Born and raised in Doha, singer-songwriter Naser Mestarihi plays multiple instruments
and composes his own music. His new music video 1987 was released last week
To call Naser Mestarihi a singer-songwriter and a multi-instrumentalist would still not complete the introduction. He is all that and some more. The man who is possibly the first musician to release a rock album out of Qatar, has now released his first music video for his second single 1987 off his debut LP of the same name.
Born and bred in Doha, the Jordanian-Pakistani likes to write his own songs and music, and perform them (guitar, vocals and bass), too. “I envision a certain vibe and sound for my tracks. So by playing all the parts myself, I ensure that I get exactly what I want,” Mestarihi says.
Ever since his debut album, the eponymous Naser Mestarihi EP, which released in 2010 to favourable reviews and feedback, he has kept pushing his craft forward. His second album 1987, featuring eight feisty tracks, released all over the world last June and in Qatar, last August – the first full-length rock album from Qatar, according to Mestarihi. “I wanted to bring out a straight-up, out-and-out hard rock record,” he says.
The album title is as much a reference to the year of his birth as it is to the hair metal glory of the late ’80s. “The sound of the album is distinctly ’70s and ’80s hard rock with contemporary elements to it. I like to focus a lot on riffs, harmonies and solos, you know, the things that make a rock song a rock song. I love Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Thin Lizzie, Guns N’ Roses, and this album is about going back to what we all used to love about rock n’ roll,” he says.
His new video that was launched and uploaded on YouTube last week was shot in Doha during the recording sessions for 1987. Filmed by Qatari filmmakers Ahmad al-Sharif and Yasser Mustafa, it shows Mestarihi rocking out on his guitar and even multi-tasking by belting out guitar, bass and vocals.
Like 1987, all other tracks reflect his thoughts and emotions on a range of issues, Mestarihi says. “For instance, 1987 is about rebellion and standing up against anyone who exploits you in any way. It is my point of view on the political turmoil plaguing Pakistan.
Another track Wovoka is inspired by the Wounded Knee massacre involving Native Americans and that too, is about rising against injustice and oppression. Blazing Temple speaks of the perils of alcohol and drug addiction, Phoenix coaxes you to move forward against all odds, and Exodus Highway is about race cars, which I love,” he says.
While Mestarihi is busy finishing off his follow-up album Praed Street, he also finds time to rehearse for a series of gigs lined up across the region. He is managing fine despite coping with a guitar player’s worst nightmare – Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Says he, “Almost two years back, I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel, and recently, I found I have Tenosynovitis, too. It’s really painful and by not playing for long, your muscle memory weakens and hand co-ordination suffers. But I was extremely dedicated and have re-learned how to play the guitar. I feel it’s pushed me to become a better and a more accomplished guitarist.”
As for the next-to-nothing rock music scene of Qatar, Mestarihi hasn’t given up on it yet. “It is depressing, honestly,” he says, “But I have lived in Qatar all my life and I believe we will soon have an active rock music circuit here. It only needs a jump start because we have talents hidden all across the country.”