Főkép

On the 4th of November, Imarhan will play their first headlining concert in Budapest, at the House of Music Hungary. For those who are not yet familiar with the band, could you please say a few words about yourselves?

 

We are a Tuareg band from Tamanrasset, in southern Algeria, active since 2006.

 

You have already been to Budapest as part of the Africa Express tour, where you also performed at Müpa. Could you tell us how the band became involved in the Africa Express project?

 

Yes, it was just myself in Budapest though. It started with an Invitation to play at an AE event in the London area, in 2019. It was followed by other invitations to play live, and even recording with the whole band last summer in Mexico.

 

During a tour, you play with many musicians and encounter a wide variety of styles. Has this experience influenced the material for your next album?

 

Every time we tour we meet new people and discover new music. It definitely has an impact. For the next album, the recording sound engineer we’ve been working with for a long time stepped up as producer and brought in a new musician from France to the sessions. I’m very happy with the result!

 

In one interview, I read that you would like to invite some well-known artists to Tamanrasset to join the recording sessions for your next album. Can you share any details about that plan yet?

 

No, it is too soon to share names…

 

 

Each of your first three albums has been slightly different from the previous one. In what direction is Imarhan’s music evolving this time?

 

Going into unknown electronic territory this time round…

 

According to your plans, when can we expect the next Imarhan album to be released?

 

January 16th, 2026

 

Your most recent album (Aboogi) was recorded in your own studio, which you built in the city of Tamanrasset. Do you use it only for your own recordings, or do other local musicians also have the opportunity to record there?

 

Yes, the studio being used from time to time to record young local bands.

 

How would you explain the concept of “assouf” to someone who has never been to the desert and has never heard Imarhan’s music?

 

Assouf means nostalgia, it is the style of music we grew up with, the music Tinariwen popularised. It is the style we play but also the one we are trying to change by mixing it with new influences.

 

Is there any country, music scene, or festival where you would really like to play but haven’t had the chance to perform, yet?

 

I want to play everywhere!

 

 

I’ve watched a few live videos and noticed that the length of your songs on stage doesn’t differ much from the album versions. Have you ever thought about extending some of your favorite tracks into 8–10-minute pieces with improvisations during concerts?

 

We are interested in extending songs a bit, make it last until it becomes hypnotic, but we don’t like long “show-off” solos.

 

What can we expect from the Budapest show in November? Will it be more of a best-of set, or will you focus on one particular album?

 

We are going to play songs from our new album but older songs too, obviously! We know which ones people are waiting for…

 

Guest musicians sometimes appear at your concerts. Should we expect any such “surprise” this time as well?

 

Not this time, unless something happens spontaneously.

 

Thank you for the interview – I’m really looking forward to the concert.