Ahmed Gallab

  • Ahmed Gallab

  • Who is Ahmed Gallab?

    A brother, a boyfriend, a son, a lover of food, a Sudanese-American, a citizen of the world.  ( Franny note: When I met Ahmed a few years back he was a session musician for the band, Yeasayer, before leaving them them to start his own band, Sinkane.)


    What did you want to be when you grew up?

    I always wanted to play music. Ever since I played my first show when I was 12 years old. It’s always been my dreams and I am absolutely happy doing what I do.


    How did you get to be where you are?

    By saying yes A LOT. Doing it for free. Going into debt. Doing the job that no one else wanted to do. Being assertive and driven. Holding myself accountable always. All this in hopes of connecting with people and learning from one another. I love connecting with people from all over the world. It makes this all worth while.

    Ahmed Gallab

  • If you could go back in time and give your 16-year-old self some advice what would it be?

    You will never be more free than you are now. Stop being so scared of everything! Just have fun!


    If the cupboard in your bedroom would lead you to another world what would your Narnia look like?

    It would look like the Moss Eisley cantina in Star Wars nestled on a beach. Everyone there would be a foreigner. That would be the one thing that everyone has in common. People from all walks of life. The music would be colorful and the food would be vibrant.


    By day you are a….? By night you are….? 

    By day: Musician

    By night: Musician (haha!) I DJ loads as well! Come see me sometime!

    Ahmed Gallab

  • What was one of your favorite past projects?

    Leading the Atomic Bomb! Band was my greatest accomplishment to date. It was so much fun playing with my best friends as well as meeting new people who were also so connected to the music of William Onyeabor. I never thought that I would share a stage with David Byrne, Damon Albarn, Pharoah Sanders or Jamie Lidell. I now consider these people friends. The memories are so fantastic and the challenges have made me a better person. I am thankful to Yale Evelev and Eric Wells Nystrom for asking me to be involved in the project.


    What are you working on now and what do you dream of happening in the future?

    I’m now working on another album. The follow up to 2014’s “Mean Love”.  I’m having a blast writing new music! I can’t wait to share it with everybody once I’m finished!


    What song do you love that you keep secret cause its too embarrassing to say publicly you like it? 

    I’m really not that embarrassed about my musical taste. It’s ok to like The Spice Girls I think. I mean… If I don’t then who will? …. Right?

    Ahmed Gallab

  • Which version of “ I know it is gonna happen” do you prefers.  Bowie or Morrissey’s ?

    Probably not the right time to say this but I like Morrissey’s version much better. RIP Bowie.


    Are you a morning person or night person?

    Morning person. I love the ritual of getting up, drinking coffee and getting to work.


    Any advice for peeps just starting out?

    BE YOURSELF! DONT BE SCARED!

     

    Is there a quote or mantra you live by?

    Jesus wasn’t born in a day.

    Ahmed Gallab