Mashrou' Leila • Fasateen

I recently learned about a band from Beirut, Lebanon, Mashrou' Leila. JD Doyle posted about the band on Facebook. Mashrou' Leila includes Hamed Sinno, Haig Papazian, Omaya Malaeb, Andre Chedid, Carl Gerges, Firas Abu-Fakhr, and Ibrahim Badr. I was intrigued by an story about the band, mentioning lead singer Sinno is an out and proud gay man, a fact that has not seemed to keep the band from being one of the hottest and most popular bands in Lebanon. The band is known for their satyric songs, taking on the status quo. One of my favorite songs of their is "Fasateen", translated as "Dresses". The song speaks to relationships, and takes a look at marriage in the modern day. Here are the translated lyrics.

Remember when you told me

That you would marry me

Without money or a house

Remember when you loved me

Even though I wasn't of your religion

Remember how we were

Remember when your mother

Caught me sleeping in your bed

And told me to forget about you

So we agreed to stay like that

Without roles or talks

Without neckties or morning chats

Without millions

Without dresses

You took my hand and promised me a revolution

How could you forget, how could you forget me?

You combed my hair

And sent me off

Comb me the way you comb yourself

Remember when you told me that you intend to leave me

Without money or a house

In the music video, the band takes on many of the tradition images associated with marriage. From cakes, to flowers, to gowns, and even the marital bed, Mashrou' Leila takes a look at them all. Check out the video for "Fasateen", found on the eponymous 2009 album.

The band addresses the norms of their Middle Eastern society, from the perspective of the young, college age adults. They see their lives differently than their parents did. As they have grown up with an eye on the entire world, what with the internet and television so readily available, they examine the more conservative views and practices, looking for a way to be more inclusive, more accepting of all people. In the music, you can most certainly hear traditional influences, but also Western influences as well. I think that can be seen in the song "Shim El Yasmine", also off the 2009 album. The music combines the classic Middle Eastern sound with influences of Soul and Jazz. The lyrics, using rich imagery, captures the emotions and sensual feelings of love. The translated lyrics are here.

Smell the jasmine

Taste the molasses

Remember, remember, remember to mention me

Brother, just don’t forget me

My lover, my prize

I would have liked to keep you beside me

Introduce you to my parents, have you crown my heart

Cook your food, clean your house

Pamper your children, be your housewife

But you’re in your house, and I’m in another

I wish you never left

This jasmine

Forgets me

The jasmine

And smell the jasmine

And remember to forget me

Singer Hamed Sinno performed the song with the Erik Truffaz Quartet, offering a beautiful and dreamy quality to a song that is already one of my very favorites. It is evocative, offering a gentle sexy quality as he speaks of gay love. It is every bit as intoxicating when performed with the rest of Mashrou' Leila.

For more about Mashrou' Leila, visit their official website. They can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. You can find their first album, 'Mashrou3 Leila', on iTunes and Amazon. You can find their recently released EP, 'El Hal Romancy', on iTunes and Amazon. And I have to say, I would love to get the chance to interview Hamed Sinno. The tone of his voice is so rich, and the music so deep. I am so glad JD Doyle introduced me to them!