EP133 - Souad Massi, Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Paul Weller Collaboration - Let Me Be In Peace

On this episode of The Paul Weller Fan Podcast, I’m joined by
Franco-Algerian singer-songwriter and guitarist Souad
Massi.


Souad began her career fronting the Kabyle political rock band
Atakor, earning her a reputation as a troublemaker in an Algeria
torn apart by civil war.


After fleeing to Paris following a series of death threats, she
performed at the 1999 Femmes d'Algérie to great acclaim, earning
her first recording contract.


She has forged her reputation over the course of a career
spanning more than 20 years.


Driven by an unfailing determination to speak out for what she
values most: freedom and justice.


Her songs are steeped in love, altruism and bravery.


Our Paul Weller connection comes in the 2000's - with Paul
telling Uncut magazine in July 2008: "I've recently developed a
bit of a thing about tango. I love that music. It's really
emotional, passionate music. And in soundchecks we often mess
about with tango and bolero rhythms. Again, Simon ( Dine ) had a
backing track and I had a tune in my head and we started jamming
on it. The melody is quite influenced by an Algerian singer
called Souad Massi, who's been a huge inspiration recently."


As you’ll hear on the podcast, this led to the two of them
creating music together at Black Barn Studio.


Resulting in a beautiful song called Let Me In
Peace which featured as the last track on Souad’s album
Ô Houria (Liberty).


Find out more in the show notes for this podcast on my website at
paulwellerfanpodcast.com/episode-133-souad-massi


And if you want to support the podcast financially, you can buy
me a virtual coffee at paulwellerfanpodcast.com/store


Find podcast show notes and sign up for regular information at
PaulWellerFanPodcast.com


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