bab el west

HOW IT ALL BEGAN…

In 2011, the singer-guitarist Habib Farroukh met drummer Marc Dupont and his travelling companion, bassist Clement Vallin. Through the wild jam sessions held in numerous squats and cafe-concerts in the capital city, a strong, tacit understanding developed among these three musicians from the west, all driven by the same taste for adventure and groove.

At the crossroads between Maghreb folk, soul and African music, a rough form of Bab El West (“the Western Gate”) took shape in 2012. The magic happened: transported by increasing lively audiences, they hit the road, passing from popular cafes at festivals, to intimate shows on crazy tours. In the process, they released a four-song EP, thus marking the birth of their unique style.

Striking a balance between traditional and modern sounds, the trio brought on guitarist Hamza Bencherif, who lends his blues rock touch to the group, and Nidhal Jaoua on the qanun, a virtuoso of this eastern ancestor to the harp.

After five years of adventures and the success off all their meetings and sharing, Bab El West took a controlled exit and entered the studio to record their first album DOUAR.