Overview

Karkhana’s lineup features artists from Beirut, Cairo and Istanbul whose individual projects echo a shared interest in sonic exploration. Guided by free jazz, tarab and psychedelic rock, the band ventures out from traditional Middle Eastern structures to meet in highly improvised dialogue. Using regionally rooted vocabulary and diverse instrumentation, Karkhana crafts a new musical language with vibrant chatter, dizzying swells and occasional jeers. The group consists of Umut Çağlar, Tony Elieh, Mazen Kerbaj, Maurice Louca, Sharif Sehnaoui, Sam Shalabi and Michael Zerang.