Ear Expansion with Kareem Samara

In this episode of Ear Expansion, Kareem Samara delves into his musical journey influenced by his father's love for classic rock and his mother's classical Arabic music. He describes his early interactions with music, from creating mixtapes in junior school to formal learning with his Lebanese oud teacher. Kareem discusses his unique approach of blending the oud with electronic effects and improvisation, and how his Palestinian heritage and current geopolitical events shape his music. He addresses the tension between his identity and his activism, underscoring the importance of representing Palestinian resistance through his art. The conversation also highlights his collaboration on the 'Thin Blue Border' album, exploring themes of global humanitarian crises and the arbitrary nature of borders.