Sam Yekta - Profile Interview

How long you been playing music?

Ive been playing since I was 11 years old.

Where you from?

I was born and raised in London, England to Iranian parents - but Ive never really felt at home or belonging to any particular culture or scene.

Can you remember the first time you picked up a guitar or any musical instrument? What's it like?

I think the first instrument I picked up was the electric guitar I begged for and finally got at age 11. Back then, no other kids had electric guitars, so it made me feel good -:). It took me a while to then teach myself what to do with it.

How about song writing when did you learn to write your songs?

I began song writing when I put together my first band with school friends at the age of 13.

Is there a particular genre in your music? any bands or artists that influence your music?

Im influenced by darker sounding music like Placebo, A perfect circle, Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Tori Amos, Nine inch nails, Goon Moon, Cirque du Soleil some Lou Reed, Suede, Guns and Roses, Queen etc. etc. The album that probably had the most influence on my songwriting was "Mechanical Animals" by Marilyn Manson. That album, indirectly introduced me to a lot of the glam stuff I now like very much.

When you write your songs or create your music, what are your inspirations?

Dissapointments, failed dreams, people and their aspirations as well as my own. I am heavily inspired by the themes in Theodore Zeldins Book - "an intimate history of humanity" and by the film "About Schmidt". Jeff Buckleys' references to how music and art in general makes the artist immortal is a great inspiration too.

Do you have any achievements in your music before that you wouldlike to share?

I have had my music used, illegaly, in the Danny Boyle motion picture - 28 Days Later. I have had a song aired in the UK on radio - "Second person" I have performed to sold out club crowds in the UK. I had a song, which I wrote and recorded whilst in Iran, picked up by Playmusic Magazine in the UK and distributed with the magazine - "Rain".

What are you up to these days? any upcoming events or gigs and perhaps an album or EP?

I am beggining to do some small shows in Dubai thanks to Dubai Lime's open mic nights. These will consist of very raw and stripped down versions of some of my songs I hope to start doing some bigger shows after the new year and also getting round to redoing some songs with the live band im putting together dates of shows can be found on my myspace for now at www.myspace.com/samyekta

Do you have any plans on taking your music to the next level?

With more radio appearances in Dubai, professionally recording an albums worth of my extensive back catalogue and seeking a publishing deal - yes.

How long you been in Dubai? and what can you say about Dubai?

I've been here for almost 4 years on and off. Politically and socially, its not a place I like but neither is the UK anymore - so this is gonna be home for a while. My one major dissapointment with this place however was the music scene and Dubai Lime seems to be doing alot to get that sorted out - thanks guys.

What do you do besides music? any hidden talent?

I have run two marathons, countless road races, 4 boxing matches with a record of 1-3 and won a bench press competition in the UK in 2003! So, I guess that may qualify as hidden talent.

Any word of wisdom and encouragement to those who will be readingyour profile?

"Give up son - look at me. Dreams are for suckers" (from the highly intellectual film "dont be a menace to south central while drinking your juice in the hood) - hahahahaha ...no. I honestly dont know.....maybe just to persevere with any dreams you have and never give up and resign yourself to lifestyle you hate from peer pressure - you only live once but at the same time - do unto others as you would like done to you, these days this philosophy seems to have gone out the window completely - espsecially here in the Middle East.

Do you have anything to say about Dubai Lime or anything that you would like us to do to encourage local musicians?

Putting together some bigger venues for gigs that would be paid events. Getting some of the Dubai Lime artists on the upcoming MTV arabia. Setting up a small, Dubailime, record label would be great to distribute some of the artists music - a web page even, that could sell digital downloads where Dubailime could take commisions on sales. Getting artists in touch with copyrighters to secure their music so some people doesnt go and steal it!!!!

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