Nour Harkati Blends North African Music With Indie Rock

Summary

All Of It: Nour Harkati Blends North African Music With Indie Rock

Podcast: All Of It
Host: Alison Stewart
Episode: Nour Harkati Blends North African Music With Indie Rock
Release Date: December 31, 2024

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Introduction

In this vibrant episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves into the eclectic world of Tunisian musician Noor Harkati. As part of WNYC’s exploration of culture and its consumers, this conversation highlights Noor's latest musical endeavor, blending traditional North African sounds with the dynamic energy of New York’s indie rock scene. The episode offers listeners an intimate look into Noor's creative process, cultural influences, and the profound themes that underpin his work.

Nour Harkati's Musical Journey

Noor Harkati's journey to New York spans continents and cultures. Originally from Tunisia, Noor spent six years in Paris before relocating to Berlin, where he met his partner. Their shared passion for music led them to New York City eight years ago, a city that has since become the heartbeat of his artistic expression.

Noor Harkati (07:18):
"Love brought me here. Love of the music and love of my partner."

His relocation was driven not only by personal relationships but also by a desire to immerse himself in New York's vibrant music scene. Noor emphasizes the importance of observing and respecting the city's unique cultural landscape as he carved out his niche within it.

The Album 'Mulena': A Love Letter to New York

Noor's latest album, Mulena, serves as a heartfelt homage to New York. Spanning eight years of his experiences in the city, the album intricately weaves North African rhythms with the unmistakable groove of New York's urban soundscape. The title "Mulena" translates to "the Lord" in Arabic, reflecting the album's spiritual undertones.

Noor Harkati (10:23):
"Mulena means the closest meaning is the Lord. It's something that's humbling and makes you grounded."

Mulena is more than just a collection of songs; it is a dedication to the higher power, transcending traditional narratives of love and personal experiences. Noor's approach underscores a universal theme of seeking something greater, fostering a deeper connection with listeners.

Musical Influences and Fusion

A standout feature of Noor's music is his masterful fusion of traditional and modern elements. He incorporates ancient North African instruments such as the Gambri and Bendir alongside contemporary tools like electronic drum machines, guitars, and bass—elements he refers to as the “core of New York sound.”

Noor Harkati (11:26):
"This album is a fusion between the North African sounds and the New York street noise."

The Gambri, an ancient instrument originating from Africa and traversing regions to Mali, Timbuktu, and eventually Tunisia, brings an authentic traditional vibe to his music. The Bendir, a percussive Tunisian frame drum, adds rhythmic complexity, while modern instruments infuse the tracks with a vibrant, urban energy.

Noor Harkati (12:17):
"I want my music to be equally mixed, not hidden behind Western music or vice versa."

This seamless blend ensures that Noor's music is both rooted in tradition and resonant with contemporary audiences, creating a unique soundscape that honors his heritage while embracing the modernity of New York.

Themes of Spirituality and Higher Power

Central to Mulena is the exploration of spirituality and the acknowledgment of a higher power. Noor channels his reverence for the divine through repetitive musical patterns designed to induce a trance-like state, fostering introspection and connection.

Noor Harkati (06:12):
"This whole album is a dedication to the higher power... it's humbling and makes you grounded."

By dedicating an entire album to these themes, Noor invites listeners to contemplate their own spiritual journeys and the forces that guide them. This focus on the metaphysical distinguishes his work, offering depth and resonance beyond the auditory experience.

Performance Highlights

Throughout the episode, Noor performs excerpts from his album, providing listeners with a direct experience of his musical style and thematic focus.

• Rahman (00:27): The intro track, described as "very important," sets the spiritual tone of the album. Noor explains its significance in grounding him and dedicating his work to a higher power.

  Noor Harkati (06:12):
  "Rahman... this song has a special place in my heart."

• CD (13:17): An Afrobeat-infused song exploring the challenges of life in New York, including loneliness and homesickness, yet ultimately conveying a message of perseverance and hope.

Through these performances, Noor showcases his ability to convey complex emotions and cultural narratives, making his music both evocative and relatable.

Conclusion

Alison Stewart's engaging conversation with Noor Harkati offers a comprehensive look into the artist’s fusion of North African traditions with New York’s indie rock spirit. By dedicating his album Mulena to themes of spirituality and cultural synthesis, Noor not only pays tribute to his roots but also connects deeply with the diverse, ever-evolving fabric of New York City. This episode of All Of It is a testament to the power of music as a bridge between cultures, evoking both personal and universal experiences.

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For those intrigued by Noor Harkati's journey and musical fusion, All Of It provides an inspiring exploration of how cultural heritage and modern influences can harmoniously coexist to create something truly unique.

Transcript

[Listener Support Announcer]

Listener support, WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it. I'm Alison Stewart. Happy New Year's Eve. And as we prepare to celebrate the end of one year and the start of another, we are leaning into the phrase eat, drink and be merry with conversations about food, drink and music. So now let's get into our next conversation with Tunisian musician Noor Harkati. His music blends some traditional elements from North African musical traditions, along with guitar, the bass, and the electronic drum machine that he calls the core of New York sound. Let's get into it. Tunisian singer songwriter Noor Harkati calls his latest album his Love Letter to New York. It's an album that draws from eight years of living in the city and combines the sounds of North African rhythms with a New York groove. The album is titled Mulena. They're with me now in WNYC's Studio 5. Noor, welcome to all of it.

[Noor Harkati]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks for having us.

[Alison Stewart]

You're gonna kick us off with a song. Oh, hello. In the drum room. Hi, how you doing? Surprise, surprise. What are you gonna play?

[Noor Harkati]

We're gonna play the intro of the album, which is called Rahman, and it's very, very important song. So I wanted to introduce that to you guys first.

[Alison Stewart]

Okay, let's go. Sa. That was Noor Harkati. That was beautiful.

[Noor Harkati]

First of all, thank you. Thank you so much.

[Alison Stewart]

You said that was very.

[Interviewer]

It's a very important song for people to hear. It's the first song on the album. Why did you. What was very important about it?

[Noor Harkati]

I think. I mean, it's probably important for me, but I think this song is repeating. And by the way, this whole music is about repetition and to get into that trance state in a way. So I think Rahman in Arabic means the gracious. And this whole album is a dedication to the higher power. You know, we're all taught. We always talk about our experiences in songs and love stories and real life experiences, but this time I just decided to dedicate a whole album about just the higher power, you know, and we never talk about and stop a little bit to be grounded a little bit more and humble and talk more about what's above me, what's above my power. That's very humbling, I think. And this is one of the first songs that I started the album with, so has a special place in my heart.

[Interviewer]

You've lived in New York for eight years, right?

[Noor Harkati]

Yes, I sure did.

[Interviewer]

What brought you here?

[Noor Harkati]

Well, love brought me here.

[Interviewer]

They're laughing.

[Noor Harkati]

Yeah, I think love of the music and love of my partner also. It's a combination. I've always. I was living in Paris for six years, and then I lived in Berlin, and I met my partner in Berlin, and we got married and we moved to New York. So that's how it started.

[Interviewer]

When you thought about putting this record together is. Does New York play a part in it? Does it play a part in your. I heard you say, your higher power.

[Noor Harkati]

Yes, absolutely. I mean, New York plays a big role in terms of the sounds. When I. When I first moved here, I started to try and be in the scene, but that's not how it works. You have to observe, you have to respect. This is what I said to myself. I have to silently, impatiently observe the city, learn more about it, and see where I can. Where I can fit and be myself. Not just fit in. And also, what can I contribute? Like, what's my sauce? What's my personal thing that I'm bringing with me, which is culture difference, inspiration. And I think this album is kind of a fusion between the North African sounds and the New York street noise. Drums and bass and jazzy vibes. So I tried my best to make the perfect mix.

[Interviewer]

You grew up in Tunisia, correct? Yes.

[Noor Harkati]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

So was music a big part of your life when you were a young man?

[Noor Harkati]

Yes. My mom. I grew up in a musical family, so my mom was a singer. My dad was violin player. Violin. They both. They knew each other also. They met through music. So I. I was kind of bathed in music for. For a moment, more traditional, more Arabic music. But I. I definitely got inspired a little bit from my parents. And then. Well, my dad passed away when I was six months, so I only knew my mom. She played both roles in a way, but she always kept music accessible to us, and that's how I got into it in the first place.

[Alison Stewart]

She was okay that you decided on it professionally?

[Noor Harkati]

No, of course not. She was like, finish your studies. You know, what are you doing? And she wanted to do that. And once I. Once I knew music, there was no going back for me. You know, I said, this is it. I'm gonna fight. I'm gonna do my best. But I know that this is it for now, of course. And this is the path I want to take. And it comes with a lot of pain, a lot of challenges, but I think it's definitely worth it.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, someone just texted us. I just heard Noor perform live at Ridgewood Bar Dada on Tuesday. Great to hear him on all of it. So I guess you made the right Choice.

[Noor Harkati]

Awesome. Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest, Noor Harkati. The new album is going to be called Mulena. What does that mean for non Arabic speakers?

[Noor Harkati]

Mulena means the closest meaning is the Lord. And it's. Obviously, this is not a religious. Necessarily a religious album, but it's all symbolic. As I said earlier. It's something that's humbling and makes you a little bit grounded and take that moment to realize that there's always a higher power than you. And the yes, we can thing, of course it's good, but sometimes, yes, we can't. And there's some universe, whatever you believe in, there's always something above us that's guiding us or. I don't know. I'm not gonna speak for everybody, but this is my belief of sometimes we let go, we humble ourselves a little bit to. To get better things, to get to a better way, I think to better, you know, better path.

[Alison Stewart]

On the website.

[Interviewer]

On your website, you described it as a fusion of tradition and modernity.

[Noor Harkati]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

So what traditional elements do we hear?

[Noor Harkati]

Well, we have the Gambri here. This instrument is a very, very ancient instrument. And it started all in Africa, obviously, but traveled a little bit more north. So it went to Mali, Timbuktu, and then traveled a little bit more to Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia. And this is also an instrument that traveled to the US during those hard times. And African people brought their instruments with them. And as you can see, there's a middle string here that probably reminds you the banjo. And it's made with camel skin, olive wood and goat gut skins, not skin, I'm sorry, intestine guts.

[Interviewer]

Sure.

[Noor Harkati]

Sorry for the vegan people, but it's definitely a spiritual instrument. And we have the bendir. Khalid is playing the bendir also, which is frame, Tunisian frame drum, very percussive. And we have the New York stuff. The noise machine, the guitar, the drums, the bass. The core of New York.

[Interviewer]

So I think that's the modernity of it all.

[Noor Harkati]

Modernity. But also what represents New York to my ears. I mean, sorry, we don't have a brass, but maybe for the next album. I think we can't get it all sometimes. So that's my take on this. And I try to always make something that's equally so, not my music hidden behind Western music or vice versa. I want it to be equally mixed. And that's what I did on the album, I think.

[Interviewer]

Well, let's hear another song. What are we going to hear?

[Noor Harkati]

Yes, we're gonna play this song called cd. CD means the saint. And in this song, I'm trying to vent about how New York is tough. Everything is tough and loneliness, homesickness and everything. But it's definitely worth it. And it's definitely there's more and more to come. So it's kind of, it's kind of an Afrobeat song also. But yeah, it's a festive song.

[Interviewer]

All right, here's Noor Harkati.

[Noor Harkati]

Sadi and LG to no one. See?

[Interviewer]

Can we hear one more song?

[Noor Harkati]

Yes, obviously. Of course.

[Interviewer]

This is Noor Hakati.

[Alison Stewart]

It's.

[Noor Harkati]

Foreign.

[Alison Stewart]

That was my conversation with Noor Hakati. His new album is called Mulena. In her new cookbook, Priya's Kitchen Adventures, New York Times food journalist Priya Krishna teaches children how to cook international cuisine. She shares recipes from Japan, Mexico and Greece, countries she traveled to as a child that inspired her love for cooking. That's coming up. This is all of it.

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