London, 18th February 2018 Bucks Music Group has signed award-winning music collective Kefaya to an exclusive, worldwide publishing deal.
Led by UK-based musicians and producers Giuliano Modarelli and Al MacSween, Kefaya are an eclectic group of immigrants, travellers and international artists.
The collective won Best Newcomer at the Songlines Music Awards 2017 and have since gained a reputation for their virtuosic, mesmerising live shows. They have performed across Europe and India with a modular line-up ranging from a trio to a nine-piece ensemble.
The group often collaborates with internationally acclaimed artists, with recent examples including Italian saxophonist Daniele Sepe, British vocalist Nicki Wells, Cuban jazz violinist Omar Puente, Indian drummer Sarathy Korwar, Italian folk singer Alessia Tondo, flamenco singer Chico Pere and Kurdish vocalist Olcay Bayir.
Kefaya take their name from the Arabic word meaning “enough”, a rallying-cry that came to prominence during the Arab Spring uprisings.
Their debut album, Radio International, was recorded during travels and collaborations with musicians across India, Palestine, Spain, Italy and the UK.
The LP is based on themes of internationalism, freedom of movement, immigration and political struggle, reinforced by the idea of the album as an international radio station.
For their forthcoming new album, Songs Of Our Mothers, Kefaya are collaborating with Afghan folk singer Elaha Soroor. The body of work reflects on the experience of women and female musicians in modern Afghanistan as well as being an attack on patriarchal values and a statement of liberation and resilience.
Regular members of Kefaya’s live show include Giuliano Modarelli (guitar), Al MacSween (keyboards), Joost Hendrickx (drums), Camilo Tirado (live electronics), Domenico Angarano (bass), Elaha Soroor (vocals), Gurdain Rayatt (table), Deepa Nair Rasiya (vocals) and Cormac Byrne (percussion).
They have performed at festivals and venues across the UK including WOMAD, Celtic Connections, London International Arts Festival, Rich Mix London, Royal Festival Hall and Sage Gateshead.
They’ve also played at numerous political events including university occupations, May Day protests, Amnesty International HQ, Marxism Festival and fundraisers for asylum seekers, Palestinian rights and women’s rights organisations.
International performances include Okarina Festival (Slovenia), Kolkata International Guitar Festival (India) Iboga Festival (Spain), Goa Jazz Festival (India), Sulafest (India), Pozzuoli Jazz Festival (Italy), Blue Frog (India) and many more.
They have received critical acclaim from The Guardain, The Financial Times, The Evening Standard, BBC 6 Music’s Mary Anne Hobbs and more.
Bucks’ Director Creative A&R Sarah Liversedge Platz said: “Kefaya are a truly unique proposition. Not only are they immensely skilled musicians, but they nurture diversity and connect cultures through their approach to collaboration. Moreover, their music provides a platform for important social and political themes and movements, and a megaphone for those groups in society that have been told to be quiet. We are incredibly proud to support them in their journey.”
Kefaya said: “We are delighted to become part of the Bucks family! Their deep expertise, warm support and open-mindedness, combined with a sensitive and nuanced understanding of artistic expression, make them the perfect partners in crime for creating music that can tear down walls and transcend boundaries!”
