#analogroom

       Leaving home for a new environment is bitter sweet. Despite Dubai being the land of opportunities, it took a while to adjust to a place that seemed to us, to be quite alien. As any expat might say, ‘there is no soul’ and finding relief takes time. Nights in London and Beirut, now a former life, were deeply missed. Two raw cities where one felt embraced through each walk down every avenue and alley comes to a sudden halt as we find ourselves now gallivanting through hotel lobbies every weekend. Then one Thursday night, with our ritual craving for good music, a memory is triggered of some “different” place that a friend had recommended – the name was Analog Room.

       In the words of Kendrick Lamar, “the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice.” This stands true for the venue that is Analog Room. One of the few places in Dubai hoisting the true electronic scene where a Berlin and Detroit feel is always present. When entering, the stark contrast of the bright lighting outside and the darkness inside makes us lose our breath for an instant, as we are bewildered with a beautifully grim atmosphere. From the top to bottom blackness and discreet lighting, the walls are enveloped with every happy go lucky groover absorbed in their zone. Everyone is dancing like no one cares, like no one is watching, like there is no façade like there is no obligation to be someone you are not. We finally find ourselves. We find the place to be in the midst of a city where nightlife is painstakingly saturated.

       What comes with Analog Room is the story of the faces behind it. One crisp Tuesday evening spent with the mysterious wonder that is Siamak Amidi (Volt Music), unveils a truth about the ‘electronic music scene’ in Dubai. Some few years ago when the Hard Rock Café was the hottest place in town, Siamak and his partner Mehdi Ansari were in the background trying to bring to life a new scene. Despite their strict and dodgy ‘invite-only’ parties, the twosome were in the midst of birthing something unique for the city. Their parties at CATWALK were the stepping stones in creating a community, “uniting like-minded people together and in making things happen” says Siamak. He continues, “there was a lack of urban life here, I couldn’t even imagine doing this.” Having spent a good chunk of his life in Berlin, Germany, his pioneer spirit travelled with him and evolved in his new home, in a city where anything is possible. Despite the ‘hater-raid’ the two faced and the hustle and bustle of making dreams come true, they kept on simply for the ‘love of music.’ And voila, Analog Room comes to life in 2012.

       However, one of the many frustrations they face is the way in which the community is growing with its perception of the ‘electronic music scene’ here in Dubai. It has been developing into a hype and trend where the organic and sensational experiences it ought to create go amiss for it followers. No one is following the scene for the right reason and no one is turning up to the gigs. They are too alien and too daring amongst a crowd that is shaped to believe that all ‘that is commercial’ is the path to follow. We see that the scene is now battling between a subculture phenomenon versus a hyped up trend where international artists are overshadowing the local and resident DJs - a battle in which renowned names and popular venues are favoured over standards of music and sound. As devoted music lovers, we crave a killer sound system on a night out, a key point that is sadly missing in many venues. For Siamak, “standard chartered tracks” are filling up the rooms. The minority of the ‘electronic music scene’ who truly understand this subculture, are at risk of being pulled into the majority; those who are simply immersed in the ‘house music’ trend. Our suspicion was heightened as we found ourselves repetitively listening to the same track at the end of various gigs.

       This scene is a landmark, a part of history and a mode of expression. We felt relief through Siamak’s industrial like music. His approach to music sees that he is continuously manipulating the texture of sounds. Uncanny by nature, his music too is psychedelic and edgy, something unheard of in Dubai’s nightlife scene. For him, the challenge in creating new sounds and breaking free from common patterns is what intrigues him. His approach is shaped by his goal to maintain a standard of music, to steer clear from the norm and to continue preserving the little authenticity the scene currently holds in the city. Finally at some relief, this now ignites a hope and urge to convert this trend into a revolution, so long as everyone keeps on doing what he or she truly loves. So long as everyone stands against all that is penetrating the organic ebb and flow of a scene that should be both a “body and soul experience.”

       These sensations trigger a memory of our time in Germany. For all the avid music fans, it would be a lie to deny that Berlin is the bearer of the blacker berries, squeezing sweet juices. What comes with this memory is the freedom we had to express the emotions felt when embracing the nightlife there. The freedom to keep going, the choice to embrace everyone around and the liberty to share a passion as openly as the sky.

       Back to the basement floor of the Holiday Inn that holds Analog Room (of course, in a hotel) the night is thriving. The vibe is both familiar and eclectic keeping us sheltered yet later, yanking us out of our comfort zone. It is intimate, its audience a family, and it is the thread that holds the minority together. With an energy, crowd and sound that is deeply enthralling, it is the likes of Analog Room that fill the gap. What we take away from our experiences is that nothing is as true as our emotions. Our fight for doing what we love and what we believe in ought to endure. When that unknown void beckons us to keep on, we ought to listen to the calling. The scene for us is the means for a full on ‘body and soul experience.’ But even grander than this, it is a means for sharing, exchanging, educating, learning, inspiring, being inspired, coming together and feeling at home.

Writer/Editor: @madradar​

Photographer/Editor in chief: @nehmew​

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Links...

Siamak:

https://www.facebook.com/siamakamidi.music/?fref=ts

https://soundcloud.com/siamak-amidi

https://soundcloud.com/volt-music

FIBRE:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/fibre-339089636

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fibrepassion/?fref=ts