The Review - MUSIC - grooves with ROISIN GADELRAB Published: 18 September 2008
Karim Fanous: ‘I was always a dreamer’
Talented Karim takes a shot at the big time
Karim Fanous on philosophy and why he was targeted by armed police
APART from the time he was chained up in Clerkenwell House of Detention, then held at gunpoint by armed police, Karim Fanous has led a charmed life.
And this 30-year-old singer-songwriter is well aware of how lucky he is. Instead of feeling the need to portray himself as a struggling musician, he’s allowed himself to be comfortable with his background – growing up in Kensington – and his songs soar with the resulting freedom.
Until now, Karim’s lyrics have been introspective and emotional rather than commentaries on the state of the world.
Moving from Saudi Arabia to Kensington at the age of six, he soon realised how important it was to have a close family around him.
Karim, who was last year named Best Singer at Glasswerk UK New Music Awards, is about to embark on a political awakening.
His new single Architect’s Son – inspired by two of his father’s buildings – differs greatly from his album.
He said: “The album was about life and love, up-beat pop with ballads. This new stuff is more deep. I’ve always been against politics in music. It can be so phoney. But now I think it’s about your own development.
“Now I feel this whole current, where’s the kindness gone? The manners? The commercialisation and dumbing down of life qualities lead to different sets of values. We just want big screens and PlayStations, we’re not interested in kindness. My song London Loves You is about my love for London – and my increasing disillusionment.”
Karim first got into music when listening to a battered radio in Riyadh.
Thanks to his father, he fell in love with the blues, and learned to play the harmonica. He picked up a guitar aged 15, then discovered AC/DC, and later Oasis, The Black Crowes and the Indigo Girls.
He studied philosophy and psychology at university, eventually joining a band.
He said: “I was always a dreamer, but philosophy gave me this hunger to analyse everything, not just thought systems but beauty, state of mind, love, tragedy. That really helps with songwriting. I’ve been nurtured by my parents who are quite philosophical.”
Karim filmed his first video for Perfume in Clerkenwell House of Detention.
But, after their spooky night, events took an unexpected turn. As they loaded their car up, a group of armed police pulled up.
“They had their hands on their holsters,” said Karim. “It turned out a neighbour thought we were robbing the place.”
• Karim Fanous plays Tommy Flynn’s, Camden High Street on Wednesday September 24, admission £5 with flyer, and The Spice of Life, Moor Street, on Friday, October 24, admission £5.
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