Autostrad (band)

ِAutostrad (Arabic: أوتوستراد‎) is a Jordanian indie band from Amman, Jordan, formed in 2007.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Autostrad
أوتوستراد
OriginAmman, Jordan
GenresAlternative rock, World, Reggae
Years active2007–present
Members
  • Avo Demerjian
  • Bashar Hamdan
  • Yazan Al Rousan
  • Burhan Al Ali
  • Abdulrahman Atari
  • Mohannad Shwayat
Past members
  • Hamzeh Arnaout aka El Jehaz
  • Wisam Qatawneh
  • Jamal Alhusseiny aka JTK

Members

Autostrad's original lineup consisted of

  • Avo Demerjian - bass guitar and vocals
  • Bashar Hamdan - saxophone and keyboard
  • Hamzeh Arnaout - guitar and vocals
  • Wisam Qatawneh - keyboard and vocals
  • Yazan Al Rousan - guitar and main vocals
  • Burhan Al Ali - drums and vocals

There has been some changes in the line-up of the band with Hamzeh Arnaout (guitar) and Wisam Qatawneh (keyboards) leaving and admission of Abdulrahman Atari (guitars) and Mohannad Shwayat (keyboards).

The present line-up is now made up of:

  • Avo Demerjian - bass guitar and vocals
  • Bashar Hamdan - saxophone and keyboard
  • Yazan Al Rousan - guitar, percussion and main vocals
  • Burhan Al Ali - drums and vocals
  • Abdulrahman Atari - Guitar
  • Mohannad Shwayat - Keyboard

Music

Autostrad's music is influenced by a mix of rock, reggae, Latin and funk combined with their own lyrics written in the Jordanian dialect.[7] The topics draw inspiration from everyday life in Jordan, the group conveys stories of love, struggle, financial challenges, drug abuse, and finding oneself through their music. The band has gained popularity amongst Jordanian youth because of their music evokes daily life in the country. They have record three albums: Fe Autostrad (2008), Autostrad (2011) and Nitrogen (2013).[8]

Tours and appearances

They have toured the Arab Middle East, at times fostering controversy. Their tour that included the Golan Heights, Nazareth, Haifa, Ramallah and Jerusalem's Old City drew criticism because of their decision to cross the Jordan River using a visa issued by the Israeli Embassy in Amman.[3]

In 2014, they were invited to play in London as part of their tour. It was their first time playing outside the Arab World.[9]

They have also appeared several times on television, most notably when they were featured in a show by Ro'ya TV and also when they were hosted by Bassem Youssef on Egyptian TV show called Al Bernameg.[8][10] In 2015 they took part in a major musical contest against Jordanian band El Morabba3.[11][12]

See also

References
  1. Arab Today: Jordanian band Autostrad to tour Egypt
  2. The National: Indie bands battle it out at Red BullSoundclash
  3. Al Monitor.com: Jordanian Band's Israel-Palestine Tour Causes Uproar
  4. Arab British Centre: Autostrad’s First London Concert Archived September 25, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  5. BarakaBits: Oriental Guitar, Plays on Words in Colloquial Arabic: Autostrad Tours Palestine
  6. "Autostrad indie band members express 'their humanity' through music". Jordan Times. 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2016-10-12.
  7. Al Hayat, London: فرقة «أوتوستراد» الأردنية... تسلك طرقاً فنية مختلفة Archived March 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine (in Arabic)
  8. Khaberni: باسم يوسف استقبل فرقة أردنية (in Arabic)
  9. Al Hayat: موسيقى «أوتوستراد» الأردنية ... تصل إلى لندن (in Arabic)
  10. Al Ghad: فرقة "أوتوستراد" ضيوف برنامج باسم يوسف الليلة (in Arabic)
  11. Saraha News: أوتوستراد والمربع تخوضان ريد بل ساوند كلاش الجمعة (in Arabic)
  12. AlOrdon Alyoom يد بُل ساوند كلاش مواجهة موسيقية بحضور شبابي لافت (in Arabic)


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