IN CONVERSATION WITH MISHAAL TAMER

interview by JANA LETONJA

Half Saudi, half Ecuadorian rising star Mishaal Tamer is set to take the world by storm with his debut album ‘Home is Changing’, which explores themes like change, self-discovery, and love. He just released his latest single from the album, ‘Naskar’. On 28th June, Mishaal is playing the Royal Albert Hall in London, supporting Nancy Ajram.

Your debut album ‘Home is Changing’ explores change, love, and self-discovery. What was the personal turning point that inspired this album’s concept?

Many people, especially back home, theorize that it was the start of the change in 2017 KSA that sparked this album. The truth is there was no specific “turning point”. It was a gradual thing. This album accompanied me in my journey through the ages of 18-23, during which I was creating this piece of work. The album helped me and I’m very happy now to see it helping others through change. 

You’ve described ‘Naskar’ as a song that helped you heal from your first heartbreak. How did that experience shape your growth as both an artist and a person?

Well, the song was recorded the night of my first heartbreak at the age of 19. The emotions were very fresh and that can definitely be heard throughout the composition of the song. It’s just pain, but pain can be beautiful too.

The ‘Naskar’ video is visually powerful, building and repairing a metallic heart. What was it like working with Coming of Age to bring such an emotional concept to life?

Love those guys, I’ve been working with them since “peddle bike”. The video concept also fits into where that song lives within the album. The whole thing is just one big story really, with chapters and interconnected points. It wasn’t even done that way on purpose, it just came out like that over the years. It’s real. 

‘Home is Changing’ is presented in five chapters. What do each of those chapters represent emotionally or narratively for you?

When I was growing up, mental health wasn’t exactly taken seriously, especially in the Arab world. I didn’t use the word depression or depressed, but looking back, I most definitely was at the time. This is the first and possibly most important chapter, The Deep. That’s what I called depression. That’s what it felt like to me. The entire album then takes you on a journey from this low point as the starting point, takes you through the chapters titled: The Heart (love, family, relationships), The Heartbreak, The Dream, and finally back to the starting point, but with an entirely different perspective in the final chapter, The Return. 

You’ve been hands-on with your visuals from early on, including directing ‘Arabian Knights’ in 2019. How important is visual storytelling to your identity as an artist?

It’s part of the art and it’s part of telling the story. I have great fans that love to theorize and analyze my work. I even once found a page dedicated to analyzing my music videos and song lyrics. This means a lot to me because I do put a lot of attention to the details and there are hidden meaning and stories to be found all throughout the album, both sonically and visually. 

You’re Saudi-Ecuadorian, and your sound blends many cultural layers. How do your roots shape your music, from rhythm to lyrics to themes?

It’s just who I am and I never try to be anything other than who I am. It naturally pops up in ideas or melodies. You’ll recognize hints of it throughout ‘Home is Changing’. 

Who were the artists or sounds that helped you discover your voice when you first picked up the guitar after your injury?

Michael Jackson. 

You now have over 1.5 million monthly Spotify listeners. What’s been the most surprising or meaningful fan interaction you’ve had since the album dropped?

When people tell me that the music has saved their life. That means everything. 

Growing up in Saudi Arabia at a time when music was still restricted, what did it mean to you when the Kingdom started embracing music culture more openly?

It meant I can finally do what I was born to do. To be honest, I released my first music before it opened up and that’s why it was anonymously done. You can still find a lot of my music though from the anonymous time. Those first little works have gotten over a billion streams now, my little secret. 

Do you feel a sense of responsibility or purpose as one of the first breakout Saudi artists on a global stage?

Yes, there is still a lot of stigma against Saudis today. Strangely, it was easier finding success as an anonymous artist than a Saudi one. This needs to change, and if I have to walk so that others in the future can run, so be it. 

If ‘Home is Changing’ is your introduction to the world, what’s the next chapter in your story?

‘Home is Changing’, the desert of the Arabian Peninsula will “return” to a state of greenery and rivers. In the desert, flowers will bloom. 

How do you stay grounded creatively while balancing rising fame and expectations?

I don’t care about fame, I never did. I never worshipped any idol growing up. I’m just a normal guy and I want to be seen as that. I love art. Let my art become famous not me. 

You’re playing the Royal Albert Hall on 28th June which is an iconic venue, what can we expect to see?

I have been working with musicians from the Royal College of Music and essentially creating new compositions and arrangements for the songs I’ll be playing. Songs from ‘Home is Changing’ of course, but done in an entirely new way. I hope to also record the whole show and have it up on YouTube for all my fans to enjoy.