Songs from the desert

Blurring the disturbing images of blast and bombs, of distress and depravation of the Middle East is a musical band from Israel spreading the ethereal illusion that music constitutes. “Music is one of the safest bridges between humans and if governments refrained from interrupting, peace would probably prevail in the world,” says the Oud player Gad Tidhar from Faran Ensemble. Gad Tidhar, Roy Smila and Rafael Ben embarked on a spiritual quest through their music almost a decade ago, back in 2009,  from the deserts of the Middle East.

The triad came together about thirteen years ago in a workshop for ethnic music where they found a connect as musicians. What followed was a constant sharing of similar musical vibes and values that eventually led to the formation of Faran Ensemble. The ensemble that supervises in instrumental spiritual music mesmerises the audience through the use of ancient instruments; Oud, Kamancheh and Percussions. The collective experience of music, Gad says, began during ceremonies and prayers. Instruments like the oud and the kamancheh continue to carry that tradition forward. “Even so, a lot depends on the musician,” Gad adds quickly. “A talented, connected guitarist can do a lot more than a disconnected oud player!”

Despite the fact that the members of the ensemble hail from different cultures, they blend beautifully in with the ‘ancient vibe’ of the Faran Ensemble sound. In the east, says Gad, music is an experience, something to be felt and not pondered over. “Our teacher said to us once, ‘First, you play music that is simple and bad. Then you follow with the complex tones, which are still bad. Later, you play complex and good and at the end, you will play simple and good.”

The Faran Ensemble recorded its first studio album, Faran, in 2012. Their spiritual quest, conveyed so beautifully through  music and sound, extols nature’s beauty as they traverse through different landscapes – from the quiet of the desert to luscious, rolling hills or the chaotic sounds of a city. The challenge, says Kamancheh player, Roy, is to ignore self doubt and continue to allow oneself to be moved by passion. “When we sit together, our musical problems are resolved by a force that is beyond the three of us,” he says.

The musicians, who are rooted to their homeland, wanted this sentiment to reflect even though the name of t heir band. That’s how they agreed on Faran, which refers to the Wadi Faran, a dry desert riverbed that fills with water during the winter, remaining dry and silent through the summer. The Faran makes its way through three countries, ignoring artificial human borders.

Faran Ensemble’s compositions are mostly influenced from the landscape that surrounds them like their piece; ‘The Rain’ which describes the magic of the desert rain.  They play for the common heart, aiming to awaken the listener’s subconscious, irrespective of where they play and where their audience is from; This, incidentally, is why their music never includes lyrics. The group followed their passion not knowing where their music will take them and have the same message to spread: to continue creating and supporting good music that touches the heart as music can heal the world. Through their music, Mediterranean landscapes will knit an entranced soundscape, a magic carpet to take the listener on a voyage to faraway lands.

What:  Backdoors 2018 
Pre-Show weekend- Faran Ensemble 
Where: The Humming Tree
When: 21st January, 
Sunday; 8 PM
Entry: '500