Musical Road to Womex 2025 – Kazdoura

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With WOMEX 2025 only days away, our Musical Road to WOMEX reaches one of its very last stops… And we’re heading to Toronto by way of the Levant. This episode shines a light on Kazdoura, a duo reshaping Arabic music from within the diaspora and carrying that energy to Tampere for their WOMEX showcase.

Founded by Syrian vocalist Leen Hamo and Lebanese multi-instrumentalist Johnny Abou Chacra, Kazdoura formed in 2020, drawing from Levantine maqams and classical Arabic phrasing while weaving in jazz improvisation, funk rhythm, disco sparkle and electro-pop detail. Their debut album Ghoyoum, released earlier this year, distils that balance beautifully through tracks like “Bala Wda3”, “Khayal” and “Allemni Hibbak”, where Arabic melodies meets contemporary form with bold clarity.

Behind the studio polish lies a story of movement and reinvention. Hamo, who left Syria during the war, and Abou Chacra, tracing his Lebanese roots through jazz, first met at a Toronto fundraiser following the 2020 Beirut explosion. That shared moment of displacement became the foundation of their collaboration: one that celebrates resilience without losing the joy of dance or the bite of live improvisation.

For Musical Road to WOMEX, Kazdoura talk about writing in Arabic, rebuilding identity through migration and bringing a Levantine voice to global stages. Alongside the Q&A, they curate an exclusive playlist for Rhythm Passport, tracing the influences behind Ghoyoum.

Kazdoura’s music pulls Arabic classics into dialogue with jazz, funk, electro-pop, disco and much more. How would you describe that balance to someone hearing you for the first time? What roots, traditions or sounds do you feel most connected to when shaping your identity as a band?

It’s important for me (Leen) to write lyrics in Arabic and weave in Arabic musical elements such as maqams (Arabic scales and modes), because I grew up surrounded by traditional and pop Arabic music. When Johnny and I write songs together, the process is intuitive and collaborative. We start by jamming, and Johnny brings in rich, groovy chord progressions, jazzy saxophone improvisations and funky bass lines. This organic exchange creates a distinctive sound where Arabic melodies meet jazz, funk and contemporary rhythms, bridging cultural roots with modern expression.

Can you share one moment or turning point in your personal or musical life that deeply shaped how you create today?

One of the biggest turning points in my life and musical journey was leaving Syria and rebuilding my artistic voice in a new country. Music became the bridge between my roots and my new surroundings. I started blending the Arabic sounds I grew up with and the different influences I encountered here, which completely reshaped the way I write and perform. That experience gave me a clear purpose — to create music that carries my cultural identity while connecting with people across borders.

WOMEX is landing this year in Tampere, a city famous for turning factories into cultural spaces and for having more saunas than most people could ever try in a week. What are you most curious to discover about the city, and how do you picture your music connecting with audiences there?

I’m really curious to experience the language and culture of Finland — and the saunas, for sure! I’ve heard they’re truly unique. I’m excited to connect with audiences who may be hearing these sounds for the first time. My hope is that they’ll discover something unexpected and leave with a fresh impression of Arabic music — one that feels vibrant, modern and deeply human. As an Arab woman leading a band, I want my presence on stage to challenge stereotypes. I want Arab women to be seen as creators, innovators and leaders. I hope to leave an impression of strength, authenticity and artistic freedom. Through my music, I want audiences to feel the power and beauty of Arabic culture.

With so many traditions and genres represented at WOMEX, what makes your music distinctive within this global context, and what do you hope people hearing you at WOMEX take away from it?

Our music invites people to listen without the need to categorise. It moves fluidly between genres and traditions, blending global grooves, jazz, psychedelic elements, pop and traditional Arabic folk. What makes it distinctive is the way these influences come together naturally, creating something familiar yet fresh. I hope audiences at WOMEX feel that openness and leave with a new appreciation for the richness and versatility of Arabic music in a global context.

WOMEX in Tampere will host artists from across the world. Are there particular showcases or musicians you’re especially excited to meet or hear while you’re there?

There are many! I’m excited to attend Dawit Yifru (Ethiopian jazz) and Dur-Dur Band (Somali-UK).

Tampere has a reputation for intimate venues and close-knit audiences. How does performing in that kind of setting influence the way you share your music, and what do you value most about that connection with listeners?

Our set moves between intimacy and high energy, depending on the space and the audience. We pay close attention to the atmosphere and adjust how we perform to create a shared experience. What we value most is the direct connection with listeners — when that exchange flows both ways, it turns the performance into something personal and unforgettable.

Tampere sits between two lakes, cut through by rapids and surrounded by dense forests — almost like a ready-made postcard. Do surroundings like these influence how you experience a place, and do they leave a trace in how you connect with your music?

Every city gives me a different kind of energy, and I naturally respond to it. I imagine a place like Tampere, surrounded by lakes and forests, will inspire me in a unique way. I think I’ll absorb that calm yet vibrant atmosphere and let it reflect in my performance, bringing something fresh to the stage.

Themes of identity, exile and renewal run through much of your work. Is there a particular message or emotional thread you hope to bring to WOMEX this year — something that feels urgent or relevant to this global moment?

Our message carries a quiet but powerful political weight. It’s about empowerment — especially for artists like us who have had to leave their homelands because of war. Sharing our music on a global stage is both personal and symbolic. Having a home for our Levantine voice at WOMEX is meaningful recognition of a culture often overshadowed by conflict. It’s a reminder that our stories and sounds deserve to be heard, celebrated and carried forward.

Your debut album came out earlier this year. How does performing at WOMEX build on that chapter, and are there new collaborations or directions emerging as you look ahead?

WOMEX is an important step in building international recognition for our band and laying the groundwork for our album’s global tour next year. We see it as more than just a showcase — it’s a chance to connect with presenters, audiences and artists from around the world. We’re also excited about the potential for new collaborations that could open creative directions for our music.

If you could send a personal invitation to the audience in Tampere, what would it say? What do you want them to understand or feel after experiencing Kazdoura live for the first time?

Come and experience a vibrant, heartfelt show that brings together energy, emotion and culture. We want you to feel the warmth and joy of our music — and to connect with our story.

 

 

PLAYLIST: KAZDOURA X RHYTHM PASSPORT

 

You can find all the previous episodes of Musical Road to Womex HERE