SANAM

The six Lebanese musicians of SANAM blend traditional Egyptian songs and Arabic poetry with improvised rock, free jazz, and noise, transforming their music into a powerful performance. A ritual in which musical styles become an exorcism of traditional Egyptian songs and Arabic poetry. SANAM was formed following an invitation to perform with Hans Joachim Irmler of the legendary German experimental group Faust at the Irtijal music festival in Beirut in 2021. The members of SANAM bring a wealth of influences from years of performances, whether solo or as part of influential acts within Beirut’s close-knit independent music scene. The recording of their debut album Aykathani Malakon ﻣﻼك أﯾﻘظﻧﻲ - ﺻﻧم took place during an exceptionally challenging period in their homeland, Lebanon, which continues to suffer from an unprecedented economic collapse and social and political unrest. As singer Sandy Chamoun notes, the poetry and lyrics on the album form "a collective call to escape from a hallucinatory state, brought about by love but also by the mysteries of life itself."