12 Sep National premiere on September 19 in Oeiras | Interview with Simin Tander: “For me, there are no borders or boundaries””
It’s not easy to put into words the sound of Simin Tander. Yet that’s all the more reason — if we even needed one — to experience live the uniqueness of this German-Afghan singer now based in Norway. Her new album The Wind is a map of emotions and folklore, a pure exercise in freedom that the Ruy de Carvalho Municipal Auditorium in Carnaxide/Oeiras will host on September 19, marking her very first performance on Portuguese stages.
In your new album, you sing in five languages, celebrating the folklore and poetry of Afghanistan, Spain, Italy, England, and Norway. What inspired you to bring together this particular combination of cultures?
This record reflects me quite holistically as a musician, person and music listener, it is in its whole a very international album indeed. Something which feels very natural to me, a consequence of growing up in a multi- cultural household and of feeling each language as a sound universe of its own. I have always loved exploring different languages in music, since I started having my first projects as a music student. To me there are no boarders or boundaries to what songs or poetry or languages I sing, I need to feel a deep connection to the melody or atmosphere of the song and be able to make it my own. Gently draw it into my own musical universe. The Wind also reflects on my Afghan heritage with the Pashto songs which continue to play an essential role in my music. Pashto is such a beautiful language! Then my own compositions with poetry- like lyrics, those I consciously choose to write in English to make the lyrics accessible to most people. Many of these songs and also sounds reflect on the music I have listened to when I was a teenager and young adult. The folkloristic music from different parts of Europe, something I have always been drawn to. Or this time also very groovy tunes reflecting on my early love for Hip Hop and Groove music. It was a very conscious choice to collect seemingly contrasting songs, cultures and moods and to create one whole story through them. The coherent band sound and my voice are carrying through the different colors and bind them together. Plus all songs are connected through the themes of love and devotion.
The album is titled The Wind. What does this image or metaphor represent for you?
The element wind, to me, symbolizes the merging of contrasts—gentle breezes and storms alike—while evoking transformation, freedom, and unity. The timeless and unifying power of wind, as an element that transcends boundaries, connecting the different cultures, languages and moods of the album in a kind of a magical flow- while always being wind. I have a fascination for the archaic power of the elements and the wind is also reflected in my singing where I play with air and nuanced side- sounds instead of trying to hide them. As if the wind blows through it. Wind is also always in motion. To me the image and sensation of movement is essential in my music and expression.
Your music is so rich and layered that it resists simple classification. If you had to define it, how would you describe your sound?
It is never easy to find words for what might not be possible to capture in words but a merge of contemporary world jazz / ambient folk /with indie pop influences might be quite fitting.
Through your compositions, what feelings or messages do you hope to share with your audience?
In my music there has always been a strong sensation of “desire”, actually the Portuguese “saudade” is a perfect description for it! When I sing I try to connect to something deeper than reason, it is a place of deep joy where the music arises from, it can be immensely soft and tender or free and wild. It can also be a transformation from pain and grief. The best that can happen is that it just happens by itself and I am just letting it flow through me to the audience. Then the music is true and can hopefully reach hearts, reach people on a level far from reason. After concerts I often hear that people felt something transformative. That touches me a lot and is all I care about- that the music is true and really comes purely from my heart- only then it can also be the healing power and reach to others.
MORE INFORMATION:
19 SEP
OEIRAS
AUDITÓRIO MUNICIPAL RUY DE CARVALHO
21:30
BUY TICKETS: 10,00 €
TICKETS SALES
Auditório Municipal Ruy de Carvalho (no próprio dia, a partir das 15h00), Posto de Turismo de Oeiras, Palácio Anjos, Centro Cultural Palácio do Egipto, Fábrica da Pólvora de Barcarena, Ticketline, ABEP, ASK ME Lisboa, Worten, Fnac, C.C. Mundicenter, SuperCor Supermercados, It Tabacarias, MMM Ticket, El Corte Inglés, E. Leclerc, Altice Fórum Braga, Cascais Visitor Center, Casino Lisboa, Centro Cultural de Belém, Galeria C. Campo Pequeno, Multiusos Guimarães, Super Bock Arena, Teatro Tivoli BBVA e Time Out Mercado da Ribeira.
