Mohammad Syfkhan (sy/ie) + Mizgin (dk/sy)

Scroll ned for dansk beskrivelse ↓

Kurdish folk tunes are fused with a rich palette of diverse musical languages when two remarkable artists bring their heritage to new territories. Mohammad Syfkhan, now residing in Ireland, offers a trance-inducing, electrified take on Syrian folk tunes, while local singer-songwriter and saz player Mizgin presents her borderless music that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries.

KLEIN will close their summer season with this final, spectacular event in the dance pavilion, presented in collaboration with local promoter and neighbour to KLEIN, Final Descent.

Mohammad Syfkhan (sy/ie)

Mohammad Syfkhan's journey from his war-torn homeland in Syria to the vibrant heart of the Irish folk music scene is a story of how music can be a unifying force. Born amidst the chaos of conflict, Syfkhan found solace in the songs and melodies of his homeland — the haunting notes of traditional Syrian music weaving stories of resilience and hope.

In 2015, amid the Syrian civil war, Syfkhan made the difficult decision to leave his home and seek refuge far away. Landing on the shores of Ireland, a land known for its rich musical heritage, he experienced how the melancholy that characterizes Irish folk songs resonated with both his own tragic fate and the darker sides of Kurdish songs.

It was with his Oud — a traditional Middle Eastern instrument — and a setlist of traditional Middle Eastern and North African songs that he found his place in the Irish music scene, blending the intricate scales of Syrian music with the lively and driving rhythms of Ireland's traditional dance music.

Syfkhan's music is a bridge between worlds, a fusion of cultures that speaks to both the pain of displacement and the joy of new beginnings. His performances transport audiences to distant lands while grounding them in the universal language of music, creating a boundless expression that highlights how different world cultures can be rooted in a shared desire to come together in joy, dance, and ecstasy.

In addition to his musical work, Syfkhan is a refugee activist, using his music to raise awareness and support for those who, like him, have been forced to flee their homes. Through workshops, advocacy, and collaborations, he aims to help his fellow refugees find healing and strength in music.

For Mohammad Syfkhan, music is more than just notes on a sheet and electronics in a speaker — it is a connecting force, a means to build understanding across cultures, and a beacon of hope for a world in need of harmony. As he continues to captivate audiences with his enchanting performances, his journey reminds us of the transformative power of music to transcend borders and unite hearts.

“Syfkhan takes his domestic influences and fuses them with music from beyond those regions, from North African folk rhythms to Turkish psychedelia. It’s a glorious alembic not bound by borders, where Mohammad himself brings a cultivated exuberance to his playing that belies his vintage.”
- The Quietus

“His bouzouki playing, all coiling melodies, gliding shreds and emotional drive, is obviously a crucial component. So it fits that the first sounds to speak out from the grooves are the poised trills from Syfkhan’s buzuq, tempting you into the swirling uplift”
- Backseat Mafia

”No one would be left sitting to this.”
- Klof Mag
https://nyahhrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mohammad-syfkhan-i-am-kurdish

Mizgin (dk/sy)

Mizgin’s concerts are intense and unique events. From the moment she steps onto the stage, accompanied by Ahmad Mirweis Fedai (tabla, AFG), Senad Shabani (violin, KOS), Enis Ahmed (tambourah, BUL), and Anders Honoré (saxophone, DK), she initiates a dialogue with the audience. In each concert, she navigates her repertoire in new and unpredictable ways, challenging both musicians and listeners alike.

The foundation of her music is the rich and diverse Kurdish folk tradition, which merges seamlessly with the vibrant jazz experience of Anders Honoré’s saxophone and Mirweis’ rhythmic influences from the Indian subcontinent. Enis’ tambourah introduces intriguing Balkan melodic patterns, while Senad weaves swirling Roma lines into the arrangements.

The result is a virtuosic and organic interplay, creating warm and multifaceted acoustic music that uniquely reflects life in our globalized world. Mizgin’s music narrates tales of joy, excitement, togetherness, and solitude across continents and cultures, exploring themes of exile, longing, love, and joy.

While Mizgin primarily sings in her native Kurdish, she also effortlessly transitions between Arabic, Turkish, and Danish. Regardless of language, her vocals resonate with life, sensitivity, and a profound love for music that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries.

Welcome to the enchanting voice and captivating musical universe of Mizgin!

https://mizgin.bandcamp.com/album/lorin

Read more at finaldescent.org

Dansk

Mohammad Syfkhan (sy/ie)

Mohammad Syfkhan's rejse fra sit krigshærede hjemland i Syrien til den pulserende kerne af den irske folkemusikscene, er en fortælling om hvordan musik kan være en forenende kraft. Født midt i kaosset af konflikt fandt Syfkhan trøst i sit hjemlands sange og meloder - de hjemsøgende toner af traditionel syrisk musik, som væver historier om modstandskraft og håb.

I 2015, midt under den syriske borgerkrig, traf Syfkhan den vanskelige beslutning om at forlade sit hjem, og søge mod tryghed, langt hjemmefra. Da han landede på Irlands kyster, et land kendt for sin rige musikalske arv, oplevede han hvordan den sørgmodighed, som karakteriserer iriske folkesange harmonerede med både hans egen tragiske skæbne og de mørkere sider af kurdiske sange.

Det var med sin Oud - et traditionelt mellemøstligt instrument - og en setliste med traditionelle Mellemøstlige og Nordafrikanske sange, han fandt sit ståsted på den iriske musikscene, da han begyndte at forene de komplekse skalaer fra syrisk musik med den livlige og fremdrivende rytmik irlands traditionelle dansemusik.

Syfkhan's musik er en bro mellem verdener, en fusion af kulturer der taler til både smerten ved fordrivelse og glæden ved nye begyndelser. Hans optrædener transcenderer publikum til fjerne lande, samtidig med at de forankres i musikkens universelle sprog og skaber et grænseløst udtryk som belyser at forskellige verdenskulturerer kan være forankret i et fælles ønske om at mødes i glæde, dans og ekstase.

Foruden sit musikalske virke er Syfkhan flygtningeaktivist, og bruger sin musik til at skabe opmærksomhed og støtte til dem, der, ligesom ham selv, er blevet tvunget til at flygte fra deres hjem. Gennem workshops, begvågenhed og samarbejder sigter han mod at hjælpe sine medflygtninge til at finde helbredelse og styrke i musikken.

For Mohammad Syfkhan er musik mere end blot toner på et ark og elektronik i en højtaler - det er et forbindende kraftfelt, et middel til at opbygge forståelse på tværs af kulturer og et håbslys for en verden der har brug for harmoni. Mens han fortsætter med at bjergtage publikum med sine fortryllende optrædener, minder hans rejse os om musikkens transformative kraft til at transcendere grænser og forene hjerter.

“Syfkhan takes his domestic influences and fuses them with music from beyond those regions, from North African folk rhythms to Turkish psychedelia. It’s a glorious alembic not bound by borders, where Mohammad himself brings a cultivated exuberance to his playing that belies his vintage.”
- The Quietus

“His bouzouki playing, all coiling melodies, gliding shreds and emotional drive, is obviously a crucial component. So it fits that the first sounds to speak out from the grooves are the poised trills from Syfkhan’s buzuq, tempting you into the swirling uplift”
- Backseat Mafia

”No one would be left sitting to this.”
- Klof Mag

https://nyahhrecords.bandcamp.com/album/mohammad-syfkhan-i-am-kurdish

Mizgin (dk/sy)

Udgangspunktet for Mizgins musik er den rige og mangfoldige kurdiske folkemusik, som i hendes band krydser klinger med instrumentalister fra Balkan og Norden.

Den virtuose bulgarske tambourahspiller Enis Ahmed akkompagnerer allestedsnærværende og drypper stedvise solskinssoli, mens Anders Honoré på alt og sopransaxer fra sit ståsted afsøger rummet herfra og til Mesopotamien. Mirwais Fedai kompletterer det hele på tabla.

Mizgins koncerter er intense og enestående oplevelser. Fra det øjeblik hun indtager scenen, træder hun i dialog med publikum. Åben for impulser og med stort nærvær bearbejder hun sit repertoire ad nye veje ved hver koncert, hvor både musikere og publikum konstant udfordres. Resultatet er en virtuos og organisk sammenspillet, varm og mangefacetteret akustisk musik, som på sin helt egen smukke måde afspejler livet i vores globaliserede verden, fortæller om glæderne, begejstringen, fællesskabet og ensomheden ved års rejser ind i ukendte kontinenter, de overraskende fund i en fremmed kultur, udlændighed, længsel, kærlighed og glæde. Et andet tema er selvfølgelig den kurdiske identitet og det kurdiske folks mange udfordringer.

Lederen af Copenhagen Songwriter’s Festival, Brett Perkins, skrev følgende:
“In August 2012, Mizgin and her band performed at their first entirely Western festival, Copenhagen Songwriter’s Festival. The concert went down a storm with the audience, and one critic wrote: “Didn’t understand one word – and yet I did. Her voice is fairytales and longing – unbelieveable beauty and necessity. The trio, top notch playing. What a wonderful surprise, but this is what a festival can do: Present unknown names to you, that will make a lasting impression. Since the musical codes are very different, I dont follow Middle East music in general. But Mizgin is different: She is like rock n roll, communicating to everybody”.

https://mizgin.bandcamp.com/album/lorin

Læs mere på finaldescent.org