All posts filed under “Music

Asli Dogan

Dancing in the Street

Ezgi Üstündağ talks to Aslı Doğan and Richard Laniepce of the Turkish group Kolektif Istanbul about their infectious blend of göbek atmak and making it big in the city

Qais Essar

Raag and Roll

Joobin Bekhrad chats with Afghan musician Qais Essar about his latest album, Tavern of Ruin, and how he’s been giving the music of the robab a contemporary kick

Firas Abou Fakher

Here Comes the Night

Paola Messina and Mashrou’ Leila multi-instrumentalist Firas Abou Fakher spend some quiet time together, discussing space, silence, and the band’s latest album

Ottoman Jews

An Ancient Melancholy

Ezgi Üstündağ explores the history of Ladino culture and music in Turkey, with a particular focus on the careers of musicians Sami Levi and the Janet-Jak Esim Ensemble

Vigen

Hye Times

US-based DJ and filmmaker Lara Sarkissian - alternatively known as Foozool - presents a playlist of vintage tracks from her mother’s stash of Armenian and Persian vinyl records

Ali Azimi

Great Expectations

An Iranian rock star in London - Ben Mirza talks to Ali Azimi about the highs and lows of his turbulent career, making it big in the Big Smoke, and whether or not it’s all been ‘worth it’

Ofra Haza

Living on the Edge

Caught between his Dutch identity and a passion for Arab culture, Leo Kroonen found solace and salvation in the music of the Yemenite Jews of Israel