Nadine Khouri

London indie rock music with a Lebanese soul

Beirut-born, London-based musician Nadine Khouri released her acclaimed debut album, Cuts From the Inside, in 2005. Her innovative take on folk rock music earned her a loyal following in the UK and the US, as well as in the country of her birth. Her second record, Bright Spells, will be released in October.

01/When did you leave Beirut?
I was nine years old and the civil war was getting worse. My family planned to return home one day, but ended up staying in the UK.

02/What inspired you to become a songwriter?
When I lived in Beirut my dream was to become a cartoon artist. But in London I starting listening to Elvis. I couldn’t speak much English so didn’t understand the lyrics, but that’s how my love for rock music started. My father loved the Beatles, the Stones and so on… We never had Arabic music at home, just 60s rock.

03/What influences your songwriting?
It’s not so much my childhood experiences as the constant moving around. Music was something I could rely upon, so wherever I was it seemed like the only constant in my life. At 18, I moved to Pennsylvania and it was a culture shock. To feel less disorientated I played songs in coffee shops and related to people through music.

04/Can music really make a difference in Lebanon?
Definitely. I think of people like Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley or Ani DiFranco. Music is a very strong tool because it speaks directly to people. It’s a lot more personal and human than a politician speaking.

05/How was the experience of performing your music in Lebanon?
Lots of people in Lebanon knew my record. They were excited and I could feel the energy in the crowds. It was so touching. People seemed happy that there was this girl up there performing. In the West, a girl with an acoustic guitar is a cliché. But there it was something new. www.nadinekhouri.net