Oriental guitar riffs, European folk fiddle-melodies, fatten distorted bass-lines played by a cello and energetic drum patterns all along lyrics by Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet.

The Entropies happened when an Iranian singer and guitar player met a cellist and drummer from the Czech Republic, and a Slovakian violin player in Brno. Their different ideas and musical backgrounds reached a point of balance somewhere in the middle.

Soheil, the Iranian singer and songwriter, found out that his new flatmates were members of a neoclassical rock/metal band (two cellos, one fiddle, drums and vocal) called Clawed Forehead. He worked with them on a few tracks for a TV show. After some time, the singer of CF left the band, so they asked Soheil to join them.

Eventually, the drummer and the other cello player left as well. So CF technically disbanded. That’s when they found a 20-year old drummer with a jazz background, and that was the birth of The Entropies, out of entropy.

Soheil thinks that it’s not his job to define their style. But generally, he considers their music as progressive rock: “…an unusual combination of oriental melodies and progressive rock together with an unconventional choice of instruments.”

The members of the band are Soheil (guitar and vocals), Gabriela (violin), Michal (cello) and Ester (drums). They play in small venues, pubs and the streets of Brno, and have done a few tours. “Chonan Mastam” (“I’m So Drunk”) is their first single that was published a few weeks ago and the second one, “Mr. Ambassador” is in the process of mixing and mastering.

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The Entropies on Facebook, YouTube.

One of the shortest, but also one of the most intense songs we heard recently, “Ala Hallet ‘Aini” comes off the soundtrack of the French-produced, by Tunisia-based movie “As I Open My Eyes“.

While the song has been written, produced and mixed by Khyam Allami (with lyrics by Ghassan Amami), it was performed by a “fictional band created for the film”, which includes incredible Tunisian singer Baya Medhaffar and Montasser Ayari on oud.

Indeed, this band seems to good to be real, but as dreams sometimes happen to come true, we hope Joujma’s movie theatre origins will eventually lead them to music stages.

Baya Medhaffar on Twitter, Tumblr.

Based in Amman, Jordan, Arabs With Synthesizers are carving a sonic space out for themselves on SoundCloud with several releases including original productions, mixtapes, and remixes.

The electronic production project was started by George Rizeq and Basel Naouri, the latter of who is the keyboardist from electronica collective, Zaed Na’es (Plus or Minus). According to Rizeq, they strictly avoid the presence of digital instruments in the studio, instead opting for analogue synths: Roland Tr-8, Nobation BassStation II, Nord Stage 2, and the Korg Poly 800.

The Korg Poly 800 adds a special 80s texture to their production as it a discontinued machine used frequently in the 80s. On their SoundCloud, the original tracks including “Nabd” and “Lilllyleesh” are produced by George and Basel. Their mixtapes and sets make for enjoyable party music from downtempo to deep house, particularly “Filling The Gaps.”

Arabs With Synthesizers on Soundcloud, Facebook.

Produced by Ori Winokur, Erez Sivan’s ‘s debut album sounds like nothing last year. It’s strong but delicate arrangements leave the singer enough space to show her incredible talent, and especially her freedom to take her voice wherevere she feels like at the moment.

While the record draws inspirations from the golden years of R&B/Soul, it’s a modern record as you’d expect from someone just entering not only the stage, but also adulthood. The title aptly suggest that “Proper Lady” is about transition from a girl to a woman, about leaving behind childhood dreams and memories to take responsibilities of today and tomorrow.

Despite her young age, and even though she does look back every now and then – like on “Mama’s Boy” written by her mother, Miryam Sivan, withouth doubt Erez is already a proper artist.

While you can stream “Proper Lady” in its entirety here, here’s a new video she just published, “Just Another Color”.

Photo credit: Nir Slakman

Erez on Facebook, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, www.

Founded by Jordanian songwriter and singer Muhammad Abdullah about 8 years ago, the trio El-Morabba3 (المربّع) have been constantly breaking boundaries of places and genres to deliver their very own version of Arabic alternative.

While you’ll clearly hear global influences in this Amman-based group’s music, as well as their affinity for modern electronic music, precious details like the sound of tabla or quarter tones occasionally remind you where they come from.

As obviously do the lyrics, in the case of their superb new single asking, “Where are you / Where am I / Where are all those who are different”.

This fresh song titled “el Mokhtalifeen” (المختلفين), or “Different”, is an appetizer of El Morabba3’s upcoming new full-length album, their first since 2012’s self-titled LP.

And indeed, we can’t wait.

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Photo: Aspire

El-Morabba3 on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

Dubai-based duo Within You Without You (WYWY) have only released two singles yet. But you can hear they’ve already found their own sound, which is a surprisingly clear amalgam of quite broad inspirations.

Simultanously appealing for fans of shoegaze, electro(nica), and slow-core, WYWY keep one thing consistent regardless of the choice of instruments at a particular moment. And that constant thing is a gloomy, hypnotizing atmosphere mainly based in bass and reverb.

A follow-up to “That Changes Everything”, which came out in October, the duo’s new track “Questions” is even darker than its predecessor, at least as far as the sound is concerned. Because at the same time, it gives more space to Christianne Alvarez’s dreamy, yet piercing vocals.

You might know Christianne’s voice from another UAE-based group Parallel Sound System, and her partner in WYWY, Mckie, takes care of arrangements.

Right now, the duo is preparing release of their debut EP, “You’re Blessed”, and maybe it sheds more light if not on the duo themselves, then maybe on where they’re aiming at sound-wise.

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WYWY on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

Who Killed Bruce Lee are a Lebanese quartet presently based in Germany where they’re busy cooking their upcoming album.

Known for their killer grooves and catchy riffs, the four bearded dudes from Beirut released their first 4 tracks EP back in 2013 and have been consistently releasing video singles ever since.

A week ago, they finally gave us a taste of their second crowdfunded album “Distant Randez Vouz” with the video release for the debut single.

“Born Addicted” sounds, at first glance, like the boys have left their funky grooves behind for a quality produced dark, garage-y guitar riff over a tread-y beat, nevertheless maintaining their insanely catchy aspect.

The black and white video seemingly paying homage to the widely popular “Seven Nations Army” added to the tune’s grim and promises more great highly produced videos from “Randez Vouz”.

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Who Killed Bruce Lee on Facebook, Twitter, www + Best of 2015.

Norwegian newcomer Farida made some stir a few weeks ago with her debut single “Three Weeks“. Now she takes us on another R’n’B trip, “Solo Ride”.

In her first track, the young Scandinavian singer-songwriter (with some Algerian roots) told us about “Three Weeks” you need to fall in love – as well as to forget about it. Apart from the layered, digitalized chorus, the song’s obvious highlight was its dense, somehow mysterious atmosphere.

Her new single is a perfect neo-soul ballad and further exploration of human relationships. Though actually, on “Solo Ride” she discovers the freedom you feel when you realise power and self-confidence is something you can find on your own.

Both tracks produced by Farida’s fellow Norwegian, Morten Gillebo a.k.a. Mogilla, herald her upcoming debut record. Named “The 25th Hour”, it is set to come out in April, and will hopefully make a lot of stir in R’n’B circles.

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Photo credit: Sara Abraham

Farida on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Emel Mathlouthi is a bad ass. Even before 2010, her music was banned from radio and TV due to her dissident songs and growing popularity.

Despite this, her track “Kelmti Horra” went viral online during the 2011 uprisings in the Arab world, to which she subsequently released her international debut album of the same name with a dynamism of tracks ranging from the more industrious “Ma Ikit” (Not Found) to folkier “Dhlaem” (Tyrant).

I was worried for a bit when I hadn’t heard anything new in a couple years, but like all good rebels, she’s back with a notable maturity and strength releasing two tracks on her SoundCloud.

“Ensen Dhaif” (Weak Person) is highly rhythmic, pushed along Arabic percussions and a nay that are both digitized to add a sonic texture that is edgy yet familiar to those of us from the Arab world.

Some days later she released “A L’Infini”, a track in French that is also very percussive, electronic, and dark making me hope a new album is in the pipeline.

Edit: “And yes a new album is coming fall 2016,” Emel tells us.

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Emel Mathlouthi on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, www.

You don’t have to speak the language to catch the wittiness behind Lebanese sisters Michelle & Noel Keserwany, who recently released the video for their single “Zaffatleh El Tarik”, or “He paved my street” in Arabic.

The song is no stranger to the girls’ famous satirical lyrics interpreting daily Lebanese life, focusing this time on the fake promises politicians make (you can learn more about the idea behind the lyrics on their YouTube description).

However, musically, it seems the sisters have put down their spoken-words-over-acoustic-guitars style for a dubstep-ish beat in the first half before turning into a pop rock anthem in its second, maintaining the sing along element of their charming Lebanese dialect.

It sounds like the Keserwany sisters have finally decided to put some production efforts into their music and we’re not minding it at all!

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Michelle & Noel Keserwany on Facebook, YouTube.

A hidden gem, Moroccan band Tawargit – or “The Dream” in English – are five young musicians from Tangier portraying their Amazighi identity through music.

2011 saw them come together to release their first album “Saghru”. It was followed by their 2014 effort “Azwu n Tilelli”, or “Wind of Freedom”, which put them forward on the international World Music map after the success of its title track as well as “Elulu” and many others.

Like most of Tawargit’s tracks, “Elulu” – or “Sublime Mother” – starts off with an acoustic guitar riff immersed in African and Berber influences, before breaking into a nostalgic Nay line transcending into a full Berber encounter.

All of that mingles beautifully with the deep vocals of Muha Ennassiri apace with alluring Moroccan percussion beats, creating a spellbound sound completely fresh to the ears, overcoming language barriers and proving that Music is an international language like no other.

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Tawargit on Soundcloud, Facebook, YouTube.

Tarabband’s 2012 debut album “Ya Sidi” was a sensation to anyone who loves to cross music genres and time barriers. Their new album, “Ashofak Baden”, deserves as much hype.

The Malmö-based group founded by Iraqi/Egyptian singer Nadin Al Khalidi and Swedish guitarist Gabriel Hermansson has been already introduced on beehype via their unforgettable hit “Baghdad Choby“, originally from Tarabband’s first record.

Their latest effort took shape in time when Nadin’s motherland has been once again torn by war, and her current home – she came to Sweden in 2002 as a refugee – is being torn by the migrant crisis. The title track off the album, “Ashofak Baden” – or “We Will Meet Later” – has been inspired by a Yazidi couple from northern Iraq who posted a selfie on social media just before fighting entered their town.

As the band explained, it’s “a last minute conversation between a newly wedded couple, just few minutes before they were separated by the cruelty and force of war.”

While you can stream the whole album on Spotify right now – and four great tracks on their Soundcloud – here’s one of its highlight, a captivating song called “Misteniyak”, once again about love and loss.

Apart from Nadin’s airy vocals, it features French verses by Martinique-born, Paris-bred bassist and singer Romain Coutama, and will certainly become one the most memorable moments of Tarabband’s live shows.

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Tarabband on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, www.

Alexandrian veterans Massar Egbari (مسار إجباري) are one of the longest lasting underground bands, not only in the Egyptian but also the Middle Eastern scene.

Actively involved for the past 10 years between representing Egypt in numerous live festivals along with two widely successful studio albums, it is no surprise they are often dubbed as the “Egyptian Dire Straits”.

Following a successful UK summer tour and a ten years anniversary concert series back in their home country, the “Microphone” stars recently released a new video for their latest single titled “Cheerophobia” (شيروفوبيا); a term invented by lyricist Ahmed El Rawy to express the phobia of being cheerful.

Matching the lyrical mood, the video sees a calm girl staring at a mirror before quickly resembling several contradicting emotions through happiness, sadness, confusion, anger, depression and everything in between.

While the song is a bit of a departure from Massar’s famous rock style into more modern pop, evidently coming across in the cow-bell drenched intro to midway claps, it’s refreshing to see bands reinventing their musical style to plausibly capitalize on budding audience.

And with more than 320,000 views in 2 weeks, it is no doubt “Cheerophobia” is already a hit.

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Massar Egbari on Facebook, Twitter, www.

With three singles already out, we can safely expect Ninet Tayeb’s third album will be one of 2016’s liveliest rock records not only in Israel.

An already acclaimed artist in the Israeli scene, Ninet seems to be just starting her international career with a recent visit at SXSW and sharing stage with Steven Wilson of the Porcupine Tree fame on his just-finished American tour.

Her proper international debut – released just under her first name – is supposed to come out this summer. But we’ve already heard three tracks off this upcoming record: compelling “Child”, appalling “Parachute”, and most recently a very direct and fierce song called “Superstar”.

While you can stream all of them right now on Ninet’s Soundcloud, here’s a very intense video for “Child” directed by Nimrod Shapira.

Ninet on Facebook, YouTube, www.

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Israel @ Best of 2015

Listening to the single “I’ll Be” by Sivan Talmor raises two significant feelings. First, you might be thinking you are listening to Joni Mitchell or Janis Ian. And secondly, you will get the sense it was recorded for an American movie soundtrack.

Talmor’s 2013 debut album named “לונה פארק” (an amusement park in Tel Aviv) was produced by Israeli musician and composer Yoni Bloch and featured Hebrew lyrics as an opposite for Sivan’s new album, “Fire”. This new record presents a new Sivan Talmor – one of the finest folk singer-songwriters today in Israel.

The album consists of seven tracks produced by Ori Winokur (who had the chance of working with various successful artists such as Asaf Avidan), all crafted carefully to a piece of art.

“Fire” takes the listener through the process of an art in the making to a complete vision, as if you were watching an extraordinary painting or a sculpture in a museum.

Naming the album “Fire” might be deceiving at first, but indeed, the real warmth lies in Sivan’s deep voice and whistling as could be found in songs like “Fire” and “Young Believers”.

Her voice melts any brain into a pool of happiness, floating in it, from the first to the last second of the album, which you can stream “Fire” in its entirety on Bandcamp.

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Sivan Talmor on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, www.

Alternative Egyptian sextet Salalem (سلالم) come back with an accessible yet imaginative single “Nefsi”.

The Cairo-based group have been around for more than decade. During that time they’ve developed their own distinctive sound (mix of folk, rock, funk and local influences). Simultanously, they’ve gained a well-deserved recognition far outside the local/regional underground scene – in spite of the fact that they sing in Arabic.

“Nefsi” (نِفْسي), meaning “Myself”, is a great example of their style. Combining memorable themes and a composing edge Salalem’s been known for, they make you unsure where they’ll take you as long as the song is playing.

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Photo by Amer Sweidan

Salalem on Soundcloud, Facebook, YouTube.

Up-and-coming Israeli singer-songwriter Neomi Hashmonay (נעמי חשמונאי) recently gave us a fascinating debut album, “8 Lines”, recorded with a group of talented local musicians.

On her first effort, Neomi introduced herself as an honest, slightly dramatic, and incredibly imaginative writer and singer. She combines personal stories with broader observations, and rock arrangements with the sounds of violin, viola, cello and piano.

While you can stream “8 Lines” (שמונה שורות) in its entirety on her Bandcamp, here’s the opening track that cought our attention the first time we heard it, and we’re quite sure you’ll keep it on repeat for the next few days.

Neomi Hashmonay on Facebook, YouTube, Bandcamp.

Berlin-based Yemeni-German duo of Ibi Ibrahim and Hanno Stecher have successfully crowfunded their debut album, “Momken Bokra”, which came out at the beginning of this year.

The band combines Arabic lyrics and traditional Middle Eastern patterns with contemporary influences, unafraid of building tensity with minimal means. It takes a while to fully appreciate their compositions, but they’re worth the effort.

“We see our music as a bridge not only between two people of different backgrounds, but also as a bridge between different parts of the world,” they explained. “Our goal is to create something, that merges our different musical influences and approaches.”

The whole album consists of 9 original songs and a cover of traditional Yemeni folk song. While you can stream the whole thing on Bandcamp, here’s one of the most beautiful moments of the album, “Enta Arabi” (Are you an Arab?), full of questions about identity.

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Photo credit: Robert Rieger

Kabreet on Facebook, Instagram, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, www.

The post Yemen / Germany: Kabreet – “Momken Bokra” appeared first on beehype.

It is quite difficult nowadays to find a rock band in the Israeli indie scene that actually makes it through. And although many alternative groups take their inspiration from rock, The Paz Band stick to the classic, true hard rock.

Gal De Paz has a powerful spirit to keep this genre alive, as she does on her upcoming album, “Down the Rabbit Hole”, recorded with The Paz Band.

I had the chance to interview De Paz a few days after a successful album release show. I met her in her apartment in Tel Aviv to hear about the new record, her band and her personality.

Tom Avitan: You decided to launch a Headstart campaign – similar to Kickstarter – to raise money for the new album. It does require some guts to ask for 80,000 shekels.

Gal De Paz: “We wished to produce this album independently and Headstart filled the need to share our creation with fans. We didn’t try to reach any record labels. We didn’t want to be in some kind of situation where we are in a shadow of someone, generally. I don’t like to be told what to do.”

“As far for the guts it took – it is an integral part of the profession. Every step you make in all sort of areas is a big decision.”

You’re also a member of hip-hop group Lucille Crew. How does composing music with The Band differ from Lucille?

“In Lucille I’m ‘one of the puppets’, the writing process is shared.”

“With The Band I feel loosened. We all come from the same musical origins. Mostly when I come up with a new song, I play it on the piano and the band members dig it.”

“Alice in Wonderland” is one of the main motifs in the new album.

“Definitely. It is my favorite movie. I took many life references from it. ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ is about letting yourself fall deep into your soul, explore you consciousness, as a reference to the Rabbit character.”

What about the Hummingbird?

“Hummingbird is a tattoo I did on my back a few years ago. It represents for me that constant motion I felt I must be in over the last years.”

At the age of 23, you released your debut album “Blues LaChalom” with Hebrew songs only. It is difficult to find connection between your early release and your last two albums.

“Writing and singing in Hebrew is just not me. I grew up on country, blues and soul. When I started making my own music, I naturally picked up English. Kids in my age watched Disney movies translated to Hebrew. I never understood their references because I watched the original English versions.”

“However, I don’t regret that my debut was in Hebrew. I still like some of the songs. But for me, that Gal De Paz was a lost girl.”

It seems you found your home with The Band?

“I finally met people willing to take it with me to the end. Our guitarist, Motti Leibel, has been a friend of mine for 12 years now. We studied in music school together. We even had a cover band. Since Or Kachlon and Raz Blitzblau joined us on drums and bass, respectively, I felt I found the right company. And we recently added Yuval Brusilovsky on the keys.”

You are also known by the name “Goldie”, which your second album was named after. Since then, you got through divorce…

“And therefore this new album came out more personal and even darker than my previous releases. I tried to express in a radical way what I had gone through.”

Where did your musical inspirations come from for this record?

“Mostly, I go back to the classics. Soul, blues and country have been the music I was listening to with my family when I grew up.”

“I also draw my inspiration from what’s around me. Lucille made me interested in hip-hop. And my spouse, Ofer, got me to explore blues because he’s a blues musician. And so it has become part of my songwriting.”

“I always look for music that lets you express your feelings in the most powerful way. I love simplicity.”

And what profession would you pick if not music?

“I just can’t imagine it. I guess I would have grown weed.”

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Photographer: Baruch “Hanegbi”

The Paz Band on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

The post Interview: Gal De Paz (The Paz Band) – Israel appeared first on beehype.

Alexandra-based duo Aqsa Alwasat (أقصى الوسط) have been combining Arabic words with folk and all kinds of contemporary influences for three years now. And they keep getting better and better at it.

Singer-songwriter Tuqa McAwi and multi-instrumentalist Amr Ezz started their band in 2013 with a simple mission: to blend their diverse experiences (symphonic metal among them) into their very own sound that would be as difficult to define as possible. And they clearly succeeded.

But what stands out most from Aqsa Alwasat’s music is, simply, its beauty. Listeners around the world have quickly recognized the duo’s feeling for melodies, rhythm, and enchanting atmosphere. And the band’s live performances are a thing to look forward to.

Aqsa Alwasat’s latest track, “Haga” (حاجة), is a great example of the talents mentioned above. In less than 3 minutes they manage to draw us into a picturesque musical scenery, with Tuqa’s angelic voice floating freely over an acoustic mini-orchestra.

For those who (like us) itch for more after some repeated listened there’s some good news. Right after sharing this siren song Aqsa Alwasat promised “more and more coming up soon.” We hold them to their word.

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Aqsa Alwasat on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter.

The post Egypt: Aqsa Alwasat appeared first on beehype.