Playing right here, right now

Sick of looking to foreign shores in search of decent music? Bhavna Purswani explores the local scene

Music is iniversal by nature, music derives its beauty from its ability to evoke emotion. At times, after listening to international music for years, one can't help but wonder what these bands would have sounded like had they originated in Dubai.

Would there be more references to local places, regional heroes and life events more specific to our culture? Last but not least, would they stir up pride: an emotion often missing from many of our musical experiences?

Mebs Nagji
Born and brought up in Dubai, this 33-year-old is truly a homegrown talent. Nagji started playing the guitar at 16, taking his first few lessons from a good friend at school and then Miles Perry at the Dubai Music School.

Nagji then went to college in the United States where the lessons stopped and the real learning began.

There he had the chance to play with others who exposed him to new styles and genres, making him the artist he is today. A fan of blues and classic rock Nagji lists his influences as Springsteen, U2 and Buddy Guy among others.

He currently resides in Dubai and performs regularly at Dubai Lime's Open Mic Nights.

Sam Yekta/Midnight Radio
Born to Iranian parents in London, England, Yekta formed his first band, Elvira, when he was 13. He cites his inspirations as disappointments, failed dreams, people and their aspirations; his lyrics are heartfelt and moving.

His claims to fame consist of his song being allegedly used illegally in the motion picture 28 Days Later; the distribution of his track Rain with Playmusic magazine and the airing of Second Person on UK radio.

Yekta has been influenced by Placebo, A Perfect Circle, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Tori Amos and Nine Inch Nails. His music can be defined as heavy Metallica-type rock.

Currently performing with band Midnight Radio consisting of Imad Al Dahleh, Razi Hamouda and Parham Emami besides Yekta himself, Yekta is set to go places.

Yekta has lived in Dubai for four years and can be found performing random gigs around the city. Check out his music at: www.myspace.com/samyekta
Dahab

Possessing a chilled Mediterranean sound that sings to the soul, Dahab makes music that can truly be relished. Consisting of Sherif Al Maghraby, Majed El Fassi and Adham Sharkawy, Dahab started as an acoustic band in 2004.

Calling their music a fusion of rock, folk, oriental and blues, the band states their influences as Santana, Eric Clapton, and Lenny Kravitz among others.

Named after a town in the Sinai, the band lists the peninsula as their magical and sacred source of inspiration. In the four years they've been around they have been featured on Zee Arabiya, played sessions at Peanut Butter Jam and have been regulars on the DubaiLime Open Mic scene.

Dahab plans to release their first album this year. Check out their music at www.myspace.com/dahab