Akram Abdulfattah – Monologue

By starrymag | October 6, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Cross-Cultural, folk fusion, unconventional

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) Mohammed Abdel wahab (Egypt) L. Shankar (India), Simon Shaheen (Palestine), Kamil Shajrawi (Palestine), Abdo Dagher (Egypt).

Q) How does your Middle Eastern background play a role in the music you make?

A) Middle Eastern music is very rich. I believe it’s a true treasure. I’m so glad that I had the chance to live the Arabic Palestinian music and culture at a very young age when I moved to live in Palestine when I was seven years old. I had the chance to learn the art of improvisation and Maqam Theory and later on everything expanded from that. Melody and Improvisation is very unique in Arabic music I think this is a big part of my music and also my identity.

Q) Talk about the story behind your song “Rivers from the East.”

A) Rivers From the East” is part of my first Indo-Arab music project that I started in 2018 with my dearest musicians friends from India: Mandola Joy from Kolkata playing the “Shree tar” an improvised Mandola conceptualized by him) and Rupak Dhamankar from Mumbai on Tablah and Indian percussion.

It is part of my musical journey to India and my general folk-fusion music approach. I wrote this song in 2020. It was a very challenging track to record because we wanted to sound live. Still, we couldn’t meet so we recorded it online, though it sounded so live and authentic in my opinion.

The story behind it was related to the “Silk-Road” and the exchange between civilizations. The East was always like “rivers” that offered a-lot of culture, science and religions to the world through history and helped shape the world as we know it today.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think that this is a mystery. Still there is a lot of ways and techniques that you can use and learn to make a “successful track.” Also, understanding your audiences could make a difference.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) The video, in my opinion, is an attempt to describe or tell the story behind the music; however, I don’t believe that any video can really give the whole meaning and message behind a track specially if its Instrumental.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can weave the violin to it?

A) My writing process usually starts with a very short pattern or rhythm cycle. Sometimes it can start with a melody or harmony that I recorded on my iPhone. My first instrument to go to is usually the Oud then the Piano. Violin usually comes last as part of the arrangement and instrumenting process.

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I usually produce all my songs, album and videos.

Q) What are some themes you explore on your album Monologue?

A) Monologue album is a mix of many music styles and flavours that are influenced from different cultures around the world. It reflects my personal journey in music and life and brings up different themes from different music genres and weave them together. For example, the Arab-reggae mix in “Mouj el Bahar” song featuring Samah Mustafa (vocals).

Q) What songs hold a special place in your heart from it?

A) I’m very connected to every track in the album since each song has its story and memories. I would say “The Seven Arrows” is the one. It means a lot to me. This song is dedicated to my grandfather Mohammed Abdulfattah who was, unfortunately, killed in the Nakbah year 1948 by the Israeli army along side six other men and women from my home village Kawkab.

Q) What tracks challenged you the most to create?

A) I think “Kawkab Abad” is a track that took time to make since it’s very rooted in both Indian and Arabic music. I remember spending a late night on this song during our rehearsal and I’m so happy for the results.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from exploring your new album?

A) Hopefully unity and peace. In this album musicians from different continents meet together to make music in Palestine with much love, despite any kind of separation we could make this art and that is one of the important massages i wanted to.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) To be honest, I love playing on any stage. I try to enjoy all my shows as much as I can, and I can’t wait to play in more cities and stages around the world!

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I would love to collaborate with Dhafer Yousef. I think he is one of the best i find his music very close to my heart.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) I’m currently listening and exploring Japanese folk music, since I’m working on a future quartet project with amazing musicians from far east and Europe. Can’t wait to share more about it!

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I think it’s very important to be able to connect to everyone who loves your music and I think social media is a big part of people’s daily life and it’s also the only place for some people to connect and be closer to the artist behind the music.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) You are a very important part of my life. This couldn’t happen without your support and love.