Cosmopolitan with Strong Identity
Born in Beirut amidst Lebanon’s Civil War, Yasmine Hamdan has lived a nomadic life since childhood to forge her way as a new type of female singer, songwriter, and musician from the Middle East.
An icon for Arab underground music, she is praised for her powerful voice, sensuality, and sophisticated contemporary take on traditional tunes. Her fame only grew following her memorable appearance in Jim Jarmusch’s vampire movie Only Lovers Left Alive. After receiving rapturous applause from Ukrainian audiences last April, the Paris-based diva returns to Kyiv to showcase her vocal prowess and magnetic stage persona.
What’s On talks to Yasmine Hamdan to discover the character behind the stage image.
Is it difficult to be an Arab female singer and musician in Europe?
When you sing in Arabic – no matter what you do, no matter who you are, no matter what artistic proposition you have – sometimes you have to fight against certain boxes they want to place you in. Things have changed in Europe. However, in some places people were very conservative about what they thought the Arab world was. That was difficult for me.
Do you think your pervasive sensuality contradict clichés of women in the Arab world?
From the outside, you see the Arab world as a place where everybody is the same and everybody thinks women are discriminated against. However, many people try to fight this. The Arab world constantly goes through turbulence. Maybe, I can be in the mainstream, looked at as provocative or subversive, but not because of what I wear. If you watch TV to see, or do a web-search for, any big Arab popstar, they are half-naked, almost pornographic. The way I dress is more about what I articulate in my work. It is more about content than form.
What is your favourite subject to sing about?
Civil war is so violent because your own people, your own families, kill each other. When you study psychology and analysis to learn more about all these things, you never get concrete answers. For my songs, I try to create characters who are confused and full of contradictions and mixed feelings. I like to imagine these characters as multi-layered personalities. I write about hope, love, manipulation, tenderness, even anger. My characters have a sense of their problems but maintain some humour.
What lessons did the war teach you?
I lived through many moments of war and I saw people suffering around me. I felt the absurdity of the war. I raised questions about humanity and tried to find answers as to why this should happen. That connected me with my humanity and empathy. I was very hurt by the consequences of war. However, it also ignited hope in me. I felt a sense of purpose – I did not want war in my life, I wanted to fight against it.
You come from a male-dominated region. What does it feel being a woman there?
We are all in patriarchal societies. I believe it is a general and global phenomenon. It is challenging to be a woman in many other places. Domestic violence, prostitution, sexual harassment, social and economic discrimination are still tolerated. These things happen everywhere, not only in the Middle East. Every time society faces a crisis, women’s rights are among the first things brought to the table for negotiation.
You come from a male-dominated region. What does it feel being a woman there?
We are all in patriarchal societies. I believe it is a general and global phenomenon. It is challenging to be a woman in many other places. Domestic violence, prostitution, sexual harassment, social and economic discrimination are still tolerated. These things happen everywhere, not only in the Middle East. Every time society faces a crisis, women’s rights are among the first things brought to the table for negotiation.
You performed your song Hal in Jim Jarmusch’s film Only Lovers Left Alive. How would you describe this experience?
I met Jim Jarmusch at a film festival in Marrakech. He was writing his script. He saw me perform. He really liked it and I think that night he had an idea for the scene (which took place in a tiny bar in Tangiers). I worked on a song I had to perform live. We decided it would be the only option, as I did not want to do any kind of playback. The movie was about vampires, every outdoor scene was shot at night. It was an incredible experience. We shot in the old town of Tangiers, the place was magical and a bit weird, with a primitive energy.
Do you still communicate with your family?
I see them regularly. Most of my family live in the Middle East. I have never cut ties between Lebanon and me, even if I do not have time to be there, as I travel and tour a lot. Nevertheless, you are always connected. In today’s world, you can be virtually present in many places at the same time.
Would you describe yourself as a nomad?
I belong to many places. I do not care for borders. In this sense, I can be labelled a nomad. Yet, these are labels I’m not interested in. Placing labels is reductive sometimes. My work, my music, my friends, the people I love, and the things that inspire me are where I belong.
What cuisine do you like most?
I love to eat. My partner cooks very well. I don’t have a passion for cooking. I have too much energy. My partner will tell me “you are killing the tomato instead of just slicing it”! Japanese food is my favourite.
What book is on your nightstand at home right now?
I have just ordered many books, including works by French philosopher Alain Badiou and British writer Virginia Woolf. I am also interested in books dedicated to non-violent communication. I like reading on the plane.
Do you have pets?
I love animals so much, though I cannot have them right now as I travel a lot. I am a cat person. I also love birds, camels, dogs – all animals but fish. It breaks my heart to see fish in an aquarium. I hate to see a bird in a cage. Animals need space and some freedom.
What do you have to say to WO readers?
I would love to see them at my concert! I felt touched when I came to Kyiv. I know what it is to live in a place with war and pain in the background. However, I also felt something fresh and pure, and I compliment your people.
Yasmine Hamdan (LB, indie pop)
1 December at 20.00
Sentrum (Shota Rustaveli 11)
620-1 200 UAH
