S03E20: Assouf - The Blues of the Desert

Radio ArtEZ

On the coldest day of 2021, musician and writer Samira Dainan went to Poppodium Duycker in Hoofddorp to meet with Ousmane Ag Mossa, the bandleader of Tamikrest. Named the new legend of Tuareg music, Ousmane speaks on what it means to write music in the solitude of the Sahara desert. In this podcast, he speaks on the power and the meaning of his music, and how each song breaths a whole life-world and history. Founded in 2006, in Kidal in Mali, Tamikrest call themselves ‘the children of Ibrahim’, after Ibrahim Ag al Habib, the founder of the leading Tuareg band Tinariwen. In spite of ongoing riots and regional conflicts, which have a gripping force on their lives since the independence of Mali, Tamikrest seeks to make music reflecting their Tamasheq poetry and culture: “A desert hosts us, a language unites us, a culture binds us.” About Samira Dainan: After finishing her degree in Law, Samira’s love for music evoked a long-term research into her Arabic, Berber and African heritage. This brought her to Morocco and the Sahara, where she played and collaborated with local musicians¬, ranging from Amazigh, Trans Sahara to North African folk. Because of its powerful sound, message and healing rhythm, countless alternative bands in Morocco and North Africa such as Tuareg bands Tinariwen and Bombino are emerging in the music scene. Yet, in the Netherlands this genre of music is still in the margins. In this talk, Samira will discuss why she wants to create a stage for North African music together with her collaborator and band-member Bas Gaakeer. Check out their music and upcoming shows: https://showcase.fm/Samirasblues

The selection of music that was featured in this episode has been carefully curated by Samira Dainan. You can listen to her selection at these links:

Tinariwen (+IO:I) - Ténéré Tàqqàl (what has become of the Ténéré):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boiiiVh52v4&ab_channel=Tinariwen

Samira's Blues - Tribute to Tamikrest // Fassous Tarhanet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFRh4e7hp9I&ab_channel=Samira%27sBlues

Tamikrest - Tapsakin - Rad Fyah Studio (on the road) Live Session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL687y5FzCc&list=RDDL687y5FzCc&start_radio=1&ab_channel=RadFyah

Tamikrest - Imanin bas zihoun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APSCPAAs6LQ&ab_channel=GlitterbeatTV

Tamikrest - Amidinin Tad Adouniya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNj5M-ckJO0

Tamikrest - As Sastnan Hidjan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeNOYg7IMEM&ab_channel=GlitterbeatTV

Tamikrest - As Sastnan Hidjan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeNOYg7IMEM&ab_channel=GlitterbeatTV

With special thanks to Ousmane Ag Mossa for the interview. Tamikrest is currently touring across 12 countries and has 3 upcoming concerts in The Netherlands:

26th May 2022, Luxor - Arnhem 27th May 2022, Podium De Vorstin - Hilversum 29th May 2022, De Effenaar - Eindhoven

More info: www.tamikrest.net