TINARIWEN

Tinariwen (“empty places”) formed in 1982 under of Touareg people who were taken into Gaddafi’s army. They play “the music of the unemployed” and cover the subject of independence of their people from the government of Mali.  Just like ‘Assouf’, the name which the Touareg themselves often give Tinariwen’s guitar style. ‘Assouf’ means the blues, loneliness, heartache, longing, homesickness, the darkness beyond the campfire. ‘Imidiwan’ means friends, companions, soul-brothers, fellow travelers. The juxtaposition of these two words is particularly striking. Maybe Tinariwen are coming in from the cold and recognizing all those soul-friends, both living and departed, who have made their incredible journey bearable, whilst warming their hands over the camp fire and looking up at the night sky thick with stars. To hear their stories and music you can visit their Myspace page here Tinariwen.