SANAM – Boundary-Defying Synthesis

SANAM blends traditional Egyptian songs and Arabic poetry with improvised rock, free jazz and noise. The Lebanese ensemble creates an intense musical ritual that emerges from Beirut's experimental music scene. The six Lebanese musicians of SANAM blend traditional Egyptian songs and Arabic poetry with improvised rock, free jazz and noise, making their music a powerful performance. A ritual in which musical styles shape 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 an abundance of influences from years of performing, solo, or as members of influential acts in Beirut's tight independent music scene. The recording of their debut album Aykathani Malakon ﻣﻼك أﯾﻘظﻧﻲ - ﺻﻧم took place during a particularly difficult period in their home country Lebanon, which continues to suffer under 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 for escape from a hallucinating state, brought about by love, but also by the mysteries of life itself'.