Nour Harkati's 'Moulena' (Live from CR5)

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It – Nour Harkati's 'Mulena' (Live from CR5)

Episode Release Date: December 6, 2024
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Nour Harkati

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Introduction

In this episode of All Of It from WNYC, host Alison Stewart welcomes Tunisian singer-songwriter Nour Harkati to discuss his forthcoming album, "Mulena." The conversation delves into the album's inspiration, cultural fusion, musical elements, and the personal journey that led Nour to create a work he describes as a love letter to New York City.

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Album Overview: "Mulena"

Nour Harkati introduces "Mulena" as a deeply personal project that serves as a dedication to a higher power and a celebration of his eight-year residence in New York City. He emphasizes the album's focus on spirituality rather than traditional love stories or personal experiences.

[09:55] Nour 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... It's something that's humbling and makes you a little bit grounded."

Nour explains that the album seeks to ground listeners by acknowledging a higher power, fostering humility, and encouraging a deeper connection beyond the self.

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Cultural Fusion: North African Rhythms Meets New York Groove

"Mulena" embodies a fusion of North African rhythms and the vibrant sounds of New York City, blending traditional elements with contemporary urban vibes. This cultural amalgamation reflects Nour's journey as an immigrant artist navigating the diverse musical landscape of New York.

[08:20] Nour Harkati: "The noise machine, the guitar, the drums, the bass, the core of New York. So I think... it's a fusion between the North African sounds and the New York street noise."

This seamless integration highlights the dynamic interplay between Nour's Tunisian heritage and the eclectic influences of New York's music scene.

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Musical Elements: Tradition Meets Modernity

Nour meticulously incorporates traditional North African instruments alongside modern instrumentation to create a unique soundscape. Key instruments featured in "Mulena" include:

• Gambri: An ancient string instrument with roots in Africa, crafted from camel skin and goat intestines, reminiscent of the banjo.

  [11:01] Khalil Lajmi: "This instrument is a very, very ancient instrument... made with camel skin, olive wood, and goat intestines."

• Bindir: A framed Tunisian frame drum providing percussive depth.

  [12:00] Khalil Lajmi: "And we have the New York stuff... the drums, the bass, the core of New York."

These instruments are complemented by contemporary elements like electric guitars, drums, and bass, ensuring that the album resonates with both traditional and modern audiences.

[12:15] Khalil Lajmi: "But also what represents New York to my ears."

Nour strives to maintain a balanced mix where neither Western nor traditional music overshadows the other, fostering an authentic and harmonious blend.

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Live Performances: Showcasing "Rahman" and "Sidi"

During the episode, Nour and his band perform two pivotal tracks from "Mulena":

1. "Rahman" ([00:59] - [05:32]): Serving as the album's opener, "Rahman" is a spiritual piece dedicated to the graciousness of a higher power. Nour explains that repetition in the song is intended to induce a trance-like state, aligning with the album's thematic focus on spirituality.

   [07:14] Khalil Lajmi: "New York plays a big role in terms of the sounds."

   [07:58] Khalil Lajmi: "What my personal thing that I'm bringing with me, which is culture difference, inspiration."

2. "Sidi" ([12:52] - [13:05]): An Afrobeat-infused track, "Sidi" explores the challenges of life in New York, such as loneliness and homesickness, while maintaining an upbeat and festive tone.

   [13:18] Khalil Lajmi: "An Afrobeat song... it's very festive."

These performances exemplify Nour's ability to convey profound themes through engaging and rhythmic music.

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Personal Background: A Journey from Tunisia to New York

Nour shares his personal story, highlighting his Tunisian upbringing in a musically inclined family. His mother, a singer, and his late father, a violinist, played significant roles in fostering his love for music. Despite his mother's initial reservations about a professional music career, Nour pursued his passion relentlessly.

[08:27] Khalil Lajmi: "My mom was a singer. My dad was a violin player... I was kind of bathed in music."

Nour's move to New York was fueled by love for music and his partner, a journey that involved living in Paris and Berlin before settling in the city that never sleeps.

[06:58] Noor Harkati: "Love of the music and love of my partner also. It's a combination."

This diverse background informs his music, blending various cultural influences into a cohesive and compelling sound.

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Album Release Event: Celebrating at Public Records

Nour announces a special album release concert scheduled for December 11 at Public Records. This event marks the dual release of "Mulena" in both digital and physical formats, including vinyl.

[23:04] Khalil Lajmi: "She's going to be playing first... Odetta Hartman."

The concert will feature performances by other artists, such as singer-songwriter Odetta Hartman, adding to the evening's vibrant atmosphere.

[21:14] Noor Harkati: "I love when people clap from the heart... it's a whole energy that leaves your body."

Nour emphasizes the interactive and transformative experience he aims to create, encouraging genuine and heartfelt audience participation.

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Conclusion

Nour Harkati's "Mulena" stands as a testament to the power of cultural fusion and personal expression. Through his music, Nour bridges traditional North African sounds with the contemporary rhythms of New York City, creating a unique and spiritually resonant album. This episode of All Of It offers listeners an insightful glimpse into Nour's artistic vision, his dedication to authenticity, and his celebration of New York as a vibrant cultural melting pot.

For those eager to experience "Mulena," Nour's live performances on the show provide a captivating preview of the album's themes and musical prowess ahead of its official release.

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Notable Quotes:

• Nour Harkati ([09:55]): "Mulena means the closest meaning is the Lord... something that's humbling and makes you a little bit grounded."
• Khalil Lajmi ([08:20]): "The noise machine, the guitar, the drums, the bass, the core of New York."
• Nour Harkati ([12:46]): "I want to be equally mixed. And that's what I did on the album."
• Alison Stewart ([20:17]): "New York wants you to be bold."
• Nour Harkati ([21:14]): "I love when people clap from the heart... it's like a kind of a meditative thing."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and highlights from the podcast episode, providing a rich and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the full conversation.

Transcript

[Mike Carruthers]

Listener support @WNYC Studios arm.com.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it from WNYC. From the studios, I'm Alison Stewart. Thanks for spending part of your day with us. 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 the New York groove. The album is titled Mulena, and it drops on December 11, when Noor and his band will also be at Public Records for a special release show. But first, they're with me now in WNYC's Studio 5. Noor, welcome to all of it.

[Noor Harkati]

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

[Alison Stewart]

You're going to kick us off with a song. Oh, hello. In the drum room. Hi, how you doing?

[Khalil Lajmi]

Surprise.

[Alison Stewart]

A surprise. What are you going to play?

[Khalil Lajmi]

We're gonna play the intro of the.

[Noor Harkati]

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 sa.

[Josh Ugocini]

That was Noor Harkati.

[Alison Stewart]

That was beautiful.

[Noor Harkati]

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

[Alison Stewart]

You said that was very.

[Josh Ugocini]

It's a very important song for people to hear. It's the first song on the album.

[Alison Stewart]

Why did you.

[Josh Ugocini]

What was very important about it?

[Khalil Lajmi]

I think. I mean, it's probably important for me, but I think this song is repeating.

[Noor Harkati]

And by the way, this whole music is about repetition and to get into that trance state in a way. So I. 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. 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.

[Josh Ugocini]

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

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yes, I sure did.

[Leo Yakt]

What brought you here?

[Noor Harkati]

Well, love brought me here.

[Josh Ugocini]

They're laughing.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yeah, I think love of the music.

[Noor Harkati]

And love of my partner also. It's a combination. I've always. I was living in Paris for six years, 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 when you.

[Josh Ugocini]

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

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yes, absolutely. I mean, New York plays a big.

[Noor Harkati]

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 fit and be myself. Not just fit in. And also, what can I contribute? Like, what's my sauce?

[Khalil Lajmi]

What's my personal thing that I'm bringing.

[Noor Harkati]

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.

[Josh Ugocini]

You grew up in Tunisia, correct? Yes.

[Noor Harkati]

Yes.

[Josh Ugocini]

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

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yes. My mom.

[Noor Harkati]

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 was kind of bathed in.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Music for a moment.

[Noor Harkati]

More traditional, more Arabic music. But 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?

[Khalil Lajmi]

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.

[Noor Harkati]

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.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Awesome.

[Noor Harkati]

Thank you.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Thank you so much.

[Alison Stewart]

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

[Noor Harkati]

Muleina 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. It's good. But sometimes, yes, we can't. And, like, there's some universe, whatever you.

[Khalil Lajmi]

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.

[Noor Harkati]

This is my belief of sometimes we let go. We humble ourselves a little bit to get better things, to get to a better way, I think to better, you know, better path.

[Alison Stewart]

On the website.

[Josh Ugocini]

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

[Noor Harkati]

Yes.

[Josh Ugocini]

So what traditional elements do we hear?

[Khalil Lajmi]

Well, we have the Gambri here.

[Noor Harkati]

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.

[Khalil Lajmi]

And it's made with camel skin, olive.

[Noor Harkati]

Wood, and goat gut skins, not skin, I'm sorry, intestine.

[Josh Ugocini]

Okay.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Guts.

[Josh Ugocini]

Sure.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Sorry. Sorry for the vegan people, but it's definitely a spiritual instrument. And we have the bindir. Khalil is playing the binder also, which.

[Noor Harkati]

Is framed Tunisian frame drum, very percussive.

[Khalil Lajmi]

And we have the New York stuff.

[Noor Harkati]

The noise machine, the guitar, the drums, the bass, the core of New York. So I think.

[Josh Ugocini]

So that's the modernity of it all.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Modernity. But also what represents New York to my ears.

[Noor Harkati]

I mean, sorry, we don't have a brass, but maybe for the next album, I think we can get it all sometimes.

[Khalil Lajmi]

So that's my take on this.

[Noor Harkati]

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.

[Josh Ugocini]

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

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yes, we're gonna play this song called.

[Noor Harkati]

Sidi CD means the saint. And in this song, I'm trying to vent about how New York is tough.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Everything is tough, and loneliness, homesickness and everything.

[Noor Harkati]

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.

[Khalil Lajmi]

An Afrobeat song also. But yeah, it's very, it's, it's a festive song.

[Josh Ugocini]

All right, here's Noor Harkati.

[Alison Stewart]

We'll have more with Noor Harkati after a quick break. This is all.

[Mike Carruthers]

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[Alison Stewart]

You are listening to all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. I'm here in the studio with Noor Hakarti, who's performing songs from his new album Mulena. He'll celebrate the album release with a concert at public records on December 11. Will you introduce your band to us?

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yes. Thank you so much. So on my left we have on the bass, Josh Ugocini, and on the drums we have Leo Yakt.

[Alison Stewart]

He's the guy that surprised me. Yeah, sorry about that.

[Khalil Lajmi]

And on this side we have the Tunisian members. We have Khalil on the. Khalil Lajmi on the effects and bandir.

[Alison Stewart]

Very nice to meet you.

[Khalil Lajmi]

And we have on guitar here Yusuf Khayari.

[Alison Stewart]

And you are? Noor Katy.

[Khalil Lajmi]

And I am Noor Harkati.

[Alison Stewart]

So this. Oh, I like the way you say it better. So you're singing this album in Arabic?

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yes, yes. It's mostly Tunisian dialect, but I try.

[Noor Harkati]

My best to stay close to the Arabic. So most Arabic countries would probably understand, but this is the Tunisian dialect of Arabic.

[Alison Stewart]

You spent your son in English before in other albums?

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yes, I did.

[Noor Harkati]

I did when I thought I'm gonna be Justin something, Justin Bieber, when I.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Was in high school. But I, yeah, that was fun.

[Noor Harkati]

But I think it wasn't for me. I think when I moved to the U.S. i just figured that, as I said earlier, I have to bring something.

[Khalil Lajmi]

I don't have to necessarily, but New.

[Noor Harkati]

York is always based on culture difference.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Immigrants, people who come from overseas to.

[Noor Harkati]

Bring ideas, cultures and new fresh visions. And not necessarily always, oh, the immigrants are coming to take the jobs. You know, it's not always like that. There's, you know, there's other perspective to the immigration. And I'm sure the good New Yorkers know that so well. So I wanted to do this album not only in Arabic, but, like, put the North African sound in it and, you know, the singing in English thing, it was a dream of high school, you know.

[Alison Stewart]

And this is also, I think, authentic. That's who you are.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Exactly. Because New York wants you also to.

[Noor Harkati]

Be who you are.

[Khalil Lajmi]

New York wants you to be bold.

[Noor Harkati]

And kind of upfront. You know, New York doesn't want you to be a copycat necessarily, or take from it without giving it. You know, you have to feed the city.

[Alison Stewart]

Your album begins with a bird song. What bird is it?

[Noor Harkati]

Do you know which bird?

[Khalil Lajmi]

I'm sorry?

[Alison Stewart]

There's a little recording of a bird.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Oh, the first. Yes. So my partner and I, we go.

[Noor Harkati]

Upstate because her parents, they live upstate partially, and they have a lot of. Of course, it's. It's for. It's a forest.

[Khalil Lajmi]

So I recorded some stuff there like.

[Noor Harkati]

Just as a peaceful intro of the album. And there was a lot of birds around me.

[Josh Ugocini]

So you went for it.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

You'll be at public records on December.

[Josh Ugocini]

11Th when the album comes out. And on your Instagram, you wrote about it. Can't wait to clap with you.

[Noor Harkati]

Yes, Yes. I love when people clap from the heart. Not necessarily like this. You know, I want people to be like, full on, open hands. Like, really.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Because the clap, if you really think about it, we relate it most of.

[Noor Harkati]

The time to encourage people or like to say bravo on something, but it's not really like that. It's a whole energy that leaves your body. It's like a kind of a meditative thing. It could get you in a trance, if. In a good trance, obviously, if you really intentionally clap and, like, you know.

[Khalil Lajmi]

It'S like it's basically an instrument, but.

[Noor Harkati]

It'S coming from you. So. And this music requires a lot of clapping. I don't know if you noticed that.

[Khalil Lajmi]

We'Re trying to do it, but I can.

[Alison Stewart]

I love it.

[Josh Ugocini]

Yeah.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yeah.

[Josh Ugocini]

It's interesting.

[Alison Stewart]

Do you ever change your songs or.

[Josh Ugocini]

Your performance based on how the audience reacts? Or do you just like, no, this is who I am and this is the way I'm going to play it.

[Khalil Lajmi]

I used to when, of course, the.

[Noor Harkati]

Confidence was kind of low, so I always try to satisfy who's in front of me, but now it's, you see, like, what you get is what you get, what you see is what you get, so.

[Khalil Lajmi]

But not in a rude way necessarily.

[Noor Harkati]

It's Just this is what I'm offering. If you feel it or if you try to spend some time thinking about it, at least you're more than welcome. But if not, I'm sure and I'm happy if you find something that sounds better to you, you know.

[Josh Ugocini]

What's the plan at Public Records for the big show?

[Khalil Lajmi]

Yeah, so we're releasing the album there.

[Noor Harkati]

Is the first time I'm going to release records like actual vinyls. This is the first time I'm doing it. And were playing with a great artist also. Singer, songwriter.

[Khalil Lajmi]

She grew up in New York, I.

[Noor Harkati]

Think in the city. Her name is Odetta Hartman and she's going to be playing first. She released her album already last year, I think. I'm going to announce the album on the day of the Release. So it's December 11th, show and release, both digital and physical. And it's gonna be fun, I think.

[Josh Ugocini]

Can we hear one more song?

[Noor Harkati]

Yes, obviously. Of course.

[Josh Ugocini]

This is Noor Hakati. You've been listening to Noor Hekate perform songs from his new album Mulana. He'll celebrate the album's release with a concert at public records on December 11th. Thank you so much for being with us.

[Khalil Lajmi]

Thank you so much for having us.

[Noor Harkati]

That was beautiful.

[Leo Yakt]

Since WNYC's first broadcast in 1924, we've been dedicated to creating the kind of content we know the world needs. In addition to this award winning reporting, your sponsorship also supports inspiring storytelling and extraordinary music that is free and accessible to all. To get in touch and find out more, visit sponsorship.wnyc.org.