In this episode we hear from Adham Al Saeed, who is a member of the Egyptian band, Wust El Balad. We talk about his childhood and his story with Polio disease. Recalling that part of his life, he also revisits his relationship with his grandmother and her musical influence on him. An intimate conversation in which he shares the experiences that shaped and pa ... Show More
Sep 2025
Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra: A Beacon of Light
In this episode, we hear from musicians Maryse and Shahinaz from the Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra, an ensemble made up entirely of visually impaired women. Established in the early 1960s, the orchestra has nurtured countless talented musicians who went on to tour the world with the ... Show More
27m 20s
Oct 2025
Yara Qawariq: My voice showed me the world
In this episode we meet Palestinian singer Yara Qawariq, whose music journey began from early childhood when she joined "Al Kamandjati Music Conservatory" in Ramallah. We trace Yara's journey with all its influences and motives, from the second Intifada in Palestine, to her gradu ... Show More
32m 35s
Oct 2025
Ziad Sinno: Each end is a beginning
In this episode, we meet singer and music producer, Ziad Sinno. He takes us through his journey: from Beirut to London, transitioning from a physiotherapist to a musician, and from visual impairment to non-sightedness. All of these stories have collided to put him on the path he' ... Show More
16m 30s
Sep 2023
Ahmed Masoud: Amplifying Palestinian voices
In this episode, Rafeef, Tayla, and Tom are joined by Ahmed Masoud, Gaza-born Palestinian writer, director, and academic based in the United Kingdom. Ahmed is the author of Come What May and Vanished which address issues in Gazan society, as well as in broader trends in Palestin ... Show More
50m 4s
May 2022
Sheikh Imam: Voice of Dissent
A blind oud player from humble beginnings, Sheikh Imam's destiny changed drastically when he met a dissident poet called Ahmed Fouad Negm, and they formed a duo. Together, they would go on start a new era in Egyptian popular music. Their songs would shake regimes, travel the worl ... Show More
45m 25s