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Gilan El-Attar, the daughter of well-known Bahrain’s soul singer and special needs advocate Christine Gordon, has followed in her musical footsteps by releasing a single and music video.
An analytical chemist by day and a moving musician by night, she recently unveiled her second solo single entitled Twice about toxic traits on several social media platforms.
“My new track is all about meeting someone new with the same toxic behavioural traits as someone from your past,” said Gilan, 31, who currently lives in the UK.
“Sometimes life will try to teach you a lesson which perhaps you don’t quite fully finish the first time around. It can be frustrating when you realise you have already been there, done that and happen to be repeating it.”
The music video was filmed by Joseph Williams in and around her garage due to Covid-19 restrictions. The former Bahrain school student is also using this time to work on her next release and other tracks following the successful release of her first recording called Sign of the End Times launched last year.
She said: “I have a few more singles up my sleeve for this year. I am currently working on my next release which will hopefully be ready in a few months.
“I’m hoping that this song is the first step in my evolution as a singer-songwriter. It has definitely been a learning curve producing for myself, and I hope I get even better with each single release.”
Gilan grew up in a musical household. Her father, Dr Emad was a chemist and musician, and her mum, Christine, could be found singing soulful and jazzy renditions of various songs from the likes of Jamiroquai and Sade and performing with local bands and musicians, mostly notably, a popular residency at the former Upstairs Downstairs restaurant.
“When I was very little, I would sometimes sing along with her bandmates and even hop on stage,” added Gilan. “As far back as I can remember, I have had this sense of ease and pure joy while singing. Perhaps it’s because both of my parents would perform music when I was younger.
“Music has always been in my life. I can’t really remember a time when I was without it. Music was always there for me whatever my mood and whatever the scenario.”
Gilan’s parents are also known across the kingdom for being the co-founders of RIA Institute Bahrain, an inclusive education centre that caters to the needs of students with special needs. They had opened the institute in 1999 to support special needs students like their son Othmann, now 25, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three.
Her mum is her hero and inspiration. “She has done so much for my family, worked several different jobs and somehow managed to keep on singing and performing throughout it all,” said Gilan, who plays guitar, bass and is learning to play the cello.
“I hope I can look back at my life when I am older and say the same. My dream is also to get to a point in my life where music is my main career, so that I can spend my life performing.
“On a side note, I’d also like to live in a world where we have tackled climate change, ended poverty, war and bigotry and have moved forward as a species. Dream big or stay home, I guess!”
Speaking of home, Gilan would love to visit her folks in Adliya at some point but for now is keeping busy with her music and career. Her sister Mary, 15, is currently living in the UK as well.
During Gilan’s days in Bahrain, she first attended the Dilmun School and then Al Noor International School before heading to the UK to study Chemistry at the University of Bradford.
She got her masters in Forensic Analysis at Kingston University. Since then, she has been working in the UK but definitely misses Bahrain.
She added: “I am so proud of the way Bahrain has moved forward as a country since I left. Each time I revisited, or am visited by friends and family, there has been real progression in terms of cultural growth and understanding. To the people pushing for change, it hasn’t gone unnoticed, keep up the good fight!”
To purchase her track and for details, check out Gilan Music on Facebook and @herecomesgilan on Instagram.
