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Emel Mathlouthi Joins The Ground Control Touring Roster

Posted 10/17/2018

Ground Control Touring is pleased to welcome Emel Mathlouthi to its artist roster. Emel represents a unique voice in the modern, music landscape, combining vocal melodies grounded in traditional North African and Arabic folk music with western electronic rhythms and instrumentation. Comparisons to contemporaries such as Bjork and Nine Inch Nails have been made, yet Emel maintains a style which is distinctly her own. It is a style which has been showcased in global events such as WOMAD, Australia’s MoNA FOMA and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert.

Her latest album was released on Partisan Records. Ensen was recorded in seven countries with numerous producers including Valgeir Sigurðsson (Sigur Ros). “It took a couple of years to realize the visions that were popping up inside me,” Emel says. “I faced resistance from people wanting to keep me confined to an ‘ethnic box’ and trying to limit my creative freedom.” Ensen encompasses pieces inspired by the dark and dramatic music of Forest Swords, Ben Frost or James Blake alongside sounds and instrumentation of the indigenous cultures of her native Tunisia. Listening to the album, it is clear to hear Emel’s uncompromising approach to songwriting. Her live performances are just as unrestrained and indefinable.

2019 will be a big year for Emel. Stay connected to all her upcoming events and news via her artist page.

Photo credit: Julie Goldstone Koch.