Sandmoon
Lebanese outfit Sandmoon offers an original take on indie pop-rock, infusing it with subtle Middle-Eastern intonations and melancholy, and a certain timelessness. Singer-songwriter Sandra Arslanian, who initiated the project, was born in Lebanon, raised in Belgium and has Armenian roots – a contrasted blend that is perceptible in the music.
Who is/are the human(s) behind the Artist/Band Sandmoon ..?
The artist and the human are intertwined. We, as humans, are born artists. Then life happens… Some remain artists, others lose their artist touch (until they find it again). I am grateful that I kept the touch. Besides music, I love filmmaking – I am a documentary filmmamker as well; I love my dog Mao, sports & well-being, series and books, Chinese food…
Do you remember your first steps in music?
When I was around 11 or 12, I used to write small melodies on the piano. My mom would scold me and tell me to go back to Mozart or Beethoven. But I just kept on…
"Where do we go from here" sounds amazing, what's the story behind it?
My mom. When we’re lost, we turn to someone we trust to guide us. When that person we trust the most is lost due to a mental condition like Alzheimer, she can no longer guide us in the real world; yet she guides us within, to our hearts. ‘Where Do We Go from Here’ was written during the first COVID-lockdown, when no-one really knew what was going on. We were all pretty much lost.
Spending a lot of time with my mother - who has Alzheimer’s, entering her world where facts and figures don’t matter, where emotions are the center of everything, took me on a journey within and made those tumultuous times more bearable.
What's in your opinion the most difficult part concerning songwriting?
There’s nothing difficult really. You are either inspired or not. And if you are, it should flow. The thing is, you are not always inspired…
What can our readers expect from your upcoming Album?
Delicate sounds and the unexpected.
Being an artist in Beirut is ....?
Beirut is an inspiring place. It is anything but constant. There is always something happening, good or bad. The energy is intense. You always feel on the verge of something. A good place to write songs. But not so many possibilities to expand as it is a small place with a small audience.
Do your fans have the chance to see you somewhere live on stage?
On occasion. Hopefully more to come.
What's your most useful talent besides music?
Filmmaking
Your "All time Top 3 Songs" are ... right now, in this second?
One more cup of coffee – Bob Dylan
Wild is the wind – Nina Simone, covered by David Bowie
Diamonds & Rust – Joan Baez
What can we expect from you in the near future?
A precious album…
