Chapter 1 (​ا​ل​ب​ا​ب ا​ل​أ​و​ل​)

The Future is Multilingual ⚡ This is the debut work of Kuwaisiana, a full-bodied indie rock band with a world music influence.

Chapter 1 is split into an A(rabic) Side and English side. It offers 9 dynamic songs reflecting a dedication to unearthing an exciting global sound.

With songs in Arabic and English, KUWAISIANA is a New Orleans-based sextet led by Kuwaiti songwriter +Aziz. The band works to produce a raw, danceable, full-bodied sound and explore their band leader’s Arab identity by drawing comfortably on world music, alternative rock and beyond!

The cosmopolitan group blends a wide range of genres spanning ska, funk rock, Sub-Saharan blues, Khaleeji rhythm, and New Orleanian jazz. Their recent EP, Chapter 2, demonstrates a crystallization of their sound, compared to the “genre-hopping” nature of their debut album Chapter 1.

While there is a spectrum of alternative Arabic music being made today in places like Beirut and Cairo, Kuwaisiana’s sound explores new territory for the Khaleeji dialect (the culture associated with the Arabian Peninsula, which is typically more closed off and protective of its symbols). The result is a unique twist to what “Alternative Arab Rock” or a “New Orleans band” can sound like and a highly imaginative journey for listeners.

Credits
Nick Ferreirae is a tenor sax player originally from San Diego, California. He moved to New Orleans in 2013 to study jazz in the city of its birth at Tulane University. While his musical focus is primarily jazz, Kuwaisiana has allowed him to explore other styles of musical expression while incorporating his jazz knowledge. Besides music, Nick loves travel, the outdoors, beer, Star Wars, the ocean, and New Orleans. Some of his influences and favorite musicians/groups are Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Snarky Puppy, Tower of Power, BADBADNOTGOOD, Kanye West, NxWorries, Led Zeppelin, Jack White, Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Frank Ocean, Thundercat, and Flying Lotus.

Patrick Driscoll has over 16 years of experience in the world of percussive arts. He cut his teeth with Chicago bands Get up with the Get Downs, Videobug, and Dust Bunnies. Upon recently moving to the beautiful city of New Orleans, he has been privileged to play with KUWAISIANA and 2nd Chance Brass Band. He is also an educator, teaching young children the basics of brass band music as part of an after-school program for the Art Klub. His performance hijinx over the years have led him to open up for Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Youngblood Brass Band, The Diplomats of Solid Sound, and Low Cut Connie. It should be noted he is also an ardent lover of cats.

Dehan Elçin hails from Istanbul, Turkey where he was born and raised. He started his musical journey with piano when he was three years old and a few years later he started studying classical piano part-time at the Istanbul Conservatory. He picked up the trumpet in middle school and it has been his primary instrument since. During high school he became very interested in jazz and attended the Bahcesehir University certificate program. Upon graduating high school, Dehan wanted to be closer to the roots of the musical idiom he wanted to study and chose to move to New Orleans to attend Tulane University. He recently graduated from Tulane University where he had been studying under the guidance of Jesse McBride and Jim Markway. Kuwaisiana’s vision of bringing different musical idioms together excites him a lot, as he wants to connect his Middle Eastern musical roots with the music of the Big Easy. Currently, he is also a part of the Next Generation Band and EMCM Jazz Orchestra.

John “Soltrane” McCloskey on bass, Michael Stalios on keys, Luke Koeferl on accordion.