Light in Babylon is an international band that formed in 2010, consisting of singer Michal Elia Kamal (Hebrew: מיכל אליה קמל), guitarist Julien Demarque, and santurist Metehan Çiftçi. Since 2017, the band has been joined by bassist Priam Arnoux, and drummer Stuart Dickson.
History While traveling in the Balkans, the female singer Michal Elia Kamal, an Israeli of Iranian heritage, met French guitarist Julien Demarque. Searching together for a santur player to join them, Michal and Julien encountered Turkish santurist Metehan Çiftçi as he was busking in Istanbul. The trio formed initially out of a casual jamming arrangement, in which each spoke different languages but found common ground in music.
The biblical story of the Tower of Babel inspired the band's moniker, alluding to how the medium of music enabled the three members to play together despite initial difficulties in communicating.
Light in Babylon played extensively on the Beyoğlu District’s Independence Avenue (İstiklal Caddesi), a thoroughfare known for music performances of diverse genres and instrumentation through which it is estimated that three million pedestrians pass each day.
Musical styles and influences The band’s style has been described as going beyond strict delineations of language and culture, and as welcoming of all audiences. Accordingly, their music is listed to across numerous intersections of identity, nationality, and religion internationally. Genres that have influenced the band’s style include Turkish music, Balkan songs, Mizrahi music, gypsy traditions, classical and pop music.
Songs are sung in various languages, combining Hebrew, Turkish, Persian, and English.
Discography
Albums +YearAlbum details2010Istanbul (demo)
Release date: 2010 Label: Light in Babylon2012Life Sometimes Doesn't Give You Space
Release date: 2012 Label: Light in Babylon2016Yeni Dunya (Turkish for "New World")
Release date: 2016 Label: Light in Babylon2022On Our Way
Release date: 2022 Label: Light in Babylon
Music Videos +YearVideo details2013The Women of Teheran
Release date: September 28, 2013 Channel: TRT Haber2015Imagine
Release date: July 1, 2015 Director of Photography: Gültekin Tetik2017Ya Sahra
Release date: May 15, 2017 Co-producer: João Leitão2018Kipur
Release date: January 30, 2018 Director of Photography: Hasip Arvas
Features +YearVideo details2013İçimdeki Ses 8 Bölüm
Release date: May 26, 2013 Channel: İçimdeki Ses2015Canlı Performans TEDxReset
Release date: June 15, 2015 Channel: TEDx Talks2015Light in Babylon Documentary
Release date: August 4, 2015 Channel: ARTE2020Light in Babylon interview
Release date: April 4, 2020 Channel: AllatRa TV Russia
References
External links Official website