“Future Oud Master.” Omar Sirri, Amman, Jordan, 4 January 2017.
“The first music I ever listened to was on tape cassette. Somewhere I still have the tapes I stole from my brother -- Cooleyhighharmony and Arrested Development's Mr. Wendal. There is something evocative in the sound of a tape that brings back to me the time and space and familial relations of those listening experiences."
It All Started When...
I first met Omar back in 2004 when we were both undergrads at UBC working for the student union, the Alma Mater Society. Omar was simultaneously cool, worldly, and extremely kind, caring deeply about social justice issues, with an international focus, and had so much incredible musical knowledge. So we bonded naturally.
What's your passion/hustle/profession?
I’m somehow still a student, working towards a PhD in political science at the University of Toronto. I consider myself more a student of political anthropology, which just means I like talking to people about how they live, and what that means for the political aspects of life -- which is really almost everything. Including music, of course. My area of focus these days is Iraq, so the past few months I’ve been between Iraq and Jordan for research. This is partly why I’m so absurdly late in responding to your questions! Forgive me, B.*
What kind of music helps you focus at work?
When I need to write, I turn to familiar tunes that keep me motivated and productive. The past while I’ve been into tracks by Bonobo; his new track "Break Apart" I think is great. When I’m catching up on email it can be so many different folks, but I was recently introduced to Floating Points and went to his show in Toronto in the spring. It was fantastic. And when I'm reading I usually go with albums that consist largely of instrumentals. Two of my favourites are respectively the soundtrack from The Insider (one of my favourite films), and the soundtrack that came from the Ashes and Snow exhibit/film by Gregory Colbert. Coincidentally some artists/composers appear on both. At various points they're calming, penetrating, and profound -- some of the sensations I feel from good books, academic and not.
When you’re winding down?
For a long time now I've been meaning to learn how to play the oud (the Arabic lute). Some of my favourite Arabic music comes from those who play it brilliantly. The Iraqi Assyrian musician Munir Bashir was "the King" of the oud. His Art of the Oud album is beautiful; and he and his son Omar have a duet album that is equally so. Hopefully one day I can pick up the instrument and actually know what to do with it.
Oh, and basically anything by The National. Though I love all of High Violet.
Working out?
I used to go running with an iPod Shuffle and it had all kinds of stuff on it. But a while back it stopped working. Around the same time I started my PhD and the whole 'limited funds' situation smacked me in the face; I still haven't gotten around to buying a new one. Sometimes I use that as an excuse not to run; and sometimes I use my minimal workout regimen to not buy a new iPod. It's all a rather dubious exercise as you can see, no pun intended.
Cooking?
Cooking can often stress me out. And so I need to feel as good as possible in the process. The one album I rely on to do that is a Sam Cooke compilation, Portrait of a Legend: 1951-1964. His music has been so integral to my contentment at so many different times and in so many different places in my life. For a few weeks in summer 2012 I was in Baghdad. My cousin and I were driving somewhere. His car at the time had no air conditioning; somewhere around 45 degrees celsius, the heat was choking us. I put on "Sugar Dumpling" and started singing, and then began trying to translate the lyrics into Arabic in real time. We couldn't stop laughing -- for different reasons I think. Sam Cooke, man; Sam Cooke.
Kickin’ it with friends?
As I play Sam in more places and for more people -- that album is never removed from my phone -- I get increasingly surprised by friends who've never heard him. Or they have but they can't place the track; they don't know "Chain Gang" or "A Change is Gonna Come" is him. For me, he's at all gatherings...Sam Cooke, man; Sam Cooke.
That said, I owe deep gratitude for my friend Housam, who had a radio show on CIUT 89.5, in Toronto. This young cat is brilliant and has taught me more about music in the last couple of years than probably anyone else I know. The show is no longer as he graduated from university last spring; but the archived shows are still available on Mixcloud here. Everyone should check them out as the music is amazing, his dexterity is stunning, and his political thoughtfulness is motivating. He kindly invited me on for a playful show we did around Valentine's Day last year. It was his first call-in show, where people called in for unqualified love advice. And the musical theme centred around J-Dilla; that week was the ten-year anniversary of his death. So basically, when you ask me about friends and music, I think of Housam.
What’s your most memorable musical moment? This could be a live show or festival that really stuck with you, meeting a music icon, etc.
It was 17 April 2012. I was living in London. The day before I had completed my final term paper for my Master's degree. I was on some kind of high after back-to-back deadlines. I didn't know what to do with myself and was walking aimlessly. I popped my head into the Junior Common Room at SOAS to see if I knew anyone there -- no familiar faces. As I turned to leave, there she was. Nneka. Or at least her photo. It was a poster advertising her show the very next day. I'd come to love her music in the past couple of years and staring at me was the chance to see her live, and in London. But there was one small problem, I had plans to catch up with a friend the night of her show. So I did the only reasonable thing somebody who wanted to go to a show alone would do: I flaked on them. Hard. Then I bought my ticket online and the next night watched Nneka rock Scala venue. It was all glorious - the timing of the show; how, when, and where I learned about it; and of course the performance (this in particular).
The next day I went back to school and gently pulled a poster off the wall. It hung in my room in Toronto until I moved out of my place last spring. My sister stores it for me now, and knows not to toss it out.
Favourite love song? Slow jam? Between the sheets track?
I love this question. There are so many. Some, I'm proud to say, are R&B hits from people like Whitney and 112 and New Edition (yes, them) -- largely for nostalgic reasons. Which for me is so important when it comes to my love of specific genres and artists.
But, last summer a friend introduced me to a track called "Batwanis Beek" ("I Cherish You") by Warda (which means rose). Warda was an Algerian singer who was a musical star across the Arab world. The almost 15-minute track has often been on repeat the past few months as I've tried to listen carefully to the lyrics, read translations of the specific dialect, and just appreciate the rhythm and vocals. (The translation here is only partial, as it doesn't have the third part of the track and annoyingly nowhere else does either.)
You need to hype up the crowd at a house party real quick. What do you put on next?
One way to do this is certainly going established -- something familiar and that is loved. I think folks like HOVA or Gaga totally do this. And if you've got Beyhivers in the house then you know what you've gotta do. And if you wanna go old school then hit him hard with DJ Kool or Mark Morrison or Warren G et al, or basically anything by the Fugees -- all of it literally more than 20 years ago.
But I actually think a slower build up can be lots of fun too. Instead of real quick, create the vibe and let it seep into the seams and grooves of the party. Where the partygoers can ultimately end up trusting the MC in whatever they're doing. So, give me something fresh, against the grain even. LAL is that for me. This Toronto duo's music makes you wanna listen and dance. And their support for social justice causes through their music is inspiring. I recently bought their new album "Find Safety" on Bandcamp. It's fantastic. And they sent a thoughtful thank you email to me for supporting their art and labour. They can hype as good as anyone.
Okay but if the party is like predominantly Arab diaspora, then it's definitely Narcy.
Shoutout to Narcy! That guy is just the best. Had the pleasure of meeting him a few times during my years in Montréal.
If you were stranded on a desert island with only one album, which would it be?
Dude. Sam.
Best format? Cassette tape, CD, iPod, Vinyl, etc.
The first music I ever listened to was on tape cassette. Somewhere I still have the tapes I stole from my brother -- Cooleyhighharmony and Arrested Development's Mr. Wendal. There is something evocative in the sound of a tape that brings back to me the time and space and familial relations of those listening experiences.
But I really appreciate the whole storytelling aspect of the music video. MJ is the classic reference here. This of course is not always entertaining. But I like how the artist is visualising something during their music -- or at least wants the listener to view a narrative alongside listening to one. This mashing of sight and sound can at times be even more intense and evocative. I think Adele and her people did this super well with "Hello."
I do have to say though, a few years ago I heard Sam Cooke on a record player for the first time (thanks to Jess and Alan). Man, that was especially beautiful.
What’s the most prized album/mixtape/musical memento you own? Your home is on fire and this is the only thing you can grab before it all burns down. (Sorry, that one’s grim.)
This one stumps me. Which makes me think I don't have something that meets the aim of the question. So let me tell you what I want the answer to be: I want it to be an oud. One that I purchase from Baghdad. I hope to treat myself to one in the coming weeks. When I do I'll send you a photo. There are some really beautiful ones I've seen and I hope I can snap one up. Certainly before any new iPod. Because, you know, I don't work out enough to justify spending the money...
Dinner with any artist, dead or alive. They're paying. Whom do you choose?
Om Kalthoum (1898-1975) was and still is a global music icon. The Egyptian's music is required listening for any music fan of eclectic taste. Her back up orchestras too are amazing to hear. One of her classics is "Enta Omry" ("You're my life"), which runs about an hour. Hear the crowd go wild at around 36:30.
Having dinner with her means asking her about politics. After the defeat of Arab armies in 1967, she went on tour for four years to raise money to rebuild the Egyptian military. And after the Egyptian president, pan-Arabist, and third world leader Gamal Abdel Nasser died, she vowed never to perform for another Egyptian president again. Her own death was a national event, bringing out to the streets more than 4 million people (more than Nasser's).
Most importantly, I'd bring my parents with me to dinner. And there's no way she's getting the bill -- but that goes without saying.
Omar and his beautiful mama.
What's your go-to karaoke jam?
I was a student council kid in high school. In my final year I helped to organise a big event that featured karaoke. To encourage younger, shy students to join in, I took the stage myself. I had no idea what I was going to sing. I flipped through the book and there it was: Usher's "Nice 'n Slow". I felt like I had that one on lock and so went with it. I began to get into it a little bit -- something about hands in places I hadn't seen -- only to discover just at that moment that the school's principal and vice-principals had taken up position at the back of the room to observe the spectacle. I saw them and -- I'm ashamed to say it -- I balked. I remember muttering something on the mic about not being able "to say that publicly" as the administrators giggled, howled, and then hollered out of view of the rather confused and disappointed crowd.
Ever since I've wanted a second chance at that track. It hasn't come; not yet at least. Not yet.
*And thank you for asking me to do this. How great to think about and through different influences, recall memories, and motivate myself to find new music and learn more about artists' history and creativity.
Merçi, Omar!
Music -- cultural production generally -- can be a hugely influential medium to shift political conscience on protracted social injustices. More and more artists are beginning to understand the transnational political connections between injustice at home and abroad -- and the importance of creating new solidarities across geographies. For example, increasing numbers of people are understanding the political-economic links between anti-Black violence in the US; land dispossession of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island; and the persistent plight and oppression of Palestinians in historic Palestine by the Israeli state. One common denominator is state/state-sanctioned violence and stubborn colonial practices, and the financial mechanisms and incentives that underpin them.
To learn more about these injustices and the solidarities being formed to combat them, watch this video; visit the respective websites of Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), and the Movement for Black Lives (specifically calls to combat the prison-industrial complex, and for international solidarity with Palestinians); and learn about and how to support Indigenous land struggles, such as the battle against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).
“Future Oud Master” Track Listing
- Narcy. "PHATWA."
- Frank Ocean. "Crack Rock."
- Buena Vista Social Club. "Candela."
- The National. "Terrible Love."
- Sam Cooke. "Bring It On Home To Me."
- Bon Iver. "Holocene."
- J Dilla. "So Far To Go." The Shining, , .
- Nneka. "Do You Love Me Now."
- Fugees. "Ready Or Not." The Score, , 1999.
- Arrested Development. "Mr Wendal."
- Boyz II Men. "Please Don't Go." Cooleyhighharmony, Motown Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc., 1991.
- Usher. "Nice & Slow." My Way, , .
- LAL. "Red Room." LAL, , 2012.