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One of Bahrain’s leading acts has been selected to play a gig at a major festival in Dubai, signalling a significant breakthrough for the band on the international scene.
Majaz was formed in 2013, and after shows at The Nest, Spring of Culture and last weekend’s Desert Beats Festival, the four-piece has landed one of only seven spots in the Arab Alternative Music Festival (WASLA) line-up.
Guitarist and backing vocalist Hameed AlSaeed said: “We are extremely excited to be a part of WASLA’s line-up for this year. It is obviously a huge opportunity for us to share our music and gain more exposure regionally.
“We are also very humbled to be sharing the stage with some of the most-acclaimed bands and musicians in the Arab world such as Cairokee from Egypt, Hayajan from Jordan, Autostrad also from Jordan and more.”
In recent years the band members have been busy composing more of their own music, experimenting with various instruments and moods before they found their niche with progressive fusion folk.
The other members include Abdulla Faisal (percussion), Salah Sharakhat (bass and backing vocals) and Jehad Al Halal (cello and guitar).
Salah explained: “The main reason behind our success is that we play music that entertains all kind of people from all age groups. Also, the trust and faith we have in each other as a band has been the stepping stone to reaching where we are now. Our dream is to tour the world and share our music with as many people as possible.”
The band’s first EP, Rihla, which is the Arabic translation of ‘Journey’, is available now. It contains four tracks, each influenced by different sounds from various cultures, fused with progressive musical influences.
It has been well-received by fans and critics, and a first full-length album is in the works which the group hope to release next year.
Hameed added: “We’d also like to throw out a big ‘thank you’ to all our friends, fans and supporters here in Bahrain and everywhere else!”
l For more information about the band, visit www.majaz-music.com. The Rihla EP is available at Algattan Guitar Clinic in Tubli and Room2Rock in Saar, and can be found online at www.bandcamp.com and www.amazon.com
