Abir is part of Gothrock band Madness of the Night. Their music carries strong messages and is gaining a lot of momentum in the world. So, without further ado, I'd love for you to meet the wonderful Abir.
~~~
Hello
Abir! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. It's great to see
you! Please tell us a little about yourself.
Greetings
Rach. I’m very happy to answer you and honored to be interviewed by
you.
All
I can say that I lived a very hard life, in extreme wars, abusive
relationships, very abusive father. I could say that I have been
locked many years in my room not to see my father. I’m a feminist,
songwriter, singer, painter, drummer, software programmer, DJ. I have
experienced everything in life pleasures and pain. I come from
Beirut. From a very political family. My grandfather was a minister
in the Lebanese government. My family is a very open multicultural
tolerant family. We have Christians, Muslims, Druze, Buddists and
different nationalities inside our family. It is a big family. Though
i lived in Oppressed situations in many different phases in my life.
I'm also a Bipolar and married to a Swedish man which is my partner
in life and music.
Madness
of the Night, for me, harken back to earlier bands, easily capturing
the sound and feel which has been missing for so long. Where does
your inspiration come from?
Inspiration
comes from inside. We have never been trying to sound like anyone.
Though we listen to Classicals, Opera, Gothic rock . And we simply do
it our way. For me as a singer I don’t want to sing like any
particular singer.
What
kind of message are you trying to get over?
I
would like to unite people through my music. There is a political
message, a feminist message to women, a warning to politicians not to
use people. A message of a revolution to the world. And standing for
what is right even if you are alone. Peace and Unity between all
nations on earth is what is the vision of MOTN.
Are
there any artists or bands who inspire you?
Not
Artists nor any band. Do I sound bad because i say this? (No, not bad at all! Rae) What
inspires me is the voice of nature, birds, sea, hearing bombs in
Beirut it effected me a lot. Those are voices that inspired me and
they flow inside of me all the time.
Do
you ever feel marginalized by society because of the music you make?
If so, do you feel you're able to break down these barriers?
There
are pressures. People would think why be an artist. You cannot own
money from it. Work as a politician and you would become rich and
more written about. Those opinions I heard. It makes the person
stronger. Just ignore this. In Sweden there is a word called Lagom it
means everything have to be the same, everyone should dress the same,
eat the same. Much more like a Socialist way of thinking. No one is
allowed to think outside the box!.
Madness
of the Night have recently been picked up by a manager and record
label. You've also been getting a lot of radio play. You must be
extremely proud! How does it feel?
Our
manager is Fredrik Ahlström he is a relative in our family. He have
helped us a lot in getting played. He wrote a lot of promotions,
letters and hardwork on twitter, facebook, sites even phone.
Massacre
Records is our label. And yes I’m proud. I hope it gives a reason
for other people to have the same motivation. If you believe it will
be. And nothing can stop you.
The
band, tragically, has been the focus of a few negative attacks, which
you take in your stride. It's an unfortunate side effect of another
person's success and one which needs to be dealt with. How do you
deal with people who want to bring you down? Do you have any advice
for others who are just starting out in creative industries on how to
deal with such people?
We
have been sent letters, phone calls, stalkers over the internet.
There is someone trying to stop us and he or they can never will. We
will do what is right and focus on bringing out the message of MOTN.
I presume bad or shit talk is jealousy. You only need to be original
not a copycat and believe in yourself. In general many artists are
attacked all the time by other bands, DJ's or ignorant people. The
strong person knows how to ignore shit talk and continue working.
Being
a woman in the music industry can be tough, with only a handful of
bands ever seeming to get the recognition they deserve. How do you
feel about being a woman in the music industry?
I
never view myself as a woman while singing. If I do then I know maybe
I will not be able to grow balls, grow a mustache someday and sing
like a man. Start seeding yourself from inside as a human not a
gender.
You can also wear makeup and wear bikini. You can wear a slip. What matters is being tough and don't take shit from no one. I recognize myself with a Transsexual voice I sometimes like to change the pitches of my voices from male pitch to the female pitch.
You can also wear makeup and wear bikini. You can wear a slip. What matters is being tough and don't take shit from no one. I recognize myself with a Transsexual voice I sometimes like to change the pitches of my voices from male pitch to the female pitch.
Do
you find there are certain pressures on you to do a particular thing,
or dress a particular way?
No. I usually dress what I want. In the Gothic subculture. There is Always the dark Colors. This is a shallow View. It is the music that counts not the dress. If you Wear orange or yellow but got the talent nothing will stop you. Andrew Eldritch with his famous orange shirt lol. For me personally I wear what I want.
Do
you think women are taken seriously in the music industry?
Yes
and no. It depends on the radio, label, surrounding and open mindness
of people. Submit your music to serious DJ's, serious radios and
serious labels that's my answer.
Or
are they just treated as “sex symbols”? If so, what do you think
needs to be done to break these perceptions?
We surround ourselves with assholes not all men are Jerks. Not all men are dark forces. Not all men abuse women. But we the women allow those men determine the rules. Being sexy is wonderful. If you wanna go naked do it but do it for yourself, maybe just being daring, sharing a powerful message and not pleasing a handful of men. This is what is a sex symbol is pleasing men. Please yourself. Find the power to break the rules.
You're
well known for your amazing support of minorities, in particular
women. What message would you like to give to the world? What would
you like to say to the women of the world?
Yes :Only revolution inside of you
it will liberate you
only rebellion
strengthen you
only your strength
will embrace u
raise in steel
this is how you feel
the power in yourself
will reveal you
Yes :Only revolution inside of you
it will liberate you
only rebellion
strengthen you
only your strength
will embrace u
raise in steel
this is how you feel
the power in yourself
will reveal you
Can
you pinpoint where your views came from? What keeps you going with
your support when there's so much negativity in the world?
My
views comes from Life. I lived in East and West. To understand that
this world needs tolerance, acceptance, revolution, standing against
wars and politicians, removing jealousy hate from your heart and
being happy for other people when they achieve. Negativity comes from
tragedy but through tragedy comes triumph.
Your
positivity and beautiful mental attitude is an inspiration to many.
It's something which many around the world need to learn about and
use. How do you keep yourself so positive?
I
surround myself with positive people, positive manager, label,
positive DJs, friends. Enviroment is important. When you hear bombs
on the streets all your life many cannot be positive. But in every
stone grows a flower. Grab this flower.
What
advice would you give to people who want to change their outlook and
become more positive?
No
one can stop you. Be original. Be not a copycat. Do your thing.
Enforce happiness on yourself cause everyone deserve it. Love the
ones who are jealous from you. Positivity is your only choice against
odds, wars, tragedy in life. Never submit, never quit!
Is
there anything else you'd like to say? Any messages or information we
need to know?
We
have added a member to Madness of the Night. She is a very talented
Sitar artist and theatre artist. Her name is Fatima Addberger she is
also an Indian Scandinavian (Sami).
Our
Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/madnessofthenight . MOTN
will be played on Arabic Radio but that news will be announced there
by Fredrik as soon as we know when. And our new song Stand Up is on
only on our Facebook page will not be found anywhere else. It is
dedicated to the Syrian Revolution and against dictators!.
Thank
you for taking time to interview me. I enjoy the questions. Smiles.
To
listen to Madness of the Night, go to:
You
can find them on online at:
No comments:
Post a Comment