Alsarah & the Nubatones

Alsarah & the Nubatones (Sudan/USA)

Alsarah is a Sudanese born singer, songwriter, bandleader and a somewhat reluctant ethnomusicologist.

Alsarah & the Nubatones were born out of many dinner conversations between Alsarah and Rami El Aasser about nubian ‘songs of return’, modern migration patterns and the cultural exchanges between Sudan and Egypt. A common love for the richness of pentatonic sounds, and shared migration experiences, expanded the conversation to include armenian – american oud player Haig manoukian and french born togo raised bass player Mawuena Kodjovi.

Under the leadership of Alsarah, the brooklyn based group’s sound grew into what they have dubbed ‘East-African Retro-Pop’. Signed to Wonderwheel Recordings, their debut album ‘Silt’ was released to international acclaim in 2014 and their sophomore release ‘Manara’ topped the ‘2016 Best of Lists’.

Always trying to connect the musical dots both her full length albums with the Nubatones saw themselves reimagined and remixed by various acclaimed electronic producers in 2015’s Silt Remixed and 2017’s Manara Remixed (both via Wonderwheel Recordings). In between albums Alsarah also works with the Sudanese artist collective Refugee Club Productions on a variety of projects including the critically acclaimed documentary “Beats of the Antonov”.

Alsarah’s star quality and expressive live performances with The Nubatones, has seen the band play some of the worlds finest festivals; Glastonbury Festival, Roskilde Festival, WOMAD Festival and amassing fans including The Roots’ Questlove with their spellbinding and eclectic East African retro-pop.

Press:

“Alsarah & The Nubatones unlock African past in ‘Soukara’ video” – Spin

“Alsarah, the new star of Nubian Pop “ – The Guardian

"The music she's created in the U.S borrows the scintillating plyrythms and snaking melodies of Sudan, but she and her sharp band energize it with dashes of funk and hip hop, finding clear pathways from Nubia to New York." Chicago Reader

"Manara features original content and serves as a contemporary look at Alsarah's world now." – The Fader

"The beauty of the artists and the natural world in the perfect harmony." – Afropunk

"In contemplative ballads or springy, danceable tunes, her music was transparent." The New York Times

“The entire album is thoughtfully composed, tempos change and bridges emerge just as songs might start to sound repetitive (they don’t). Unlike a lot of ‘diaspora albums’, nothing about Silt feels gimmicky. There are some gorgeous interludes between tracks and a few worthwhile remixes tacked on at the end” – Beacon Reader

Follow online:

Global Management via Ginger Sounds

Mounir Kabbaj

E: mounir@gingersounds.com

France: +33 630 872 472