Join Hancher's Micah Ariel James and Chuy Renteria for a conversation with musician Alsarah about her work as a singer, songwriter, bandleader, and somewhat reluctant ethnomusicologist. Hancher’s Embracing Complexity project takes a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to building understanding of contemporary Islamic cultures and Muslim identity.

Born in Khartoum, Sudan, Alsrah relocated to Yemen with her family before abruptly moving to the USA, finally feeling most at home in Brooklyn, NY where she has been residing since 2004. She is a self-proclaimed practitioner of East-African Retro-Pop music. With her main outfit, Alsarah & the Nubatones, she has released 2 full-length albums titled Silt, followed by Manara (Wonderwheel Recordings, 2014 and 2016). She has also released 1 full-length album with French electronic producer Débruit titled Aljawal (Soundways Recordings, 2013). And she was featured on the Nile Project‘s debut CD, Aswan (named in the top 5 must hear international albums by NPR, 2014).