In our latest Artist Spotlight, we’ve teamed up with Egyptian winemaker, Beausoleil, to get up-close-and-personal with some of Egypt’s most unique and talented young musicians. More than just your run-of-the-mill interview, we’ve gone to the source, to where the magic happens - in their homes, their studios and all the way into their minds, as we explore how these guys conceive and create their music. This time round, we put the spotlight on Moe Hani, aka Dirty Backseat.
Having done the rounds on Cairo’s gig circuit for the better part of a decade as a member of several bands, Moe Hani is one guy that can safely say that he’s seen it all and done it all when it comes to a local indie scene that’s fractured but very much alive and kicking.
A musical renaissance man if there ever was one, it wasn’t until 2017 that Hani decided to put the majority of his focus and energy into a loose, casual project that had been rumbling for the five years prior: Dirty Backseat.
Starting off as a trio, the band gave the rock scene a shot in the arm with a sound informed by garage rock, indie punk and lo-fi, a sound characterised by emotional melodies, visceral noise and catchy hooks. That trio eventually became a solo act, though it was arguably the best thing that could have happened to Hani as he further honed his sound. In that time he also launched a small but prolific imprint, SLOVVDK, alongside longtime friend and collaborator, 200 Shams, in 2019, which has acted as a unique space for those that don’t fit into the rap or electronic camps. It has been a breeding ground for alt-pop, indie and other often neglected styles of music in Egypt, positioning Hani a seasoned figure on the scene, one that has operated and flourished at several levels in the industry and scene.
In this Artist Spotlight, we dig further into a unique career to see how Hani ticks.
