Spotlight On: BEDOUINE

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SHERO IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

The Bedouin are a nomadic people of the Middle Eastern deserts, including North Africa, the Arabian peninsula, Egypt, Israel, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. As a woman who came from an Armenian family that moved from Syria to Saudi Arabia, then the United States, and even then, relocated a few times before settling down in Houston, Texas, Azniv Korkejian couldn’t have chosen a more fitting moniker. Bedouine, spelled with an “e” is the feminized take, and perhaps even a play on words, a nod to heroine. The music Azniv writes and performs as Bedouine travels too, but more through time than space, with a transportive 60’s and 70’s folk vibe - more Laurel Canyon than Syrian desert. Her stunning self titled debut arrived in 2017, followed by Bird Songs of a Killjoy in 2019, and a string of beautiful covers in 2020, including a recent collaborative take on Big Star’s “Thirteen” with Waxahatchee and Hurray for the Riff Raff. 

Our playlist features new music from British guitarist and songwriter Nilufer Yanya, German duo Haerts, and Mexican newcomer Silvana Estrada. Plus we celebrate two milestone SHERO Birthdays this week: Mary J. Blige (who turns 50 on 1/11) and Joan Baez (who turns 80 on 1/9).

The Radio SHERO of the week is Ida Hakkila from my home station Radio Kingston (WKNY, Kingston, NY) who helps to close EP9 with her guest DJ Pick:  “Steal” by Maribou State featuring Holly Walker.