Member Since: 5/24/2006
Band Website: karimfanous.com
Influences: AC/DC, Oasis, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, The Black Crowes, Indigo Girls, Robert Johnson + Blues Music, Del Amitri, Steve Honest
Sounds Like:
Sophisticated lyrics, a powerful, soulful voice and polished guitar work have earmarked Karim as a burgeoning British musical talent. Born in Saudi Arabia, he moved to London with his family when he was six. His subsequent immersion in British culture and love of the UK is reflected in songwriting that sees him mix a wide range of influences with a very British musical psyche.
Karim's sound and lyrics mirror his spiritualism, with tracks that are soul-searching, dreamy and largely about his experiences with life and love. His formative musical influences range from blues to rock, folk and pop, and he quotes Britpop as his spiritual becoming. This is not to ignore the extensive classical music training which has given Karim a treasured understanding of "all things musical".
Unlike most artists that are solely influenced by their musical peers,Karim's song ‘Perfume’ is a take on Patrick Suskind’s book of the same name and is a tale of being a prisoner of one’s own desire. As a former philosophy student, he certainly has an interesting perspective on what he wants his music to achieve. In a live environment is where this is most notable, of which he says, "To connect with the crowd is the most important thing. When the audience associates with what I’m singing about it’s the biggest rush in the world and so beautiful because it is so inclusive. The real excitement for me is the connection with people and creating a feeling between yourself and the crowd, so the song can do what it was written to do".
"Fanous has a seemingly natural ability to emote with sensitivity and clarity - he wears his heart on his sleeve." Toxic Pete
"Always a class act, Karim." Peter Coulston, Seatwave.com Live Review
WINNER of UK NEW MUSIC AWARD 2007 :
BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER
YOUTUBE CHANNEL : CLICK HERE
Type of Label: None