Interview with Zeid Hamdan at Stanford ft Rare Songs + Live Session

Listen at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/zeidhamdan

You can now listen to my interview with Zeid Hamdan--which was recorded/aired on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University) on Feb 20, 2019--below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/zeidhamdan

ABOUT THE INTERVIEW:

Stanford Lecturer + Arabology Radio Host Dr. Ramzi Salti interviews Lebanese songwriter/singer Zeid Hamdan, the music producer behind some of the most successful bands on the Lebanese and regional alternative scene. Interview also includes questions by Zalfa Rostom and Stanford student Jin Yun.

Zeid Hamdan at KZSU (Stanford University)

Stanford student Jin, Zeid Hamdan, Zalfa Rostom

Zeid Hamdan (left) with DJ Ramzi at KZSU Stanford

This interview focuses on Zeid Hamdan's musical journey and features rare song excerpts + a live session at the end in which Zeid Hamdan sings 3 acoustic songs live at KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University). 

Throughout this interview, Zeid Hamdan reminisces about his experiences with such artists and groups as Yasmine Hamdan + SoapKills (Arabic trip hop), The New Government (pop rock), Hiba Mansouri (Arabic trip hop), Kanjha Kora (Guineean Pop), Kazamada (Arabic electro pop) ft Tamer Abu Ghazaleh + Mahmoud Radaideh (Jadal) + Donia Massoud, Maryam Saleh (Arabic electro pop), Dany Baladi (Arabic electro pop), Maii Waleed, Marc Codsi, Zeid and the Wings (New Arabic pop), Marie Abou Khaled aka #Melmo, and Khaled Mouzannar (Capernaum soundtrack).

Listen at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/zeidhamdan

Zeid also discusses his arrest in July 2011 over a song deemed insulting to the Lebanese President where officials reportedly took exception to the lyrics: 'General go home'.

Zeid also discusses his collaboration with Khaled Mouzanar and Nadine Labaki on the soundtrack of the Oscar nominated Lebanese film #Capernaum.

Here are the songs/artists whose excerpts were featured during the show:

1. Balshti bosni (Abdel Wahab) by Soapkills
2. While u are rehearsing by Soapkills
3. Cheftak  by Soapkills
4. Yahoo by Soapkills
5. The New Government by The New Government
6. Ahwak (Zaki Nassif) by Hiba Mansouri
7. Andoude by Kandia Kora
8. General Suleiman by Zeid and the Wings
9. Hawel Ya Ghanam by Kazamada
10. Ayoub by Kazamada
11. Watan el Akk by Maryam Saleh + Zeid Hamdan
12. Nixon Baba (tribal mix) Maryam Saleh + Zeid Hamdan
13. Eslahat ,Maryam Saleh
14. Moga , by Maii Waleed + Zeid Hamdan
15. Ya Jarata (Nazem el Ghazali) by Dany Baladi
16. Allallah (Wadih el Safi) by Dany Baladi
17. Halawella (Ahmed Fouad Negm) by Maryam Saleh
18. Kermelak  by Marie Abou Khaled aka Melmo
19. Asfeh , Zeid and the wings
20. Embarquement Melo from Soundtrack of Roundtrip (Meyar AL Roumi)

LIVE acoustic session by Zeid Hamdan (Guitar, voice) features 3 tracks :

21. Nahr el mot , Zeid Hamdan
22. Mekdas w Abel Zeid Hamdan Zeid
23. Hkini , Zeid Hamdan

For more info on Zeid Hamdan see www.zeidhamdan.com/

Stanford University Vigil for Victims of Christchurch Terror Attack

Hundreds of Stanford University students and community members gathered Friday afternoon to mourn the 49 terror victims killed at two mosques in #Christchurch, New Zealand. 

See my pics below and read more at this link.

Read this piece from the Otago Daily Times at this link

Read "The Faces of the Victims" in The Otago Daily Times at THIS LINK

Read this Opinion Ed by Khaled Beydoun at THIS LINK.

Also read this piece in The Stanford Daily at  THIS LINK

New Graphic Novel Featuring a Jordanian-American Hero is an Indie Hit

Identity Stunt Vol. 1: The Fall Guy, starring a Jordanian-American stuntman, is now for sale in bookstores and comic shops worldwide!  The 100-page action-thriller odyssey is available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, DriveThruComics, and more! 

Writer/Creator Joe R. Khachadourian singing the praises of his latest work

"It's hard to believe we've made it to the finish line," exclaimed writer/creator Joe R. Khachadourian. "It's been quite an adventure for Sami Nasser, myself, and the creative team, and we could not be more proud of the final product! It's my wish that the joy we cultivated while creating the book is shared with those who read it.” 

“This story moves at a break-neck pace,” says artist J. Briscoe Allison, “so to have all of the issues collected in one volume is going to satisfy the 'binge watcher' in all of us! I'm really picky about which projects I work on, but as soon as I read the script, I fell in love! The depth of the characters, the witty dialogue, the insane action...I mean, there's a ten-page car chase!! Who does that?!? Buckle up, friends!”

“Taps microphone: THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL IS ABOUT A JORDANIAN-AMERICAN STUNTMAN!!! Someone option the rights and hire me to direct the screen adaptation!”
Lexi Alexander (Green Street Hooligans, Punisher: War Zone)

“Khachadourian and Allison take everyone for a fun ride with Identity Stunt, featuring snappy dialogue and solid storytelling that sets up a fun and exciting world that draws you right in.”
Jimmy Palmiotti (Harley Quinn, Daredevil, All-Star Western)

“Identity Stunt does several things right when it comes to plot and tone: it tries to pose a twist on the ‘secret identity revealed’ trope, and it also toys with having both a serious enough tone to make its villain seem actually dangerous (and deranged), as well as keeping things light and tongue in cheek where they count, to make the characters seem relatable and fun. That’s what makes it a fresh read (hence the title) in a sea of repetitive, trope-y plots and hero-types.”
Costin Becheanu, Gung-Ho Geeks

Last year, Identity Stunt crashed through the independent comic book industry, leaving a trail of excitement and praise in its wake:

Now, Markosia Enterprises is pleased to announce the release of Identity Stunt Volume 1: The Fall Guy, collecting issues #1-4 of the digital-first critical smash, plus some never-before-seen bonus material.

Jordanian-American stuntman and National Guardsman Sami Nasser is trying to simplify his complicated life -- fulfilling his work commitments, managing his best friend’s self-destructive behavior, and navigating a complicated separation from his ex-wife. Just as he’s getting a handle on things, "Sam" is publicly accused of being the alter ego of Beatdown -- his hometown's notorious and unhinged vigilante -- by the nefarious ganglord Dominus Smith, Beatdown's own arch-nemesis! Squarely in the spotlight, Sam’s caught in the crosshairs of the media, law enforcement, and a slew of sociopaths. Under threat from all sides with his face plastered globally across mainstream media, Sam must battle to reclaim his identity by circumventing the police, outsmarting augmented mercenaries, and protecting his family before things take a turn for the deadly!

Capturing the bombastic tones of '80s and '90s action films, writer Joe R. Khachadourian (Transformers: Mosaic) and artists J. Briscoe Allison (Sweet Lullaby), Ruairi Coleman (KISS/Army of Darkness), and Tone Rodriguez (Shadowhawk) bring you a relentless odyssey involving complex characters, a touch of romance, and a fistful of masked lunatics!

This is what happens when the fall guy fights back.

Identity Stunt Volume 1: The Fall Guy is available now, digitally at DriveThruComics, and in print at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and more!
Identity Stunt #1 and #2 are sold out in print, with second printings on the way. Further details can be found at the Identity Stunt Store.

#ABeatdownIsComing2019

(c) 2019 Joe R. Khachadourian

IdentityStunt.com fb.me/IdentityStunt
###

Arabology Interviews El Far3i (Tareq Abu Kwaik)

Here is my 2-part radio interview with Tareq Abu Kwaik (El Far31 الفرعي) who, with 47SOUL, will be performing at Slim's in San Francisco on March 13, 2019. Tickets at this link.

Listen to PART ONE below or at  https://soundcloud.com/arabology/elfar3i1

Listen to PART TWO below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/elfar3i2

El Far3i is a groundbreaking songwriter, percussionist and vocalist, currently based in Amman and London.  He is the Founder of an Arabic Folk and Acoustic Rap solo act (El Far3i) and Hip-Hop Mc Far3 El Madakhil.

These interviews were conducted at KZSU 90.1 FM by Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti, Host of the radio show "Arabology" which airs throughout the San Francisco bay area.  Previous episodes available at soundcloud.com/arabology

يمكنكم الآن الاستماع الى حواري الاذاعي مع طارق أبو كويك الماقب بالفرعي وهو يتحدث عن بداية رحلته في عالم الموسيقى لحين انضمامه الى فرقة السبعة وأربعين. تتكون هذه المقابلة من جزئين متوفرين عبر الرابطين التاليين:.

للاستماع الى الجزء الاول أنقر هنا

للاستماع الى الجزء الثاني أنقر هنا

47Soul in Concert in San Francisco on March 13 (Promo ft El Far3i)

Don't miss 47Soul live in concert at Slim's in San Francisco on March 13, 2019 at 8 pm PST.  For info and tickets, please go to THIS LINK.

Here is an excerpt from my forthcoming Arabology interview with 47Soul band member Tareq Abu Kwaik (El Far3i) in which he discusses the group and promotes the upcoming concert at Slim's in San Francisco (listen below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/47soulsfpromo)

47SOUL is an Electro Arabic Dabke (Shamstep) band formed in Amman Jordan in 2013.

The current lineup includes: Z the People (vocals & synths) El Far3i (darbouka, Mc/Vocals) Walaa Sbeit (percussion, Mc/vocals) El Jehaz (guitar & vocals).

For tickets to the San Francisco concert on March 13, 2019 please go to:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/47soul-slims-tickets-55540759908

Arabology Interviews Arab American Poet/Stanford Student Maya Salameh

Listen to the interview at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/mayasalameh

Recorded in February 2019 at KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University)

Stanford Lecturer + Arabology radio host Dr. Ramzi Salti interviews Arab American poet Maya Salameh, a full time student at Stanford, who recites her poem "My Other Mouth," forthcoming in The Greensboro Review.

Listen to the interview below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/mayasalameh

Read the poem below ©Maya Salameh ©The Greensboro Review

my other mouth //

if you ask me if I am fluent in Arabic / I will speak

of mispronunciation / I will tell you of the vast spaces / between

letters / I will tell you / my Arabic is words / wracked with labor

pains / village / in the pads of your feet / the roots of verbs / I conjugate

the hooked nose / the unruly hair / the holy in me /

if you ask me if I am fluent in Arabic / I will tell you / my Arabic / wonders how torture tastes on the tongue / I will tell you / I have known words like /

go & bitch & home & brown /

if you ask me I will tell you / my Arabic fell in love / with

a couple tongues / who never loved it back / my

Arabic / is a voice full of seashells / has birthed cities / men / empires / if you ask me / if I am fluent in Arabic / I will tell you about

gradations of skin color / I will say / I am more parts storm / than organs /

if you ask me I will tell you / I don’t know how to translate

purpose / from my mother tongue / but my Arabic

loves like mint / in stalks & leaves /

is a mouthful of holy water / the splintering of ships / the crucifix / on my grandfather’s wrist / if you ask me if I am fluent /

I will answer / I take my canines out

with my earrings every night / I inventory

my edible parts / I will answer / I am not a pretty girl /

if you ask me I will tell you / I am not a pretty girl /

but my Arabic is beautiful / I have caught glimpses / the rolled r’s running through

my wrists / the calligraphy of my coastline shoulders / the forgotten

syntax of my full lips / if you ask me if I am fluent

I will tell you / I am a poet / & a poet /

owes a language her tongue / hands / toes /

I will say / before its arrival / the world was prose /

if you ask me if I am fluent I will confess / my Arabic is

poetry / & in a certain quarter of the city / on such & street / I will be remembered / as the one whose stories ate her alive / whose poetry

gutted her / in slashes of five / seven / five /

I will remind you / I have always fallen in love

too easily / I will tell you / the only language I know /

is moments of misspeaking / I diplomat my teeth /

I constellation my stammer /

if you ask me if I am fluent / I will say / a language / is just

the stars / forgetting their grammar.

©Maya Salameh ©The Greensboro Review

Arabology Interviews Syrian Poet Lubna Kayyali

 Listen to the interview at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/lubnakayyali

Stanford Lecturer+ Arabology radio show host Dr. Ramzi Salti interviews Syrian Poet Lubna Kayyali who recites her poem ما زلت لا أنجح [I Still Do Not Succeed] in Arabic + English Translation.

This interview was recorded at KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford University) in November 2018.

Listen to the interview below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/lubnakayyali

For a video excerpt of Lubna Kayyali reciting her poem in Arabic, watch below or go to: https://youtu.be/gTCvVikQDKE

Here is the poem in Arabic + English Translation ©Lubna Kayyali

I have been told To reap the fruits, you must labor To prove that the earth rotates, You must subtract five from ten and become a scientist Your ethnic color will dim And you will raise up your gender I was told To reign over the language You must memorize its alphabet And chant in rhymes For only then would you attain civility Your dialect will fade And your star will shine bright I was told To understand, you must read And to succeed, you must understand So I labored, memorized, recited, read, understood But I did not succeed I dared to inquire: why? They replied: Your star is still dim So I seized a golden thunderbolt and struck my star It tilted, straightened, then shone bright In the sky of defeated stars But, still, I do not succeed So, again, I asked: why? They answered: Your dialect is Aleppian and you exude Damascene jasmine and lilies So, I stole a foreign tongue Chewed on it for hours, days, and decades But my mouth swelled and my ​Dadd* transformed to a broken, frail Ghain** But, still, I am not succeeding Perplexed, I asked: why? They answered: Your gender is feeble and contemptible It was, after all, created from a rib Doomed to live in life’s margins With bread and meat at its very core And countless children as its ultimate end So I skinned my soft flesh Replaced it with scales of steel Ripped out my perfumed hair And wore my grandfather’s ancient fez instead I plucked out my rosy nails And affixed, in their place, tyrannical claws But, still, I was not succeeding… Baffled, I asked: why? They answered: Your color remains Arabic Its shadow is Syrian And you are now in the land of Giants They hate the Arab And loathe the Syrian So I scurried to the box of crayons And painted myself in white, green, and blonde I spoke and walked my colors Until I mastered them Until I forgot the land of my ancestors Until I forgot my father’s Kufic​*** pen Until I forgot my grandmother’s Rifa’i cuisine Then they spoke to me again But to whom were they speaking? They said: you! But who am I? ... And I still do not succeed *​Dadd (الضاد     ): a letter unique to the Arabic language. ** Ghain (الغين    ): a soft-sounding letter in Arabic.   *** Kufic (كوفي    ): the oldest calligraphic form of the various Arabic scripts.

قد قیل لي  إن اجتهدتِ حصدتِ  إن طَرَحْتِ خمسة من عشرة أثَبتِ أن الأرض تدور   وغدوت عالمة  لونك یشُف وجِنْسكِ یرقى   قد قیل لي  إن حفظتِ الأبجدیة ونشدتِ القافیة تمَلَّكْتِ اللغة  وأصبحت راقیة  لهجتُكِ تبْهَت ونجمكِ یسطع  قد قیل لي   إن قرأت فهمت وإن فهمت نجحت  فاجتهدت وحفظت ونشدت وقرأت وفهمت   ولكنني لم أنجح  استقصیت: لماذا؟  أجابوني   مازال نجمك خافت  فأخذت صاعقة ذهبیة وضربت نجمي  فمال واعتدل وسطع في سماء النجوم الخاسرة  ولكنني مازلت لا أنجح  سألت: لماذا؟ أجابوني  لهجتك حلبیة وریحك تفوح یاسمین دمشقي وریحانا  فسرقت لسان أعجمي  ولكْتُهُ ساعةً ویومًا وعقودا  فتهیج فمي وتبدلت الضاد إلى غیْنْ لینة مكسورة  ولكنني مازلت لا أنجح  تعجبت: لماذا؟   أجابوني  جنسك خسیس واهن   قد خلق من ضلع مهشم  وهاهو یعیش حیاة مهمشة  محورها خبز ولحم ومآلها أطفال معددة  فسلخت جلدي الناعم  وركبت حراشف فولاذیة  واقتلعت شعري المعطر  وارتدیت طربوش جدي المعتق  ونزعت أظافري الزهریة  وثَّبتُ مخالب مُسَتِّبدة  ولكنني مازلت لا أنجح  ذهلت: لماذا؟  أجابوني  مازال لونك عربي وظله سوري  وأنت على أرض العمالقة  یكرهون العربي  ویحتقرون السوري   فهرعت إلى علبة الألوان  وتلونت بالأخضر والأبیض والأشقر   وأتقنت ألواني فنسیت أرض أجدادي  ونسیت قلم أبي الكوفي  ونسیت مطبخ جدتي الرفاعي  فكلموني  ولم أعرف من یكلمون  قالوا لي: أنت  فقلت: ومن أنا؟ ….  ومازلت لا أنجح

 ©Lubna Kayyali

Listen to the full interview below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/lubnakayyali