Ruby and the Vines

We continue with our mini features on the artists participating @ Sahara Nights.

Ruby and the Vines, fronted by vocalist/bassist Binisa Bonner, fuse influences as diverse as rock, jazz, afro-beat and reggae. The line-up is completed by guitarist Greg Sanders and drummer Ben Assiter, who complement Binisa's soulful, frank vocal delivery and deftly melodic bass lines with a meticulous groove. Binisa comes from a mixed English/Congolese background and grew up in multicultural Brixton, London. As a singer - with vocal training in jazz, pop and South African singing - Binisa has a distinctive approach to songwriting with compositions originating from melodic use of the bass. Ben and Greg, both also Londoners, have backgrounds in many different styles of music from funk and ska through to hip-hop, jazz and beyond. They have one album on the market, Red Storm, and are working on their next one. (Info from MySpace).

More info about Ruby and the Vines:

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rubyandthevines

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RubyandtheVines

Twitter: @rubyandthevines

Sahara Nights on Songlines!

Aziza Brahim

We're doing mini features of our wonderful artistic line-up @ Sahara Nights. And we're starting with fantastic Saharawi singer and percussionist Aziza Brahim.

Aziza Brahim © Djogo Niemeyer

Aziza is regarded one of the most talented musical voices from Western Sahara. She was born in the Saharawi refugee camps, but spent many years studying in Cuba. This influenced her music, an innovative blend of traditional Saharawi hawl, West African rhythms and Latin Jazz. Singing in Hassania, the native language of her homeland, and Spanish, Aziza has been a great ambassador for the Saharawi cause, dedicating all her singing to her people. Many of her songs are influenced by the breath-taking poetry of her grandmother, Lkhadra Mabruk. Aziza’s new album, Mabruk, which will be released in June, is an homage to her and her great labour as commentator of the 16 years of Saharawi. This is a video of single "La tierra derrama lágrimas."

Further info about Aziza:

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/azizabrahim

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aziza.brahim.official

Blog: http://aziza-brahim.blogspot.co.uk/

May 2012

PRESS RELEASE: for immediate release

Sahara Nights:

Ken Loach endorses small charity’s ambitious LONDON launch of Studio-Live, a project aiming to give forgotten Saharawi refugees a voice through music

Date: June 6, 2012, 7:00pm-10:30pm (doors open at 6:30pm)

Venue: Studio-Theatre, Roundhouse, London  Tickets: £15-25

“Studio-Live is a great idea. The music of the Saharawi’s will inspire many to take up their cause and also enjoy their performances. Good luck to the project” Ken Loach (Sandblast Patron)

On June 6, 2012, the Roundhouse Studio-Theatre will be transported to the Sahara under a canopy of authentic tent material made by Saharawi refugee women, hosting a spectacular line-up of live music and spoken word acts, supporting music-making for freedom. Featuring special guest artist Aziza Brahim from Western Sahara, the event launches Sandblast’s ambitious music empowerment project  Studio-Live. The initiative aims to engage UK-based musicians, producers, technicians, and music industry specialists in building a Saharawi music industry from scratch in the refugee camps in the Algerian desert.

Last weekend's activities

To all those who attended the Run the Sahara 2012 launch at the weekend, thank you for your interest and we hope the afternoon's events tempted you further!..

If you missed out on Saturday, here's some avenues for you to explore:

>> Further info can be found on our webpages

>> You can also visit our blog, where we share past participant's stories plus more

>> Or how about twitter! We tweet motivational running quotes, provide news & info about the race, Western Sahara and share 'tips & tricks' to help you train! Follow @RuntheSahara_SB or find us through @sandblastarts

Best wishes,
Sandblast Team.