The first Qatari record label, DNA Records, has been launched by Dana Alfardan, Qatari composer and songwriter.
“DNA records will be a long-term, sustainable platform to support local and international artistes and provide them with the tools to see their dreams turn into reality,” she explained in a statement yesterday.
DNA Records operates over an international space working with recording studios in London as well as a private recording studio in Qatar. Artists benefit from a cultural exchange as international artistes are brought to Qatar.
DNA Records debut artiste is Irish group The Ryan O’Reilly Band, and according to Dana this is where their efforts will focus on for the time being.
“It’s important to me, as someone who has been an artiste, that the artiste is looked after and not exploited, as it is becoming a common practice with some large management firms,” observed Dana, who is also the CEO of DNA Records.
“DNA Records offers a 50/50 joint venture with the artiste as opposed to the industry norm of 80/20 that benefits the label and not the artiste,” the CEO stated.
“DNA Records is about the music, and the people who create it,” commented DNA Records business development manager Dan Brown. “It’s not about signing the most artistes, making the most profit or being the biggest. It’s about quality and commitment to each artiste. We are in the business of protecting our artistes and making sure they get the best deal.”
To get a foot in the local market, DNA Records sponsored a local singing competition, Youth Got Talent, in December 2014, where Dana was a judge for 40 participants. The winner was awarded to chance to record their very own music video and demo with DNA Records.
On February 21 this year, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, in association with DNA Records, will be putting on a show entitled Layla, the title of one of Dana’s songs and her daughter’s namesake.
The show, for Dana, is the pinnacle of her music career as she graciously states, “it is the biggest goal one can achieve as a composer, especially someone like me who never attended mainstream music school, to have my songs played on stage by one of the most respected music groups in the world.”
Layla is comprised of a collection of music composed by Dana and performed by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, and will feature favourites such as Paint, Pride of a Nation, and Layla.
Dana Alfardan
