Syria Today | Going Underground

Musicians are orchestrating their own revolution in Syria.

By Sarah Abu Assali
Photo Adel Samara

A search on YouTube for Syrian revolutionary music results in dozens of videos and songs. Some are secretly uploaded from inside the country but most are believed to be made abroad because of security concerns. Little is known about the artists or their way of working because secrecy is needed to prevent artists who criticise the government from being arrested.

Bands and musicians with pseudonyms such as the Salamiyah Band, Freedom Birds, Syrian Moondesseen (infiltrators) create these anthems. Their videos have minimal budgets and are speedily composed and arranged using basic computer software. Yet they employ meaningful lyrics and symbolic graphics to create an innovative outlet for dissent.

Risky music
"It is our way of being part of the revolution," explained Mohammed, a young Syrian musician living abroad who produces revolutionary songs and wished to remain anonymous.

"There isn't much one can do on the ground at this stage, and composing music can be as effective as taking to the streets and calling for freedom," he said.

But producing such music is a risky business. Mohammed only reluctantly agreed to speak to Syria Today via Skype about his upcoming project, and refused to give details about his work, partners or where and when his next recording will take place.

"I fear the same destiny as Ibrahim al-Qashoush," he said, referring to a singer from Hama who was found murdered in early July with his throat cut after chanting anti-regime songs during protests in Al-Aasi square. Foreign and local media reports citing activists claimed that the security forces were responsible, while Syrian television blamed armed groups for his killing.

The danger, Mohammed says, is because music and other forms of art pose a greater threat to the regime than public protests. "Music and graphics can really stir emotions of anger, enthusiasm and empowerment," he said. He believes that composing music for the revolution is "a national duty" and helps to provide insight into what is really happening across the country.

His next song, a classical piece that is due to be uploaded on YouTube "soon", is dedicated to the revolution's martyrs such as Hamza al-Khateeb, a 13-year-old boy from Dera'a in the south of Syria whose death was blamed on torture by security forces - a claim the government denies.

"Despite the difficulties we face together as a group in creating this song, we are keen on emphasising the importance of joining efforts at such time," Mohammed said. This song will also be more professionally produced, recorded and mixed in a studio.

Gaining a following
Some videos and groups have drawn wide followings. The young people who spoke to Syria Today about music produced during the revolution agreed that the most famous song is "We want to fill up the prison cells" by a group called Strong Heroes of Moscow. The video has been viewed over 43,000 times on YouTube, shared on social networking websites and e-mailed among activists, but no-one knows the band members.

Set to motion graphics in white, black and red - the colours of the Syrian flag - the Arabic rap song criticises the violence and oppression practiced by the regime against the protestors as well as the way the state media is handling the unrest. The lyrics are strong:

"We want to fill up the prisons cells and the detention camps, let's empty the Kalashnikovs for the sake of the Assad nation… we are your soldiers, O Bashar, we are nothing but dust on your shoes".

Salim, a young university student who is a fan of the video but wished to remain anonymous, said: "I believe that such creativity emanates from the pain and suffering to express the feelings of an entire generation."

Another song circulated online for the past three months is called the "The Syrian water heater". It became popular because of its classical Arabic tunes and street-inspired lyrics that hint at deeper meanings.

Water boilers are typically found in every Syrian house, and when the temperature exceeds the limits, water starts to spill out of the tanker, causing a mess. The song compares this to the situation in the country.

On their Facebook page, the anonymous musicians behind the video said it is "non-commercial and describes the situation in Syria following the explosion of the water boiler". The group promises to produce more songs.

Counter-attack
Online songs and videos are not just for Syria's revolutionaries. Pro-government activists are launching their own campaign, producing and uploading songs that reflect their loyalty to the regime. While the songs may be similar in inspiration and composition, these musicians can operate openly, using their own names, while the internet is not their only outlet for circulation. Pro-government songs are aired non-stop on radio stations throughout the country, at wedding receptions and certain night clubs.

Most of these songs are dedicated to Syria and the president Bashar al-Assad, promising allegiance and hailing his rule. A recording company in Tartous announced two months ago that it was distributing a CD with a number of similar songs, mostly commercial, for free as a sign of its support.

In a song called "We love you" a young female sings: "We love you until the end… we are your people and we will be on your side, keep walking the line."

Other pro-government songs came in response to the revolutionary music and are more violent and defiant. A rap song called "I'm a top Syrian" accuses protestors of serving foreign agendas.

"Pro-government musicians and singers have the budget, support and all the available means to promote their works," Salim said. "They are not scared or the least concerned about their security, but are more likely to be proud."

Street talk
Syrians interviewed differ on whether music helps mobilise citizens or persuade them to join the pro- or anti-government causes.

Young Syrian writer Amre Sawah argued that while other forms of art take more time to blossom, music has always been the first artistic expression of revolutions and popular movements because of its ability to move the masses.

"The incredible number of clicks on YouTube videos and songs reveals the wide exposure of this kind of art. This new outlet played a major role in this period as it continues to motivate people to go out and express their needs in many ways," Sawah said.

However, Zen Mahmoud, 25, disagrees. "I don't feel that the revolution music is being remarkably effective. The best one can do is appreciate the music, lyrics, or even the graphics but it doesn't make me think or reflect on why we got to this stage," she said. "Chanting during protests has so far proved more poignant."