Light in Babylon
| Light in Babylon | |
|---|---|
 Light in Babylon, Zürich, 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Genres | World music, Mediterranean |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Light in Babylon |
| Members | Michal Elia Kamal Julien Demarque Metehan Çiftçi Priam Arnoux Stuart Dickson |
| Website | lightinbabylon.com |
Light in Babylon is an international band that formed in 2010, consisting of singer Michal Elia Kamal (Hebrew: מיכל אליה קמל), guitarist Julien Demarque, and santurist Metehan Çiftçi. Since 2017, the band has been joined by bassist Priam Arnoux, and drummer Stuart Dickson.
History
[edit]While traveling in the Balkans, singer Michal Elia Kamal, an Israeli of Iranian heritage, met French guitarist Julien Demarque. Searching together for a santur player to join them, Michal and Julien encountered Turkish santurist Metehan Çiftçi as he was busking in Istanbul. The trio formed initially out of a casual jamming arrangement, in which each spoke different languages but found common ground in music.[1][2]
The biblical story of the Tower of Babel inspired the band's moniker, alluding to how the medium of music enabled the three members to play together despite initial difficulties in communicating.[3]
Light in Babylon played extensively on the Beyoğlu District’s Independence Avenue (İstiklal Caddesi), a thoroughfare known for music performances of diverse genres and instrumentation through which it is estimated that three million pedestrians pass each day.[3]
Musical styles and influences
[edit]The band’s style has been described as going beyond strict delineations of language and culture, and as welcoming of all audiences. Accordingly, their music is listed to across numerous intersections of identity, nationality, and religion internationally. Genres that have influenced the band’s style include Turkish music, Balkan songs, Mizrahi music, gypsy traditions, classical and pop music.[4]
Songs are sung in various languages, combining Hebrew, Turkish, Persian, and English.[5]
Discography
[edit] |
Albums
[edit]| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Istanbul (demo)
|
| 2012 | Life Sometimes Doesn't Give You Space
|
| 2016 | Yeni Dunya (Turkish for "New World")
|
| 2022 | On Our Way
|
Music Videos
[edit]| Year | Video details |
|---|---|
| 2013 | The Women of Teheran
|
| 2015 | Imagine
|
| 2017 | Ya Sahra
|
| 2018 | Kipur
|
Features
[edit]| Year | Video details |
|---|---|
| 2013 | İçimdeki Ses 8 Bölüm
|
| 2015 | Canlı Performans TEDxReset
|
| 2015 | Light in Babylon Documentary
|
| 2020 | Light in Babylon interview
|
References
[edit]- ^ "Israeli-Iranian singer unites different cultures". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ "Sounds of the Sidewalk - Light in Babylon". womex.com. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ a b "World music from Istanbul: Light in Babylon: Ambassadors of peace - Qantara.de". Qantara.de - Dialogue with the Islamic World. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ "Looking for 'Light in Babylon': from Istanbul to Europe". euronews. 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
- ^ kapernp (2017-03-16). "Die Frau mit der Löwenstimme".
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