Interview by Parisa Eshrati

For Tunisian rapper Medusa TN, making music is more than just an artform, but a responsibility. In order for Afro-Arab women to fight against obscurantism, Medusa TN explains that her words have a duty to exist. Though she doesn't consider herself a political rapper, her poetry is shaped from the struggles and strengths of being an immigrant, an artist, a mother, and at the core of it all, a woman. In this interview, we speak with Medusa TN on the evolving Tunisian hip hop scene, and her commitment to paving the way for Muslim women to find their place in the world.

Interview by Parisa Eshrati

​“This record is my present, future, and past sounds all kind of coming into one.” Though indie singer-songwriter Shamir has seen a prolific career with dozens of releases, his new 2020 self-titled album serves as a re-introduction. After many tumultuous years battling expectations from the music industry, Shamir presents a rebirth of his identity through sonic exploration, personal expression, and reclamation of his youth. In this detailed interview, we discuss the journey of his self-evolution, aligning with Scorpio signs, and the love for his teddy bears.

Interview by Parisa Eshrati

In quarantine, London-based singer-songwriter Arlo Parks has immersed herself in introspection, working through uncomfortable yet enlightening thoughts. The outcome has provided not only an intimate atmosphere to her new music, but a hopeful outlet for listeners lingering in uncertainty. Ahead of the release of her full-length album, we spoke with Arlo Parks on balancing the structure and flow of her lyricism, making mix CDs for a crush, and much more. 

Interview by Parisa Eshrati

Emerging from the underground Afro-Arab music scene, Bab L’ Bluz are reclaiming the blues of North Africa on their debut album, Nayda! Fronted by an African-Moroccan woman in a traditionally male role, Bab L'Bluz's music nods to the revolutionary attitude of the Moroccan "Nayda" youth movement. The album is rooted in traditions of the Maghreb and ancient Gnawa music, but incorporates modern influences of rock, funk, and psychedelic fusion. In this detailed three-part interview, we spoke with vocalist and multi-instrumentalists Yousra Mansour and Brice Bottin on the evolution of the Nayda movement, the instrumental and spiritual connection to Gnawa music, as well as the various lyrical themes expressed throughout the album.

Interview by Parisa Eshrati

tētēma is the cross continent tour-de-force project featuring composer and songwriter Anthony Pateras and vocalist Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, etc.), Their recently released second LP, Necroscape, is a synthesis of musique concrète, analogue tape loop recordings, industrial noise, complex time signatures, and heavy experimental grooves. The result is a brilliant avant-garde release brimming with intricacies that create a challenging yet buoyant mood. In this interview, we caught up with Pateras to discuss the five year recording process, techniques used to create tabula rasa soundscapes, and finding optimism through experimentation.