Gathering at an underground music scene, a new group captured attention as the industry evolved: Seera, Saudi Arabia's first public all-female band, seamlessly fuse elements of Nirvana and Tool with Arabic influences to achieve worldwide recognition.
Seera, the first all-female band from Saudi Arabia to openly perform and record, has made a significant impact on the global music scene with their debut album, Al Mojallad Al Awal (Volume 1). This groundbreaking record blends traditional Middle Eastern music with psychedelic, progressive, and contemporary rock elements, creating a unique fusion that captures the band's cultural and artistic journey[1][2].
The album, which means "The First Volume" in Arabic, is a bold and modern representation of Saudi heritage, embodying a fresh and daring approach[2]. Band members Haya (guitar) and Meesh (bass) have drawn inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including Nirvana, Tool, and classic Arabic music[1].
Haya, a self-taught guitarist, has been influenced by flamenco guitarists, old Andalusian, and Arabic Spanish music. Her love for Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix is reflected in her choice of guitars, which includes a Strat, Epiphone Flying V, and Mustang[1]. Meanwhile, Meesh's fretless bass playing on the album allowed her to fully experiment with microtones, another element prevalent in Arabic music[1].
Meesh's first foray into music was through the video game Guitar Hero, while Haya was contacted by Meesh after hearing her play The Doors music online[1]. The band's music also features segments of monophonic music, a typical characteristic of Arabic music[1].
Seera aims to leave audiences feeling like they had the time of their lives and inspire younger people to learn music[1]. The band's name, which means "story" or "journey" in Arabic, reflects the thematic and musical narrative woven throughout their debut record[1][3]. The album is described as more than music; it's a journey through their identity and experience, capturing everything from the absurd to the profound[1][3].
The city's music scene in Saudi Arabia is described as "bubbling" with more room for rock music than ever before[4]. The music industry in Saudi Arabia is experiencing growth, offering new opportunities for artists[4]. Seera has drawn attention from an international audience, with shows scheduled in Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland[5].
The band's music is a testament to the evolving music scene in Saudi Arabia, where artists are pushing boundaries and exploring new creative territories[4]. Seera, with their fusion of traditional Middle Eastern music with prog and contemporary rock, is at the forefront of this movement, paving the way for future generations of Saudi musicians[1][2][3][4][5].
References: [1] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/apr/29/seera-saudi-arabias-first-all-female-band-to-perform-in-public-reveal-debut-album [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57207375 [3] https://www.npr.org/2021/04/28/990430612/seera-saudi-arabias-first-all-female-band-releases-debut-album [4] https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2021/3/17/saudi-arabia-s-rock-scene-is-bubbling-with-new-talent [5] https://www.theartsdesk.com/rock-and-pop/seera-al-mojallad-al-awal-review-saudi-arabias-first-all-female-band-embrace-their-heritage-and-their-futures
- Haya, a self-taught guitarist, own guitars like a Stratocaster, an Epiphone Flying V, and a Mustang, reflecting her love for players such as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.
- Meesh, the bassist in Seera, uses her fretless bass to experiment with microtones, a common aspect in Arabic music, and her initial encounter with music was through the video game Guitar Hero.
- Seera's guitar-driven music features segments of monophonic music, characteristic of traditional Arabic music, and the band aims to inspire young listeners to learn music,Broadening the influence of entertainment in Saudi Arabia.
- The band's captivating debut album, Al Mojallad Al Awal (Volume 1), skillfully blends traditional Middle Eastern music with progressive and contemporary rock elements, serving as a modern representation of Saudi heritage and pushing the boundaries of creativity in the city's music scene.
- Drawing international attention with shows planned in Sweden, Germany, and Switzerland, Seera, with their fusion of Arabic and rock music, is driving the movement of an expanding music industry in Saudi Arabia, paving the road for future generations of Saudi musicians.
