Ala - Profile Interview

How long have you been playing Music?

Since I discovered it at 3.

How long have you been living in Dubai?

13 years.

What do you honestly think of Dubai Lime?

 Its about time!

Can you remember the first time you picked up a guitar?

When I was seven. I broke it.  It wouldn't respond to me.

What was the first song you learnt to play?

Hey Knockin' On Heaven's door.

Whats your normal day job?

What does it involve? I'm unemployed at the moment.

What musical influences do you have, who is your favorite artist or band and why?

In all fairness, Dubai 92 fm was my biggest musical influence. So everything on air from 1988 till 2000 when I left Dubai for college. I have a strong pop sensibility. I like a lot of folk music too. I'm all over the place.

If you were not doing your day job, and were not a pro musician what job would you do?

This question bothers me greatly, exactly what I'm doing now. Hanging with dubailime peeps.

And why?

Dubailime isn't just opening doors its making them too. You hang out there in the hope that you'll meet like-minded musicians that can inspire and encourage you, and maybe collaborate with. As for ‘unlike'-minded musicians there's always the chance that you'll learn something new from them; this place is a haven.

What is the most important lesson of your life that you can share with readers of your profile?

If your in the UAE, check out Dubai Lime.

What are the most important things in your life?

Health and wellbeing. Family (include friends). Music.

We want to know, what is the list of music toys you have.

My guitar broke ... mysteriously. So, I borrowed one. I also have a technics double decker keyboard from 1992.

What's the best one and why?

My dead Samick semi-acoustic guitar is the best one. We were getting very close. It finally began to confide and open up to me, then it just died. My technics keyboard is an old flame, but we're not talking much these days. Every now and then I drop in and we make magic nobody hears.

What's the best thing about living in Dubai?

Dubai Lime

How many languages do you speak?

Three, English, Arabic and Music.

When you write your original music, what gets your creative juices flowing?

An inspiring lyric, a captivating title (that spearheads the development of the song), an attractive melody.

Do you have any other hidden talents?

I used to be able to do a mean cartwheel.   

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