Emerging Fervour

An interview with Zeid from Soapkills, one of a duo we covered a little while ago. Zeid gives us an idea about the underground music scene in Lebanon, how the war affected him and what his perfect day out would be…intrigued?

Zeid, tell us about yourself

I was born in Ashrafieh (Lebanon) in a Hospital that’s now a music shop called Mozart Chahine.

I don’t know why music and film, no one in the family is into that scene. I guess for me, it’s because of the fantasy aspect of it, all my childhood has been about extraordinary adventures, maybe I didn’t want to get out of it.

I spent my childhood moving between Cyprus, Lebanon and Europe because of the war and a lot of my musical influence has come from France where I was exposed to a lot of western pop music.

What projects are you working on now?

I’m working on the new album of The New Government the recordings should be in Montreal in August, the release maybe beginning of 2011.

The New Government | Lebanon 2009 ∨

I’m the musical director for Danielle Arbid’s next movie where I’ll developing my own music, a mixture of arabic english and pop!

Tell us about The New Government…why was it formed and what does it stand for?

The band was born in Lebanon in November 2004 at a time of political instability. What initially came up as a 6-member band known as “The Government”, we eventually reached a configuration of 5 members (Jeremie, Nabil, Cherif, Timothee and myself) we proclaimed ourselves as “The New Government” (Since there was no official government in Lebanon at the time, so it made sense).

The New Government | Paris 2009 ∨

What happened to Soapkills? And how did you and Yasmine come to work with each other?

Soapkills is on pause for the moment, Yasmine and I are both exploring our potential as individuals, but we’re still in contact and good friends.

I met Yasmine in 1994 when she was at College Protestant in Lebanon, I fell in love with her and did everything to get her working on a project with me, our mutual passion for music helped. The combination of our personalities gave birth to Soapkills.

What is the underground music scene in Lebanon like for you?

Very vibrant – with new bands like Pop will save us, The Incompetents, Fariq el Atrash, Mashrou’ Leila, The 961 Underground, Katibe 5. These are the new comers on the underground scene and they are pretty active. Check this blog http://www.feelnotes.wordpress.com, my friend Omar el Fil reviews every good thing happening in town.

Mashrou’ Leila | Beirut 2009 ∨

Katibe 5 | Beirut 2008 ∨

The Incompetents | Beirut 2009 ∨

I think that those artist will have a great influence on the Lebanese Arts scene, most of them haven’t really been exposed correctly yet, but there is so much more… Take a look at my site, www.lebaneseunderground.com it will give you an idea of how vibrant the scene is.

And the film scene?

Check out these young emerging directors, Cyril Ariss and Mounia Akl

The wars in Lebanon affected almost every Lebanese whether you were there or not, how did this affect you?

Living in a risky area inspires us all and pushes us to live intensely , not waist a single minute , express, exist .

Do you find the instability in Lebanon difficult as an artist?

On an international level, wars and political instability feed most of the artists here in Beirut; they get exposure and bookings because Lebanon is always on the front page, so their work attracts attention.

Locally on the other hand, when u are a young artist trying to do something in Lebanon, conflicts often ruin projects, people don’t go out anymore and lose interest in the arts because all they worry about is surviving. After the 2006 war on Lebanon, my partner decided to shut down our music label Mooz records, it is then that i decided to create the platform www.lebaneseunderground.com in a way it could never disappear.

Zeid Hamdan & Hiba | Beirut 2008 ∨

What are your plans for the next 5 years?

To tour and produce music with The New Government , release my solo album, develop a new album with Kanjhakoraduo and direct music for Danielle Arbid, Rami Abdul Jabbar and a few others.

Tour the world.

We’re coming to Beirut this summer, tell us what a perfect 24 hours would be

8.00 wake up walk from the Corniche to Ramlet el Beida

9.30 stop at Grand Cafe and get a breakfast

11.00 get a bus @ Cola (intersection) and go south to Tyr

12.30 walk around the ruins of Tyr

14.00 have lunch in the port of Tyr

16.00 spend some hours on the beach

19.00 head to Beirut at sunset

21.30 then go to Barometre @ Bliss street and eat an amazing fattouch and Lebanese food listening to Soapkills and Ziad Rahbani in the background

23.00 catch a live concert in EM chill Mar Mikhael

1.00 have a drink at Demo’s bar (The New Government’s drummer’s bar) ,

2.00 then dance till dawn @ a Cotton Candy Party

5.00 and at last finish at Afran el Wataniieh on Bliss street for an early mankoucheh (Lebanese flatbread topped with a mixture of ground thyme and sesame seeds).

All images on this post have been provided by Tanya Traboulsi, a freelance photographer based in Lebanon. You can check out the rest of her portfolio at www.tanyatraboulsi.com