WOMAD Preview: Mdou Moctar, Hendrix Of The Sahara

The shifting sands of the Sahara desert have birthed many wonders that have impacted the world: fierce nomadic tribes, sandstorms, the richest man in history Mansu Musa, and even the long-lost city of Atlantis (according to this recent Newshub report). But perhaps most importantly, some of the most innovative and influential musicians the world has ever seen in the form of the Tuareg “Desert Blues” or “Saharan rock” tradition. In recent years, one name has traveled on the wind further and faster than any other from that tradition: Mdou Moctar. In fact, the Guardian has billed him as ‘the Hendrix of the Sahara’. He more than backs up this claim with his searing guitar solos in live performances and a prolific amount of recordings. We are blessed to have Moctar and band grace our shores for WOMAD 2023 this year.

If you saw Tinirawen at WOMAD a few years back (or read our preview piece), then you will have an idea what a treat this performance will be. Following in the trail blazed across the desert to the world by those pioneers of the genre, the 37-year-old Tuareg guitar sensation Mdou Moctar from Niger is leading the new generation taking the form of desert rock to new heights. He’s far less restricted by the bounds of tradition and up for more experimentation with electronics and leans a lot more into the psychedelic rock genre, all delivered with real Hendrix-esque virtuoso control of the guitar. But at its heart, his music is still true to its roots in the vibrant, soulful, and hypnotic ethno-religious trance music tradition of the Tuareg or Tamashek Culture.

Also known as Desert Blues, this music has roots in the North and West African traditions that were exported with slaves to influence the blues in America. So his proposed connection with Hendrix is deeper than it seems. No imitator, he is part of a rich musical tradition of Niger, a landlocked Saharan nation that is informed by a rich array of musical forms from both Africa and the Arabic world. Oh and he’s also left-handed... But It's Moctar's unique take on this Tuareg guitar tradition that's really set him apart. With his lightning-fast fingerpicking, virtuosic solos, propulsive rhythms, and hypnotic psychedelic sound, Moctar has become one of the most sought-after guitarists in the world, and a true ambassador for the sound of the Sahara.

Mdou Moctar emerged from humble origins, born in 1986 in the town of Tchintabaraden where traditional Tuareg music was popular. He started playing the guitar at a young age, but first heard Hendrix's music when aged 10 he stumbled upon a cassette tape in a local market and was immediately drawn to the sound. Moctar told Pitchfork that Hendrix's music had a profound influence on him and inspired him to pursue his own career as a musician. However, he faced opposition from his heavily Muslim family and community who did not initially support his interest in music. Due to this, he had to build his first guitar himself from scavenged wood and bicycle parts, and secretly form a band with his friends, playing at weddings and other local events. Moctar persisted and eventually gained wider recognition both in Niger and internationally for his unique blend of traditional Tuareg music and Western rock influences.

His first songs were shared peer-to-peer across the desert in an entirely awesome way unique to this nomadic Tuareg culture, via Bluetooth swaps between mobile phone data cards (at times even by camel). His music first started reaching Western audiences through projects like the amazing curators of the music from Saharan cellphones compilation series which featured one of Moctar’s songs - ‘Tahoultine’ from his first album Anwar. Anwar wasn’t even officially released; instead, it spread across the continent in this customary way.

Moctar's influence goes far beyond his impressive chops on the guitar. In a region that's often been beset by violence, instability, and political turmoil, Moctar's music stands as a beacon of hope and resilience for many younger Tuareg and other Saharan, and African youths. His lyrics often deal with themes of love, unity, and social justice, and he's never been afraid to use his platform to speak out against the injustices he sees around him. His music and work shares this strong political and social message with both Tinariwen and Hendrix. Mdou Moctar has also, often cited Tinariwen as a huge influence on his music. In an interview with The Guardian, he said: "Tinariwen paved the way for the new generation. They showed us that you can use rock music to talk about the Tuareg community."

Moctar has also become a symbol of the power of DIY music-making in the digital age. He first gained international attention through a series of homemade recordings that he distributed on the internet (and by bluetooth), and he has continued to use digital platforms to reach new audiences and build a global following.

In short, Mdou Moctar is a force to be reckoned with - a master guitarist, a powerful lyricist, and a true ambassador for the sounds and cultures of the Sahara. In a world that's often divided by borders and boundaries, Moctar's music reminds us that the power of art knows no borders, and that the most desolate landscapes and precarious Cultures on the periphery of our commercial world like the Tuareg can give rise to some of the most beautiful and inspiring sounds the world has ever known.

It is difficult to pinpoint just one of his songs to highlight, as Mdou Moctar's music has been prolific and consistent in its quality throughout his career. However, "Tarhatazed" from his album "Ilana: The Creator" (2019) is my favourite, and widely seen to be a standout track that showcases his virtuosic guitar playing and unique blend of styles. The song has been described as "mind-bending" and "transcendent" by critics, and I would have to agree. It definitely has the feel of Hendrix’s transcendental style to it, with liberal use of the fuzzy wah distortion pedal and a psychedelic video to match. It has helped to cement Moctar's reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative musicians working today.

"Tarhatazed" apparently tells the story of a young Tuareg woman named Tarhata who fell in love with a man who was not from her tribe. In Tuareg society, this was considered taboo, and their love was forbidden. Despite the obstacles, Tarhata and her lover continued to see each other in secret, until one day they were caught by Tarhata's family. In the end, the two lovers were tragically separated, and Tarhata was forced to marry someone from her own tribe.

The actual story of the Legend of Ilana is the creation legend of Tuareg culture and this gives an insight into the religious and transcendental aspects of Moctar's music. According to the legend, Ilana is the mythical figure who created the world and all living things. The Tuareg believe that Ilana is responsible for bringing order to the universe and maintaining the delicate balance between the natural and supernatural worlds. The legend of Ilana has been passed down through generations of Tuareg storytellers and is still an important part of Tuareg cultural identity today. This theme also likely hints at the fact that Moctar’s music is self-consciously born from this delicate balance between the forces of chaos and order and therefore at its best moments can transcend the natural and supernatural.

Mdou's most critically acclaimed album, however, is "Afrique Victime" (2021), which received widespread critical praise for its innovative blend of Tuareg guitar music, psychedelic rock, and political commentary. The album has been described as a "tour de force" and "one of the most vital rock albums of the year" by music critics. The title track is a song of protest against the exploitation and mistreatment of Africa and its people by colonial powers and corrupt governments. The lyrics denounce the violence, poverty, and displacement that many Africans (and especially nomadic peoples) face as a result of these systemic injustices. The song's title can be translated as "Africa the Victim," which reflects the theme of victimisation and powerlessness in the face of historical and ongoing oppression. However, the song also celebrates the resilience and strength of Tuareg and African people, who continue to resist and fight for their rights despite the odds against them.

Musically, "Afrique Victime" features Mdou Moctar's signature blend of traditional Tuareg music with elements of rock, funk, and blues. The song's hypnotic guitar riffs and driving rhythm reflect the urgency and passion of the lyrics. The album also features a collaboration with famed American jazz musician, Jamie Saft.

With the guitar kung-fu and creativity he has displayed Moctar is unsurprisingly a pretty sought-after collaborator, and has worked with several Western artists. Some of his notable collaborations include American rock band Deerhunter, The American indie rock band Algiers, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, and Jamie Saft. Acclaimed British electronic musician Four Tet, also produced an epic remix of Moctar’s popular song "Kamane Tarhanin" in 2020.

Finally, Back to a much more analogue vibe, here is a video from way back in 2016 of Mdou jamming the song Tahouline, sitting acoustic sitting cross-legged on the ground with his bros Ahmoudou and Mahmoud on guitar and djembe in a Tuareg-style tent singing about beautiful girls. You can just feel how this is essentially where his crazy life journey started - and now it's bringing him all the way to Taranaki.

Tahouline ("to all the beautifull girls"):

To all the beautiful girls in the land

beauty is not enough, you must accompany it with a good heart.

It's like the devil came with a scale...

to weigh my love against all of my doubts.

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