IMARHAN TIMBUKTU announces their upcoming US concert tour beginning with four showcases at the SXSW Festival in Austin Texas on 13-15 March 2014 and the worldwide release of their debut international CD “AKAL WARLED” on 18 March. 

At dance clubs and private parties in Northern Mali, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU [Those Who Love Timbuktu] had provided much of the grooving soundtrack to life over the past 10 years. Then came the rebellion, coup d’etat, fundamentalist takeover and more.  This crisis had driven members of the group to refugee camps in neighboring countries.  IMARHAN TIMBUKTU continues to create riveting music, music that affirms a culture under siege.

Grounded in traditional Saharan repertoire, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU developed their own unique sound as witnesses to the incredible political forces shattering their world. The group’s leader, Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar, takes IMARHAN TIMBUKTU into a swirl of rhythmic variations. Backing him is younger brother, Ousmane Ag Oumar, while underneath the insistent tende hand drumming of their sisters, Fadimata Walet Oumar and Zeinabou Walet, establish the foundation.  This is dance music.  It is protest music. Featured artist at such events as the legendary Festival au Desert along with their sister group, TARTIT, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU have toured Europe and North America bringing contemporary Tuareg music to world audiences.  

During the March 2014 US tour, Fadimata will be unable to be with the band due to an injury.  But a unique and very special collaboration has been planned for the SXSW concerts.  IMARHAN TIMBUKTU will be backed by SIHASIN the young Navajo rock band from Arizona. This collaboration brings together the American and Saharan deserts in a relationship begun in 2003 when the Navajo performed in Timbuktu. The friendship and solidarity between these bands promises to generate an unforgettable performance. 
 

IMARHAN TIMBUKTU’s March 2014 tour schedule:

March 13 Thursday at Austin Psych Fest, Hotel Vegas 9pm www.texashotelvegas.com Austin, Texas
March 14 Friday @ International Day Stage Austin Convention Center 2pm www.austinconventioncenter.com/ Austin, Texas
March 14 Friday at globalFEST, Speakeasy 9pm www.speakeasyaustin.com/‎ Austin, Texas
March 15 Saturday at Sahara Lounge Unofficial Showcase 6pm www.saharalounge.com Austin, Texas.
March 17 Monday The Mothlight 9:30pm www.themothlight.com Asheville NC
March 18 Tuesday at Balliceaux 9pm Richmond, Virginia
March 19 Wednesday at Bossa Bistro 8:30pm Washington, DC
March 21 Friday BSP Lounge 7:30pm www.bspkingston.com Kingston New York
March 23 Sunday NYC To be announced

IMARHAN TIMBUKTU announces their upcoming US concert tour beginning with four showcases at the SXSW Festival in Austin Texas on 13-15 March 2014 and the worldwide release of their debut international CD “AKAL WARLED” on 18 March. 

At dance clubs and private parties in Northern Mali, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU [Those Who Love Timbuktu] had provided much of the grooving soundtrack to life over the past 10 years. Then came the rebellion, coup d’etat, fundamentalist takeover and more.  This crisis had driven members of the group to refugee camps in neighboring countries.  IMARHAN TIMBUKTU continues to create riveting music, music that affirms a culture under siege.

Grounded in traditional Saharan repertoire, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU developed their own unique sound as witnesses to the incredible political forces shattering their world. The group’s leader, Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar, takes IMARHAN TIMBUKTU into a swirl of rhythmic variations. Backing him is younger brother, Ousmane Ag Oumar, while underneath the insistent tende hand drumming of their sisters, Fadimata Walet Oumar and Zeinabou Walet, establish the foundation.  This is dance music.  It is protest music. Featured artist at such events as the legendary Festival au Desert along with their sister group, TARTIT, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU have toured Europe and North America bringing contemporary Tuareg music to world audiences.  

During the March 2014 US tour, Fadimata will be unable to be with the band due to an injury.  But a unique and very special collaboration has been planned for the SXSW concerts.  IMARHAN TIMBUKTU will be backed by SIHASIN the young Navajo rock band from Arizona. This collaboration brings together the American and Saharan deserts in a relationship begun in 2003 when the Navajo performed in Timbuktu. The friendship and solidarity between these bands promises to generate an unforgettable performance. 
 

IMARHAN TIMBUKTU’s March 2014 tour schedule:

March 13 Thursday at Austin Psych Fest, Hotel Vegas 9pm www.texashotelvegas.com Austin, Texas
March 14 Friday @ International Day Stage Austin Convention Center 2pm www.austinconventioncenter.com/ Austin, Texas
March 14 Friday at globalFEST, Speakeasy 9pm www.speakeasyaustin.com/‎ Austin, Texas
March 15 Saturday at Sahara Lounge Unofficial Showcase 6pm www.saharalounge.com Austin, Texas.
March 17 Monday The Mothlight 9:30pm www.themothlight.com Asheville NC
March 18 Tuesday at Balliceaux 9pm Richmond, Virginia
March 19 Wednesday at Bossa Bistro 8:30pm Washington, DC
March 21 Friday BSP Lounge 7:30pm www.bspkingston.com Kingston New York
March 23 Sunday NYC To be announced

IMARHAN TIMBUKTU announces their upcoming US concert tour beginning with four showcases at the SXSW Festival in Austin Texas on 13-15 March 2014 and the worldwide release of their debut international CD “AKAL WARLED” on 18 March. 

At dance clubs and private parties in Northern Mali, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU [Those Who Love Timbuktu] had provided much of the grooving soundtrack to life over the past 10 years. Then came the rebellion, coup d’etat, fundamentalist takeover and more.  This crisis had driven members of the group to refugee camps in neighboring countries.  IMARHAN TIMBUKTU continues to create riveting music, music that affirms a culture under siege.

Grounded in traditional Saharan repertoire, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU developed their own unique sound as witnesses to the incredible political forces shattering their world. The group’s leader, Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar, takes IMARHAN TIMBUKTU into a swirl of rhythmic variations. Backing him is younger brother, Ousmane Ag Oumar, while underneath the insistent tende hand drumming of their sisters, Fadimata Walet Oumar and Zeinabou Walet, establish the foundation.  This is dance music.  It is protest music. Featured artist at such events as the legendary Festival au Desert along with their sister group, TARTIT, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU have toured Europe and North America bringing contemporary Tuareg music to world audiences.  

During the March 2014 US tour, Fadimata will be unable to be with the band due to an injury.  But a unique and very special collaboration has been planned for the SXSW concerts.  IMARHAN TIMBUKTU will be backed by SIHASIN the young Navajo rock band from Arizona. This collaboration brings together the American and Saharan deserts in a relationship begun in 2003 when the Navajo performed in Timbuktu. The friendship and solidarity between these bands promises to generate an unforgettable performance. 
 

IMARHAN TIMBUKTU’s March 2014 tour schedule:

March 13 Thursday at Austin Psych Fest, Hotel Vegas 9pm www.texashotelvegas.com Austin, Texas
March 14 Friday @ International Day Stage Austin Convention Center 2pm www.austinconventioncenter.com/ Austin, Texas
March 14 Friday at globalFEST, Speakeasy 9pm www.speakeasyaustin.com/‎ Austin, Texas
March 15 Saturday at Sahara Lounge Unofficial Showcase 6pm www.saharalounge.com Austin, Texas.
March 17 Monday The Mothlight 9:30pm www.themothlight.com Asheville NC
March 18 Tuesday at Balliceaux 9pm Richmond, Virginia
March 19 Wednesday at Bossa Bistro 8:30pm Washington, DC
March 21 Friday BSP Lounge 7:30pm www.bspkingston.com Kingston New York
March 23 Sunday NYC To be announced

IMARHAN TIMBUKTU announces their upcoming US concert tour beginning with four showcases at the SXSW Festival in Austin Texas on 13-15 March 2014 and the worldwide release of their debut international CD “AKAL WARLED” on 18 March. 

At dance clubs and private parties in Northern Mali, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU [Those Who Love Timbuktu] had provided much of the grooving soundtrack to life over the past 10 years. Then came the rebellion, coup d’etat, fundamentalist takeover and more.  This crisis had driven members of the group to refugee camps in neighboring countries.  IMARHAN TIMBUKTU continues to create riveting music, music that affirms a culture under siege.

Grounded in traditional Saharan repertoire, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU developed their own unique sound as witnesses to the incredible political forces shattering their world. The group’s leader, Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar, takes IMARHAN TIMBUKTU into a swirl of rhythmic variations. Backing him is younger brother, Ousmane Ag Oumar, while underneath the insistent tende hand drumming of their sisters, Fadimata Walet Oumar and Zeinabou Walet, establish the foundation.  This is dance music.  It is protest music. Featured artist at such events as the legendary Festival au Desert along with their sister group, TARTIT, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU have toured Europe and North America bringing contemporary Tuareg music to world audiences.  

During the March 2014 US tour, Fadimata will be unable to be with the band due to an injury.  But a unique and very special collaboration has been planned for the SXSW concerts.  IMARHAN TIMBUKTU will be backed by SIHASIN the young Navajo rock band from Arizona. This collaboration brings together the American and Saharan deserts in a relationship begun in 2003 when the Navajo performed in Timbuktu. The friendship and solidarity between these bands promises to generate an unforgettable performance. 
 

IMARHAN TIMBUKTU’s March 2014 tour schedule:

March 13 Thursday at Austin Psych Fest, Hotel Vegas 9pm www.texashotelvegas.com Austin, Texas
March 14 Friday @ International Day Stage Austin Convention Center 2pm www.austinconventioncenter.com/ Austin, Texas
March 14 Friday at globalFEST, Speakeasy 9pm www.speakeasyaustin.com/‎ Austin, Texas
March 15 Saturday at Sahara Lounge Unofficial Showcase 6pm www.saharalounge.com Austin, Texas.
March 17 Monday The Mothlight 9:30pm www.themothlight.com Asheville NC
March 18 Tuesday at Balliceaux 9pm Richmond, Virginia
March 19 Wednesday at Bossa Bistro 8:30pm Washington, DC
March 21 Friday BSP Lounge 7:30pm www.bspkingston.com Kingston New York
March 23 Sunday NYC To be announced

IMARHAN TIMBUKTU was formed in 1993 by Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar El Ansari, known as M’ed Issa. Since 1995, the group has toured throughout the North and South of Mali. They have appeared annually on the stage of the Festival au Desert and have performed in Europe and the North America. The group’s name "Imarhan" means "those who love" in Tamashek, the Tuareg language. By adding “Timbuktu”, they demonstrate their strong pride in their legendary home town. The core members of IMARHAN TIMBUKTU are Mohamed Issa, his brother, guitarist Ousmane Ag Oumar El Ansari, and their two sisters, percussionists and backup vocalists Fadimata Walet Oumar [known to all as “Disco”] and Zeina Walet.

The album title, "Akal Warled" (Foreign Country), speaks about exile and the hardships endured by the Tuareg refugees currently living in the camps of Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Algeria. These refugees want to return to live in peace in their northern Mali homeland. The five diamond design found on the cover of the disc is symbolic of Tuareg women. It is known as the Khoumeïssa. Often found in silver jewelry, it is used as an ornament and also as a good luck charm. By choosing this typically feminine emblem, IMARHAN TIMBUKTU brand the substance of their artistic identity: a tribute to Women.

Mohamed Issa started to play guitar Touarègue in the early 1990s. His musical beginnings reveal the deeply sentimental and romantic nature of his creative process.  Indeed, M’ed Issa began to scratch the guitar because he was passionately in love with a woman. But his dilemma was that she was married.  His guitar then became his consolation, a way to ease the pain and tame the wait. Thus, he played all the time thinking constantly of the day when his beloved would be free.  Although in time his heart was liberated, this story permanently marks his artistic identity as well as the creative force of M’ed Issa’s lyrics.

Today, Mohamed Issa is a reference point in contemporary Tuareg Music. His songs speak of love, unity, the desert and its cultures and traditions. IMARHAN TIMBUKTU is committed to themes of development, education and preservation of important cultural values within a community that strives to keep its ancestral identity intact while accepting and integrating the modern world.