Above & Beyond: UAE Music

The pressures on independent Middle Eastern musicians are on the rise. These pressures vary from gaining enough exposure to maintaining their originality within a very competitive scene. We take a look at how some UAE-based bands (and artists) are being proactive about creating their own buzz.

The harsh truth is, an independent musician is more likely to be taken ‘lightly’, even at face value – which means that, regardless of the quality of music, there are many other aspects which could make or break a career.

That doesn’t mean that as regional independent artists, it’s all doom and gloom. In this modern age of instantaneous communication and knowledge at everyone’s fingertips – the opportunities are golden. We take a look at some recent examples from the regional scene, who are creating an adequate buzz for their work through different avenues.

Nervecell:

Death Metal and mainstream might not go hand in hand, but Death Metal and hardcore fans might. This Dubai-bred band has been working relentlessly since its inception in 2002 to stand out in a then ‘small’ scene. From European tours to opening to iconic bands such as Metallica (in front of an audience estimated at more than 20,000).

Nervecell will also embark on a month-long tour with American death metal band, Morbid Angel across Europe & the UK. The tour will have 23 dates across different European and UK cities. This tour and opportunity is an amazing feat for the band (and the scene) and proves that no matter what genre you are in, if you are savvy enough (and don’t mind some hard work), you’ll be on the right track.

Hamdan Al Abri:

Hamdan got his start in the soul/jazz outfit Abri. Now, as a solo artist, he has written and produced a spectacular EP which perfectly projects his many talents. But one can always argue that even great music (on its own) might not have an audience – which is sadly true. Exposure is key, and having your own original tracks featured on massive American TV shows (CSI!) is not too shabby either!

These are just a couple of recent examples from two completely different musicians from the UAE. It’s important to know that no matter what your style is, knowing your audience and studying creative way to introduce yourself to the market can be as important as any so-called ‘lucky break’.

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