The Kordz

In the last part of our series on 'Discovering Lebanon' (see the interviews with the other bands Meen & Mashrou3 Leila) triplew.me talked to The Kordz, who have been working with some great global talents on their latest offering.

The Kordz have gone from strength to strength over the last ten years of their existence, culminating in their latest album Beauty in the East, working with famed producer Ulrich Wild (Deftones, Breaking Benjamin, Seether) and having the very talented Jeff Burrows (drummer for Canadian band The Tea Party) work with them on the album.

Mixing together talented musicianship, riff-driven rock sensibilities and traditional Arabic musical structures and progressions, The Kordz have many similarities with some of the Middle Eastern-influenced Burows' and The Tea Party's earlier work (think The Edges of Twilight or Transmission), and it's a sound we here at triplew.me are surprised we don't hear more of in the region.

From the underlying Arabic harmonies and rhythm of Last Call, the heartfelt lyrics and building crescendos of Save Us right through to the haunting melodies of The Garden there is a lot to offer on Beauty and The East and its certainly one of the most original collections of songs that we've heard for a long time.

The Kordz (very) recently supported Placebo in their Beirut concert and have also supported Robert Plant in Tunisia, and by all accounts, almost all but upstage their international rivals, especially in their hometown Beirut. We decided to talk to Moe Hamzeh (vocals) from The Kordz to see what the group is up to now, what drives them and a little bit about the new album.

Over the last decade, The Kordz seem to have gone from strength to strength after touring extensively in and working with some amazingly talented musicians and lately, supporting Placebo in Beirut. Tell us, what was that like?

The Kordz is well known as an active live band in Lebanon and beyond, we're constantly performing and touring, and this has helped to earn us the status and reputation we now enjoy with promoters. It's great being asked to work with, and perform with, artists such as Robert Plant and lately with Placebo, for the second time, which was a great honor for us and an amazing opportunity and experience!

On your latest release, which we love, Beauty and The East, you worked with rock super-producer Ulrich Wild. What was it like to work with such a famous producer?

Ulrich is an amazing producer as well as a great person to work with, in fact when I first talked to him to discuss his view on the album production direction and sound, we were on the same wavelength and shared the same vision straight-away.  We trusted his vision and we felt that our music was in safe hands, and we were right! We are really satisfied from the final outcome...

You also worked with the amazing drummer/percussionist Jeff Burrows on the album. How did you find working with someone like that in the studio?

Jeff is a highly experienced, talented, and professional drummer. His sound and drumming style were exactly what our music needed, a perfect match! Not to mention that he is a also a great person to know!

After well over ten years together, and constant touring, what inspires you to keep going and keep things fresh?

The dream! Without it, we would have given up a long time ago. We had, and still have, loads of obstacles, but we are determined to keep the spirit high. The life we are living is a source of inspiration, and the hope of getting our music and message to the world is what motivates and drives us...

You have a loyal fanbase – and you have a great presence online – how important to your promotion is the online world?

Our fans are the main catalyst and force for what we do, and the online presence is crucial to maintain our relationship with them. We are constantly communicating with them via the web and we share our thoughts, moods, and update them with our news...it's really important.

Tell us your favourite gig/concert you have performed to date?

I would say each gig has its own special vibe, but so far, our appearance with Robert Plant in Tunisia, and the latest gig with Placebo were remarkable.

If The Kordz could have anyone support YOU, who would it be (living, dead or otherwise)?

Hmmm...I am lost here...there are many great artists... just to name few; we hope that we would be able to perform with Alice In Chains especially now that they are back, or Pink Floyd...or Porcupine Tree...it goes on!

What’s next for The Kordz?

More gigs...also getting Beauty & the East out worldwide, as we are still struggling to release it properly outside the Middle East. We're also shooting a video...and on top of that, we're starting work on a new album!

You know about triplew.me’s Makshoof Music initiative, what advice can you give to young bands looking to get noticed?

Be original, keep on performing and maintain an online presence. Oh, and focus on the essence of what you do, which is the music!

The two standard last questions from triplew.me, What are The Kordz listening to right now?

I am not sure what the other band members are listening to lately, but I am personally hooked on Alice In Chains' Black Gives Way to Blue album... and Porcupine Tree's Anesthetize, and any Blind Melon albums.

If you had to choose - constant day or constant night?

Constant Night, for sure!

Check out a video for The Kordz' 'Purgatory', below, and ask for their album Beauty and the East from all good record stores across the Middle East. To listen to the band check their MySpace here.