Fans of FKA Twigs and Aaliyah Won’t Want to Miss Rising Songstress Sevdaliza's Mar 24 Gig

While we at the Beijinger were surprised that rising Iranian-Dutch alt R&B singer Sevdaliza declined our interview request, we were all the more taken aback when the promoter told us she also wouldn’t make time for Vice, Hypebeast, and other outlets in Beijing. Although she’s been gaining serious buzz for her 2017 debut LP, ISON, Sevdaliza is by no means a household name, leading one to assume she might need the publicity ahead of her Mar 24 performance at Omni Space in Beijing. However, potential hints about that reasoning might be found in a January 2017 social media post, where she detailed writing and recording her first song in Farsi, “Bebin”, which was an anthem against President Trump’s travel ban on Muslims. At the time she explained:

I wrote 'Bebin' in Farsi, to solidify. I stand strong with love. In this case, I choose to avoid mainstream media because I have no interest in part taking in a victimized concept. Take this message without lights, camera, action. I am solely a messenger.

Such bold words would leave one to believe Sevdaliza craves direct contact with listeners at least in that case, without the sensationalism or diluting elements that the media is occasionally guilty of. It’s a sentiment that clearly coincides with the mystique in her music. Much of  ISON is stark and downbeat not only in terms of instrumentation but also in Sevdaliza’s hushed vocals. However, that doesn’t mean the LP is moody or melancholy – unpredictable changes in rhythm, off-beat synth shakeups, and pointed lyricism all keep listeners on their toes, even as the melodies and vocals remain alluringly catchy at their core. That means Sevdaliza’s songs straddle the accessibility of smoldering '90s R&B by the likes of Aaliyah with more experimental contemporary works by FKA Twigs or Kelela. Her political pop song inclinations, meanwhile, could endear her to fans of MIA.

That means Saturday's gig will hold a wide appeal. And while we wish we could’ve convinced her to answer at least a couple of our burning questions, Sevdaliza’s seeming commitment to mystique is yet another reason why we’re intrigued by this promising young star to be.

Sevdaliza will perform at Omni Space on Mar 24 at 8.30pm. Tickets are RMB 300 presale, RMB 250 at the door. For more information, click here.

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