Alif, a band of five musicians at the forefront of the Arab underground music scene, is launching its debut album Aynama-Rtama (Wherever It Falls) on the 4 September 2015. Conceived in 2012 and taking its name from the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, Alif features Khyam Allami (Oud), Tamer Abu Ghazaleh (Vocals/Buzuq), Bashar Farran (Bass), Maurice Louca (Keys/Electronics), and Khaled Yassine (Drums/Percussion).
Recorded in Beirut and Cairo in 2014, the album reflects a long process of experimentation that underwent different stages over the past three years. It uses contemporary Arab poetry by late Iraqi poet Sargon Boulus (1944–2007) and renowned late Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish (1941–2008), as well as colloquial Arabic lyrics written by the band`s own Abu Ghazaleh. As the band members explain in this interview, they refuse to limit their music to a specific genre or their lyrics to one dialect or style.
Watch the band members speak to Egyptian musician Maryam Saleh about the development of their music project. You`ll also get to see them rehearse different tracks from their album at Vibe Studio in Cairo. Alif`s Facebook page: www.alif.xyz
The interview is in Arabic with English subtitles.
[This video was produced by Medrar TV and is featured in partnership with Jadaliyya Culture]