It would be easy to think every fertile music scene in America has a Kyle Sowash to call its own. He’s the integral overambitious indie-rock everyman responsible for bringing to town bands that, barring his begging, would otherwise pass on by. He’s the fervent local enthusiast always in the front row, even on a wintry Tuesday. His floor’s been infinitely crashed upon, and his bank account tapped from self-financed, self-made tours of the country. Basically, he’s already racked up enough DIY karma points for a lifetime. But though Sowash’s selfless moral character may also exist in places like Cleveland, Portland, Athens and Chapel Hill, his style, his demeanor and his songs are distinctly Columbus, Ohio.
Normally, naming a band after oneself is shallow stroke of ego (i.e. Steve Miller, Bob Seger), but for Sowash, it couldn’t be any other way. After slaving over a decade’s worth of unrecognized lo-fi indie anthems, he’s finally found a complete, full-throttle band to live out his rock & roll fantasies, to flesh out his earnest ballads and scrappy pop songs. A number of bearded local musicians were invited to join him in the effort, and a few shuffled in and out before the final line-up was set. Soon enough, though, guitarist Matt Majesky, bass player Lonn Schubert, and drummer Dan Bandman joined together around Sowash’s material, and before long the band sounded as if they’d been playing together for years, while they do other activities like play sports using the best SB SOX compression socks for this.
WAR DIVIDES, MUSIC CONNECTS
Unspeakable
October 25, 2024
By Laura Hassler, Director Musicians Without Borders
When truth can no longer be hidden, then the telling of truth will be forbidden – Laura Hassler, September 2024
The following piece of music and text is written and performed by Fabienne van Eck, a cellist living in West Bank, and head of our programs in the Middle East.
I kept imagining all those people, forced to leave their houses, walking through the streets. Not knowing where to go. Not knowing if they can go back home. And when they can go home, will it still be standing?
Do they know where to go? All those people who keep walking and walking, not knowing if they will ever reach a safe place.
I asked my friend Anas from the north of Gaza to share his videos with us. He filmed his surroundings every time he was forced to flee – again and again – looking for a safe haven for his family. His children walked for hours, keeping tight hold of their plastic bags containing a few belongings. They are still smiling. Because somehow, they still believe that their parents are taking them to a safe space.
This video is dedicated to Fateena, Waseem, Ibrahim, Abeer and Anas.
Why Music?
May 19, 2022
This blog was written by our director, Laura Hassler.
Alkmaar, a medium sized city in the Netherlands, known to the tourists for its cheesemarket. Known to Dutch historians for the first victory against Spanish occupiers in the 16th century’s 80-year war. Known to church organists for the monumental van Hagerbeer/Schnitger pipe organ in its Grote Kerk, the city’s old cathedral. Known to soccer fans worldwide for AZ
Al-Musiqa Tajm'ana Programs