U-Basstard
tragic mix
Group Doueh - Western Sahara
Omar Souleyman - Syria
This is first ever Sublime Frequencies Tour. It brings to the UK two live acts who have released albums on the Sublime Frequencies label; Group Doueh (from the Western Sahara) and Omar Souleyman (from Syria) plus Sublime Frequencies DJ set and on certain dates Sublime Frequencies film screenings and talks.
For up to date info, photos, films and audio check:
www.sublimefrequencies.com
www.myspace.com/sublimefrequencies2
//
UK TOUR DATES
MAY 2009
Wed 20 BRIGHTON
ST GEORGE'S CHURCH (Brighton Festival)
7.15pm / £12.50 adv / 01273 709709 / www.brightonfestival.org
Thu 21 BIRMINGHAM
HARE & HOUNDS (Promoted by Capsule)
8pm / £10 / www.theticketsellers.co.uk / www.capsule.org
Fri 22 GLASGOW, STEREO
8pm-12am / £10/£8.50 concessions / 0870 220 1116 / www.tickets-scotland.com
Sat 23 NEWCASTLE
STAR & SHADOW - (Promoted by No-Fi)
Films 6pm-7.30pm; Music 8pm-12am / £10 adv / www.seetickets.com / www.no-fi.org.uk
Sun 24 BRISTOL
FIDDLERS (Promoted by Qu Junktions)
8pm-1am / / £9 adv / www.bristolticketshop.co.uk / www.qujunktions.com
Mon 25 FALMOUTH
MISS PEAPODS (Promoted by Lono Records)
8pm-12am / £10 / www.thepoly.org / 01326 212300 / www.lonorecords.com
Wed 27 MANCHESTER
MINT LOUNGE (Promoted by Faktion)
9pm-1am / £8 adv/£10 door (£9 NUS concession on door only) / 0161 839 8008 / www.boomkat.com / www.faktionmcr.blogspot.com
Thu 28 NORWICH
ARTS CENTRE
8pm-11pm / £10/£8 concessions / 01603 660352 / www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
Fri 29 LONDON
TUFNELL PARK DOME (Promoted by Upset The Rhythm)
8pm-2am / £10 / www.wegottickets.com / www.upsettherhythm.co.uk
Sat 30 CAMBRIDGE
ALL SAINTS CHURCH (Palimpsest Festival)
2pm-11pm / £18 adv / www.palimpsest-festival.co.uk
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES FILM SCREENINGS with Talks and Discussions
Tue 19 MAY BRISTOL
CUBE CINEMA – FILM SCREENING (Promoted by Qu Junktions)
7.30pm / £2 (no one turned away due to lack of funds) / 0117 907 4190 / www.cubecinema.com
Films screened as part of the Sat 23 May NEWCASTLE, STAR & SHADOW date
Films 6pm-7.30pm
Tues 26 MAY LONDON
DOWNSTAIRS AT THE DOME – FILMS SCREENING (Promoted by Upset The Rhythm)
8pm / £5 / www.wegottickets.com / www.upsettherhythm.co.uk
Please Note: The bands do not play (apart from Newcastle date) at FILM SCREENINGS events but Alan, Mark and Hisham will be there to introduce, talk and discuss SUBLIME FREQUENCIES.
Tour produced by Qu Junktions and supported by SAM (formally CMN)
//
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES
Sublime Frequencies was founded in 2003 by Alan Bishop (Sun City Girls), Hisham Mayet, and Richard Bishop (Sun City Girls). In 5 years, the label has produced nearly 50 releases. The label specializes in releasing sound recordings, video, and film from all over the world with emphasis on North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. SF also covers other areas including South America and sub-Saharan Africa. Sublime Frequencies presentation, aesthetic, and approach sidesteps traditional ethnomusicology, academic protocol and corporate funding, documenting the sound and images of ignored cultural phenomenon rich in expressive ideas. Sublime Frequencies are also focused on breaking down traditional barriers of how international music and related culture is perceived by the way it is presented. Sublime Frequencies are presenting some of the greatest expressive music in the world with only one agenda in mind: that it needs to be heard or seen, respected and recognized. Always eye opening and aurally astounding, this Sublime Frequencies Tour will surely be a series of unbelievable experiences for the audience and those involved.
The tour is much more than just a couple of Sublime Frequencies bands playing, there is not really such a thing. Group Doueh and Omar Souleyman have been invited to come to Europe, Sublime Frequencies have been visiting the bands in their home countries and helping them prepare for the tour, and making some new recordings and documentations – which will be released in tandem with the UK tour dates. This will be the first time either band has toured in Europe or the UK and it plans to be a real occasion. Nearly the whole SF label team will come on tour with them, adding their own creative impulses and artistic work to the tour - films, DJ sets, talks, special and limited Sublime Frequencies merchandise. This is a street level, artist run enterprise and that is how it will be presented.
GROUP DOUEH
Group Doueh are led by the enigmatic guitar hero Bamaar Salmou, who is known simply as 'Doueh' (pronounced: 'Doo-way'). They are from Dakhla, in the Western Sahara. The group's sound is unlike anything that you've ever heard before. It is a sound that is rooted in the traditional foundations of Sahrawi/Hassania music, but one that is also entirely its own. It shares its roots with the neighbouring styles of Mauritanian music, however Group Doueh have managed to transcend the classical limitations of that music with a fiery, independent, and avant approach that incorporates a distinctly pop and rock element that is anomalous in the region. This is a sound that can only come from the land that inspired it. This is the sound of the Sahara desert. It is a searing, meditative, and hypnotic modal sandstorm of note clusters that has been cathartic to anyone who has heard it.
Group Doueh have been playing together for over 20 years. The band consists of their leader, Doueh on guitar and tinidit, his wife Halima on vocals and tbal, their son Jamal on organ, and longtime friend Bashiri also on vocals. They had declined several offers from Moroccan, French and Spanish recording labels to release their music. It was not until Sublime Frequencies, after a long search for the music landed them at the man's house in Dakhla, that Doueh agreed to have his music released for the very first time.
OMAR SOULEYMAN
Omar Souleyman is a musical legend from Syria. For the past 15 years, he and his group have emerged as a staple of folk-pop throughout the country, having issued more than five-hundred studio and live-recorded cassette albums which are easily spotted in the shops of any Syrian city.
Hailing from the rural North-eastern city of Ras Al Ain, Souleyman began his musical career in 1994 with a small group of local collaborators that have been with him from the start. The group tirelessly performs concerts throughout Syria and has accepted invitations to perform abroad in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Lebanon.
The myriad musical traditions of the region are evident in their music, which reflect the sounds of Syria, Iraq, Turkey and the sizeable Kurdish population. The moods swing from coarse and urgent to dirgy and contemplative in the rugged anthems that comprise Souleyman's repertoire. Expect the ultimate party music. Omar's superb and varied vocal stylings feature over high-octane Syrian "Dabke" (the regional folkloric dance music) and a host of other styles. Frantic Arabic keyboard solos provided by the incredible Rizan Sa'id intertwine with reeds, stringed instruments and percussion. Mahmoud Harbi, a long-time collaborator and he man responsible for much of the poetry sung by Souleyman accompanies Omar for an unforgettable onstage collaboration as they perform the Ataba, a traditional form of folk poetry, where Omar's unaccompanied freestyle "mawal" singing stands in a league of its own.
This is a rare opportunity to glimpse into Syrian street-level folk-pop – a phenomenon seldom heard in the West in this form, and rarely, if ever, included on the import agenda of worldwide academic musical committees. Experience the genuine sounds of Syria and the Middle East without the condescending polish and shine of much exported "world beat".
Omar Souleyman - "Leh Jani"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgRUHIeaKOk
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES DJ SETS
One of a kind DJ set presentations featuring primarily retro 1960's and 1970's Hybrid-Pop Rock Folk Beat Yeh-Yeh Go-Go Freak Beat Psychedelic Surf and many indigenous styles from North Africa, The Middle East, South and Southeast Asia. All of the material played at these DJ sets will be unreleased archival music collected by the DJs themselves. So sit back, listen, dance, do as you will and let them saw your head off with the best music you've almost assuredly NEVER heard before! (DJs: Mark Gergis & Alan Bishop)
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES FILMS & TALKS
This tour will feature screenings of film projects by Sublime Frequencies from their vast archive of visceral and immediate folk cinema shot on location in North Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia. The SF label has released 8 and counting DVDs and several more films are currently in production. Film lengths generally range between 50 and 85 minutes. SF are currently filming new footage of the bands on this tour and plan to premier Hisham Mayet's new film 'Palace Of The Winds'. 'Palace of the Winds' explores a culture that is cloaked in mystery and mired in struggle: the Saharawis from the dry, tea-fuelled and wind swept Mauritanian Sahara. Journey through music from the northern fringes of the Western Sahara to the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott--an intoxicating tapestry of sight and sound from some of this obscure region's most legendary musicians. (The filmmaker, Hisham Mayet will be in attendance)
Alongside the films Sublime Frequencies will be talking about their work and artistic practises as
well as taking questions.
'Palace Of The Winds' trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyStrt0f5cQ
Omar Souleyman - Syria
This is first ever Sublime Frequencies Tour. It brings to the UK two live acts who have released albums on the Sublime Frequencies label; Group Doueh (from the Western Sahara) and Omar Souleyman (from Syria) plus Sublime Frequencies DJ set and on certain dates Sublime Frequencies film screenings and talks.
For up to date info, photos, films and audio check:
www.sublimefrequencies.com
www.myspace.com/sublimefrequencies2
//
UK TOUR DATES
MAY 2009
Wed 20 BRIGHTON
ST GEORGE'S CHURCH (Brighton Festival)
7.15pm / £12.50 adv / 01273 709709 / www.brightonfestival.org
Thu 21 BIRMINGHAM
HARE & HOUNDS (Promoted by Capsule)
8pm / £10 / www.theticketsellers.co.uk / www.capsule.org
Fri 22 GLASGOW, STEREO
8pm-12am / £10/£8.50 concessions / 0870 220 1116 / www.tickets-scotland.com
Sat 23 NEWCASTLE
STAR & SHADOW - (Promoted by No-Fi)
Films 6pm-7.30pm; Music 8pm-12am / £10 adv / www.seetickets.com / www.no-fi.org.uk
Sun 24 BRISTOL
FIDDLERS (Promoted by Qu Junktions)
8pm-1am / / £9 adv / www.bristolticketshop.co.uk / www.qujunktions.com
Mon 25 FALMOUTH
MISS PEAPODS (Promoted by Lono Records)
8pm-12am / £10 / www.thepoly.org / 01326 212300 / www.lonorecords.com
Wed 27 MANCHESTER
MINT LOUNGE (Promoted by Faktion)
9pm-1am / £8 adv/£10 door (£9 NUS concession on door only) / 0161 839 8008 / www.boomkat.com / www.faktionmcr.blogspot.com
Thu 28 NORWICH
ARTS CENTRE
8pm-11pm / £10/£8 concessions / 01603 660352 / www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
Fri 29 LONDON
TUFNELL PARK DOME (Promoted by Upset The Rhythm)
8pm-2am / £10 / www.wegottickets.com / www.upsettherhythm.co.uk
Sat 30 CAMBRIDGE
ALL SAINTS CHURCH (Palimpsest Festival)
2pm-11pm / £18 adv / www.palimpsest-festival.co.uk
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES FILM SCREENINGS with Talks and Discussions
Tue 19 MAY BRISTOL
CUBE CINEMA – FILM SCREENING (Promoted by Qu Junktions)
7.30pm / £2 (no one turned away due to lack of funds) / 0117 907 4190 / www.cubecinema.com
Films screened as part of the Sat 23 May NEWCASTLE, STAR & SHADOW date
Films 6pm-7.30pm
Tues 26 MAY LONDON
DOWNSTAIRS AT THE DOME – FILMS SCREENING (Promoted by Upset The Rhythm)
8pm / £5 / www.wegottickets.com / www.upsettherhythm.co.uk
Please Note: The bands do not play (apart from Newcastle date) at FILM SCREENINGS events but Alan, Mark and Hisham will be there to introduce, talk and discuss SUBLIME FREQUENCIES.
Tour produced by Qu Junktions and supported by SAM (formally CMN)
//
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES
Sublime Frequencies was founded in 2003 by Alan Bishop (Sun City Girls), Hisham Mayet, and Richard Bishop (Sun City Girls). In 5 years, the label has produced nearly 50 releases. The label specializes in releasing sound recordings, video, and film from all over the world with emphasis on North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. SF also covers other areas including South America and sub-Saharan Africa. Sublime Frequencies presentation, aesthetic, and approach sidesteps traditional ethnomusicology, academic protocol and corporate funding, documenting the sound and images of ignored cultural phenomenon rich in expressive ideas. Sublime Frequencies are also focused on breaking down traditional barriers of how international music and related culture is perceived by the way it is presented. Sublime Frequencies are presenting some of the greatest expressive music in the world with only one agenda in mind: that it needs to be heard or seen, respected and recognized. Always eye opening and aurally astounding, this Sublime Frequencies Tour will surely be a series of unbelievable experiences for the audience and those involved.
The tour is much more than just a couple of Sublime Frequencies bands playing, there is not really such a thing. Group Doueh and Omar Souleyman have been invited to come to Europe, Sublime Frequencies have been visiting the bands in their home countries and helping them prepare for the tour, and making some new recordings and documentations – which will be released in tandem with the UK tour dates. This will be the first time either band has toured in Europe or the UK and it plans to be a real occasion. Nearly the whole SF label team will come on tour with them, adding their own creative impulses and artistic work to the tour - films, DJ sets, talks, special and limited Sublime Frequencies merchandise. This is a street level, artist run enterprise and that is how it will be presented.
GROUP DOUEH
Group Doueh are led by the enigmatic guitar hero Bamaar Salmou, who is known simply as 'Doueh' (pronounced: 'Doo-way'). They are from Dakhla, in the Western Sahara. The group's sound is unlike anything that you've ever heard before. It is a sound that is rooted in the traditional foundations of Sahrawi/Hassania music, but one that is also entirely its own. It shares its roots with the neighbouring styles of Mauritanian music, however Group Doueh have managed to transcend the classical limitations of that music with a fiery, independent, and avant approach that incorporates a distinctly pop and rock element that is anomalous in the region. This is a sound that can only come from the land that inspired it. This is the sound of the Sahara desert. It is a searing, meditative, and hypnotic modal sandstorm of note clusters that has been cathartic to anyone who has heard it.
Group Doueh have been playing together for over 20 years. The band consists of their leader, Doueh on guitar and tinidit, his wife Halima on vocals and tbal, their son Jamal on organ, and longtime friend Bashiri also on vocals. They had declined several offers from Moroccan, French and Spanish recording labels to release their music. It was not until Sublime Frequencies, after a long search for the music landed them at the man's house in Dakhla, that Doueh agreed to have his music released for the very first time.
OMAR SOULEYMAN
Omar Souleyman is a musical legend from Syria. For the past 15 years, he and his group have emerged as a staple of folk-pop throughout the country, having issued more than five-hundred studio and live-recorded cassette albums which are easily spotted in the shops of any Syrian city.
Hailing from the rural North-eastern city of Ras Al Ain, Souleyman began his musical career in 1994 with a small group of local collaborators that have been with him from the start. The group tirelessly performs concerts throughout Syria and has accepted invitations to perform abroad in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Lebanon.
The myriad musical traditions of the region are evident in their music, which reflect the sounds of Syria, Iraq, Turkey and the sizeable Kurdish population. The moods swing from coarse and urgent to dirgy and contemplative in the rugged anthems that comprise Souleyman's repertoire. Expect the ultimate party music. Omar's superb and varied vocal stylings feature over high-octane Syrian "Dabke" (the regional folkloric dance music) and a host of other styles. Frantic Arabic keyboard solos provided by the incredible Rizan Sa'id intertwine with reeds, stringed instruments and percussion. Mahmoud Harbi, a long-time collaborator and he man responsible for much of the poetry sung by Souleyman accompanies Omar for an unforgettable onstage collaboration as they perform the Ataba, a traditional form of folk poetry, where Omar's unaccompanied freestyle "mawal" singing stands in a league of its own.
This is a rare opportunity to glimpse into Syrian street-level folk-pop – a phenomenon seldom heard in the West in this form, and rarely, if ever, included on the import agenda of worldwide academic musical committees. Experience the genuine sounds of Syria and the Middle East without the condescending polish and shine of much exported "world beat".
Omar Souleyman - "Leh Jani"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgRUHIeaKOk
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES DJ SETS
One of a kind DJ set presentations featuring primarily retro 1960's and 1970's Hybrid-Pop Rock Folk Beat Yeh-Yeh Go-Go Freak Beat Psychedelic Surf and many indigenous styles from North Africa, The Middle East, South and Southeast Asia. All of the material played at these DJ sets will be unreleased archival music collected by the DJs themselves. So sit back, listen, dance, do as you will and let them saw your head off with the best music you've almost assuredly NEVER heard before! (DJs: Mark Gergis & Alan Bishop)
SUBLIME FREQUENCIES FILMS & TALKS
This tour will feature screenings of film projects by Sublime Frequencies from their vast archive of visceral and immediate folk cinema shot on location in North Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia. The SF label has released 8 and counting DVDs and several more films are currently in production. Film lengths generally range between 50 and 85 minutes. SF are currently filming new footage of the bands on this tour and plan to premier Hisham Mayet's new film 'Palace Of The Winds'. 'Palace of the Winds' explores a culture that is cloaked in mystery and mired in struggle: the Saharawis from the dry, tea-fuelled and wind swept Mauritanian Sahara. Journey through music from the northern fringes of the Western Sahara to the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott--an intoxicating tapestry of sight and sound from some of this obscure region's most legendary musicians. (The filmmaker, Hisham Mayet will be in attendance)
Alongside the films Sublime Frequencies will be talking about their work and artistic practises as
well as taking questions.
'Palace Of The Winds' trailer:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyStrt0f5cQ
