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Bahraini musician Mo Zowayed is aiming to take his unique blend of folksy, bluegrass music across the region with a tour and album release.
Fans in Bahrain will be able to sample a range of his new and old material when The Accidentals frontman performs tomorrow evening at Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa’s Ibrida in Seef.
He will be taking to the stage proving he has more than one string to his bow. The former Ibn Khuldoon National School student will be playing a range of instruments including the mandolin, banjo, trumpet, ukulele, harmonica and his first love, the guitar.
Mo said: “My main instrument is the guitar. It’s what I use to write and come up with new ideas. My fingers know exactly what to do to express an idea on the guitar without me even having to think about it.
“I took piano and music lessons as a kid so that definitely helped but I taught myself how to play all the other instruments that I play now. Once you understand the language of music it’s just a matter of translating it when picking up a new instrument.”
Mo’s passionate playing has been inspired by his father, Yusuf, who plays the oud and his late grandfather, Mohamed, a respected folk singer. However, the modern music Mo plays and writes is not native to Bahrain, but closer to what can be referred to as American folk. When Mo requested his first guitar at the age of 13, his parents were more than happy to oblige him.
Mo said: “I grew up with music so there was never really a moment when I ‘got’ into it. My dad played his oud all the time when I was a kid and still does. He plays traditional Bahraini music and records it too.
“He was my inspiration; because singing and playing was something he did all the time. And, obviously, like most boys, what my dad did was the absolute ‘coolest’ thing to do.
“Also there’s a bit of irony in the fact that I love folk music. I was born three years after the passing of my grandfather and so we never met. When the differences in language and style are forgotten for a moment, the similarities remain clear as we both enjoyed singing about the same things: travel, love and nostalgia.
“When I got my first guitar, everything changed. It quickly went from something that I heard and enjoyed to an obsession.
“At the time, I was really into heavy music – I’m trying not to say heavy metal but, OK, there you have it! It’s been almost 14 years now and needless to say my tastes have changed drastically.”
Mo’s eclectic style and multi-instrumental prowess has swayed the crowds at various events including Bohemian festivals – Farmfest and Sandfest, at the Brazil Lounge, Bab Market, the British Club of Bahrain and at Ibrida.
Tomorrow night’s audience can expect to hear a number of original songs penned by the musician who added: “I promise this will be the best set yet and I’ll be playing a few songs I have not performed live in a long time.”
Mo also says that the show will be a ‘musical journey’ for the audience to experience and enjoy to the fullest.
He said: “I try to live every song and I feel how the music wants me to feel and that’s the beauty of it. It goes up and down and takes you on a journey and all you can do is let go and experience it.”
The band comprises of Ali Boulala on ukulele and guitar, Weaam Sperink on banjo, Iba Almohsen on cajon and tambourine, Melvin San Maguil on bass and Szabolcs Niggo on trumpet.
The show starts at 9pm and entrance is free.
For more details, visit www.mozowayed.com or contact Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa at 17111999.
