Sahra Halgan | TBD

Psych rock infused traditional songs of Somaliland crosses boundaries in an exciting showcase of cultural traditions.

Day 2 of Barzakh Festival features Sahra Halgan (Somaliland) and a second band (TBD).
Sahra Halgan (Somaliland)

Sahra Halgan presents a mix of original compositions and traditional Somali songs through distorted guitars, African percussion, and Sahra’s distinctive warbling vocals. With her unique vocal style, Sahra sings about love, gratitude, and rebuilding her nation, using poetry typical of the Somali language. Each member of the group brings their own distinctive background into the music: Krol, who has spent time in Bamako studying Malian percussions, uses his set of hand drums to drive tracks such as “Dhesha Dheshu” and “Caaqil,” while Salètes’ distorted guitars and hypnotic riffs give the record a solid rock backbone. A new addition to the group, keyboard player Graham Mushnik, injects some of that Golden Era psychedelia into the record. “We bring our own identity to the music, but I think we respect the meaning and the melodies of Somali music” says Salètes.

Listen to the music: