits the stage, it's his skill on the mandolin, harmonica, and bass guitar that commands attention. Fun fact: Taylor has 200 first cousins.
Peter Miller – Accomplished Spatula Collector
A veteran of many bands, Peter started his musical journey as a rhythm guitarist in a surf band before discovering his passion for percussion. Since responding to a Craigslist ad in 2007, he’s been the Gypsies’ rhythmic backbone. Outside of music, Peter is a proud collector of spatulas and may own the world’s largest private collection.
Band Members
Kaisa MacDonald, Arnold Mitchem, Kieth Rutherford, Taylor Williams, and Peter Miller
Kaisa MacDonald, Arnold Mitchem, Kieth Rutherford, Taylor Williams, and Peter Miller
Location: AMERICA NORTH: USA: California (CA)
Genre: Alternative Rock