Phoenician Drive & Go Mahh

Phoenician Drive is a sextet formed in Brussels in 2016, a mix of rock and traditional music where the oud, derbuka, and other percussions confront distortions and pop sounds. In the footsteps of previous East-West musical blendings from the 70s such as Erkin Koray or Orient Express and un- der the influence of the German kraut-rock scene (Neu!, Can, Faust, ...).

In 2017, their debut EP ‘Two Coins’ was released on EXAG’ Records (EU) and Stolen Body Records (UK) and gained significant attention on the rock and world scenes. Then, in 2018, Phoenician Drive released their self-titled debut album on Exag’ Re- cords & SK Records and also had the opportunity to collaborate with the renowned Belgian contem- porary dance choreographer Wim Vandekeybus by writing the score for his show «Trap Town».

In the spring of 2019, the group decided to take a step back and work on an acoustic live show in order to return to the very roots of their approach and revisit their electric songs. The band toured exclusively with this acoustic format in 2021 and 2022.

Early 2021, Phoenician Drive started working on electric songs again with a new band member, drummer Jérémie Mosseray (Belgistan, Bernard Orkestar, Applause). These sessions gave birth to a new EP called «Glow». It was recorded and produced in Brussels in 2022 by Tom Stadnicky and to be released in spring 2023 on EXAG’ Records.

This new EP, lifted by vocals and more luminous and dancing colors, is nonetheless a direct reaction to the troubled context of the last two years of confinement and isolation. Hence the title ‘Glow’: a call for emancipation, generosity and all forms of freedom.

GO MAHHH are a Berlin-based five-piece band of international musicians who have been making a name for themselves in the local psych-rock scene this past year. Their road has led them to play shows all over Germany and beyond, even landing an opening slot for Frankie and the Witch Fingers. In August, the band celebrated the release of its debut EP by playing to a sold-out crowd.

Those who have witnessed one of GO MAHHH’s electric live performances will not see four men and a woman go through the motions with paint-by-numbers psych rock fare. Sure, some of the boxes are ticked: loud fuzz guitars, lyrical non-sequiturs, even one or two power chords. However, lift up the rock and you’ll find all manner of exotic critters hiding beneath. Motorik Mantras? Yep! Middle Eastern scales? You betcha! Afrobeats? Hell yeah!

The band specialise in rare, infectious dance grooves; unpredictable, genre-bending freakouts and heavy, heavy riffs. This is universal psych rock music with heart, brains and most importantly soul.