Ebla
Tell us more about yourself & your music career.
My musical journey started when I was really young. Growing up in Berlin, I joined the Berlin Children’s Choir at just six years old. With my parents from Syria, Arabic classical folk music was always playing at home, shaping my taste from the start. I got into jazz and pop later, experimenting with different genres, collaborating with artists, and writing my own lyrics.
In 2011, when the war in Syria began, I decided to move to Damascus in 2013. My time there was incredible, working with groups like ‘Mawlay’ and ‘Underground Syria.’ But discovering flamenco really pushed my artistic boundaries. Its expressive, powerful style led me to study at the Flamenco school Fundación Cristina Heeren and the Music Institute of Sevilla in 2019.
I released my first single, “Aynak Bayni,” in 2021, which became the official soundtrack for the German film “ELAHA.” The movie won the New Faces Award in 2023 and was featured at the Berlinale Film Festival, the Sydney International Film Festival, and many others.
I’ve performed in Europe with the flamenco group ‘Tablao Binghi’ and with the duo ‘YaLaili’. I’m super excited now as I am releasing my EP “Mu Makani”, which I co-produced and co-mixed. I love exploring my limits and believe deeply that one can achieve anything with consistency. The EP “Mu Makani” (Arabic for “it is not my place”) is my first project embodying a limitless connection. It reflects themes such as the search for belonging, the burden on the young generation due to wars, the deconstruction of idealized beauty standards, and personal struggles for self-discovery and new beginnings. Currently, I am writing and composing for my second album, which will continue to explore these themes. I also enjoy collaborating with other artists and projects and performing live to grow as a performer.
Tell us few words about your release?
The single “Mu Makani” is inspired by the underground electronic scene in Syria. I was fortunate to be part of the beginnings of this scene in Damascus during the war. The lyrics reflect my feelings each time I entered those raves. The song was created in a single day—I arrived at the studio in Sevilla knowing I needed a strong, sassy Techno beat. I had tried recording and singing the lyrics in various ways before, but that day, I knew I needed to speak them as if having a normal conversation with my beloved in a club. We started with a simple bass line and recorded my voice over it. At one point, I forgot the lyrics and just sang, “dada dada dada dada da da,” which we loved so much that the mistake turned into magic. Working with producer David González Moreira, we developed a special relationship where music has no limits and can be very playful. My musical style combines Arabic and Flamenco influences, while David’s background is in jazz and Latin music. Together, we created a unique sound. This single is part of a full EP, which I am now releasing track by track. The EP “Mu Makani” (in Arabic: “it is not my place”) is a project consisting of 6 tracks that embody a limitless connection. It reflects various themes, such as the search for a sense of belonging, the burden on the young generation due to current wars, the deconstruction of the idealized image of women and associated beauty standards, and the personal struggle for self-discovery and new beginnings.
What is your connection with Cafe De Anatolia?
My first track that I released in collaboration with the producer Wassim Younes was with Cafe De Anatolia. So I feel like my beginning as an “official” artist on platforms was with Cafe De Anatolia, and I am excited to be part of their playlists now with this track, as their team embraced my unique blend of genres, helping to share the story behind my work. Their platform allowed me to reach a bigger and diverse audience who appreciates the Arabic blend with electronic music.
What initially sparked your passion for music, and how did you decide to pursue a career in the industry?
I grew up listening to Fairouz, Oum Kalthoum, and other great Arabic musicians. From an early age, I sang in a classical choir for seven years in Berlin, then discovered my passion for jazz and electronic music. Though I tried pursuing a safer career path, as there were no musicians in my family to look up to, by the time I turned 20, I realized I couldn’t ignore my desire to make music. Any other path felt like living as a bird in a cage when actually I was meant to fly.
Can you share a memorable moment from your music career that made a significant impact on your artistic journey?
Watching the movie “Flamenco” by Carlos Saura with my guitarist in Syria was a pivotal moment. Hearing Flamenco for the first time while living between life and death was transformative. After my guitarist and friend died, I knew I wanted to work hard to pursue my passion for music.
Title: “Mu Makani” Collaborators: Written by Ebla, produced by David González Moreira Date of release: 28th May 2024