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You’ve been playing regularly in Dubai for over a decade. How have you seen the music scene change?
I’ve been playing in Dubai for 12 years. When I got here the scene was very different – there were only hotel entertainers or musicians on contracts. There weren’t many people doing something meaningful. Now, it’s different. It’s still a small scene but there are more festivals and definitely more musicians in town trying to settle here, work independently and build careers.
What’s your favourite thing about performing live?
I love it. It connects me to a bigger field of energy. Instead of jumping in a swimming pool, it’s like jumping in the ocean and enjoying the waves. You’re incredibly exposed to everyone – you give something and get something back. Even though I come off the stage tired, it’s like being recharged.
Your signature sound is a kind of Arabic jazz-fusion. How did this lead you to develop hybrid instruments?
I’ve developed some signature guitar models under my name with Ibanez, the third biggest guitar company in the world. One of these is an electric guitar with frets that allow quarter tones, which are vital to Arabic scales. They’re being sold all over the world.
What are you working on right now?
At the moment, I’m working on my upcoming album ‘Homemade in Rome’. It’s realised in April so I’m working on the sleeve and the promo. We recorded it in Rome, turning a friend’s house into a studio – hence the title. The result was amazing. There’s a really raw sound.
How is this album different to your others?
It takes a relatively new direction compared to my previous albums. There’s still an Arabic jazz-fusion aspect, with the electric oud and Arabic guitar, but there’s also a flamenco influence. We recorded a flamenco dancer clapping her hands and tapping her feet and used it as a beat. She’ll hopefully be joining us on stage for some of our gigs too.
What can we expect from your set at the Gulf Music Festival?
It’s a new festival so I might play one or two tracks off the new album, with a couple of older songs too. It’ll be a taste of what I do.
