Ilo Toerkell: Lana Lubany, on the title track of your new EP YAFA, you feature your grandmother’s voice. What was that experience like?
Lana Lubany: It was a very beautiful writing process. I initially had the idea to make a more traditional-sounding song fully in Arabic. I remember writing the first verse by myself, and then I called Ben (my collaborator) to come and create the song with me. It was very ethereal and atmospheric from the start, which led me to remember I had a video of my teta talking about her life – and I had to add it to the song. I was already crying while watching the video, but then hearing her voice in the song for the first time was so emotional. Every time I would hear the song since, I would cry. It is very special.
You mentioned that in your musical journey, you were first into mainstream pop music and didn’t think of Arabic music as representative of you. Has that changed? What influences are currently shaping your sound?
Yes definitely. Growing up I told myself I didn’t like Arabic music, but as I’ve accepted my identity, my love for Arabic music grew. I think the lack of representation in the media that I consumed growing up made me feel like I couldn’t become who I wanted to be if I wasn’t like the pop stars that I was seeing out there. I was led down the path to becoming the representation I needed when I was younger. Now, my influences come from all over. Arabic music, jazz, and folk music that my grandma introduced me to, on top of anything that I think is cool. I can find inspiration in anything.
Anger As A Source of Power
On “SET HER FREE!” you sing: You don’t wanna see the real me, “Cause she’s angry, And you set her free”. Can you share some context to the song?
I initially wrote this song about my noisy neighbors upstairs and then ended up giving it a deeper meaning. Sometimes that happens in my process. I was mad one day because their water leaked into our apartment and they acted like it wasn’t them when I told them about it. So I ended up letting my frustration out by writing “SET HER FREE!”. To me, the song became about embracing anger as a valid emotion and a source of power.
There’s freedom in letting go of what people expect you to be and choosing to live authentically, even if it makes others uncomfortable.
Your music and your shows create space for the in-betweeners, as you called it. What is it like to perform live for you? And what kind of reactions do you get from your audience?
Performing live is where I get to connect to my audience the most – it’s where I get to see who listens to my music and how we all come from different backgrounds and experiences but feel like we belong in the room altogether. Seeing their faces and hearing them sing along reminds me that I’m not alone in this journey. People tell me they feel seen and understood, which is exactly what I hope for.
In The New Exchange interview, you spoke about seeking community and how that search is echoed on record, from you singing alone on the opener to being accompanied by several voices on the closing track. What does community look like to you? Have you gotten closer to finding it?
Community, to me, is about connection and mutual support. It’s not necessarily tied to one place or group—it’s about the people who make you feel like you belong. I’ve definitely gotten closer to finding it. My journey as an artist has introduced me to so many people who share similar experiences, and through my music, I’ve been able to create a sense of community, even if it’s virtual or at my shows. I love singing with my fans because it brings us closer and creates beautiful moments that can’t be replicated.
YAFA by Lana Lubany is out now via AWAL Recordings. Stay up to date with Lana Lubany via her Instagram and catch her live in Berlin on November 30th.