Alsarah & the Nubatones

Alsarah is a Sudanese born singer, songwriter, bandleader and a somewhat reluctant ethnomusicologist.

Alsarah & the Nubatones were born out of many dinner conversations between Alsarah and Rami El Aasser about nubian ‘songs of return’, modern migration patterns and the cultural exchanges between Sudan and Egypt. A common love for the richness of pentatonic sounds, and shared migration experiences, expanded the conversation to include armenian – american oud player Haig manoukian and french born togo raised bass player Mawuena Kodjovi.

Under the leadership of Alsarah, the brooklyn based group’s sound grew into what they have dubbed ‘East-African Retro-Pop’. Signed to Wonderwheel Recordings, their debut album ‘Silt’ was released to international acclaim in 2014 and their sophomore release ‘Manara’ topped the ‘2016 Best of Lists’.

Always trying to connect the musical dots both her full length albums with the Nubatones saw themselves reimagined and remixed by various acclaimed electronic producers in 2015’s Silt Remixed and 2017’s Manara Remixed (both via Wonderwheel Recordings). In between albums Alsarah also works with the Sudanese artist collective Refugee Club Productions on a variety of projects including the critically acclaimed documentary “Beats of the Antonov”.

Alsarah’s star quality and expressive live performances with The Nubatones, has seen the band play some of the worlds finest festivals; Glastonbury Festival, Roskilde Festival, WOMAD Festival and amassing fans including The Roots’ Questlove with their spellbinding and eclectic East African retro-pop.