Name: Desdes
Brand: Awalom Gebremariam

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

atfa020cd

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2016-04-22

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Cargo

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

751937436126

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

atfa020lp

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751937436119

{"blocks": [{"data": {"text": "751937436119"}, "type": "paragraph"}]}

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Awalom Gebremariam

Genre GB

African

Label GB

Awesome Tapes From Africa

<p>Awesome Tapes From Africa is a record label that was founded by [a3963487], who developed a deep love for the cassette culture of West Africa while on a Fulbright scholarship in Ghana. Inspired by the diverse genres and unique sounds found in recordings from this region, Shimkovitz started a blog and record label to share his passion for this music with the world. Much of the music released by Awesome Tapes From Africa remains undiscovered outside of West Africa, making it an invaluable resource for exploring and appreciating the rich musical heritage of this vibrant part of the world.</p>

At the age of 28, Awalom Gebremariam arrived in the United States, following a years-long journey from Eritrea. He'd made it to a refugee camp in Ethiopia several years ago and eventually attained asylum status for passage to America. But before he left his hometown, Eritrea's capital Asmara, he made his first and only recording so far, Desdes. In 2006, Awalom began to teach himself two of Eritrea's most recognizable and important folk instruments, the wata and the krar. Although they have roots in traditional music, they are heard in most Eritrean folk and pop recordings. 

Awalom completed Desdes in 2007, not long before he departed Eritrea. Because Awalom left after the recording he never received any money for cassette and CD sales. But he also didn't get to find out how much of an impact the songs have had locally. His songs appear to focus on love, but Awalom isn't speaking about romantic love per se. Much of the music Awalom heard growing up was intertwined with Eritrea's difficult and contentious split from Ethiopia. In 2012, during a trip to Switzerland to help promote a film about biking in Eritrea, ATFA was given a copy of Desdes by fixed-gear bicycle athlete Patrick Seabase, the documentary's protagonist. Seabase gave a copy to ATFA founder Brian Shimkovitz as a gift and it later appeared on the ATFA blog.

A few years later Shimkovitz was contacted by some agencies in North Carolina, where Awalom had settled. Through a translator very one decided to work together on a reissue of his recording. It took many months to source a clean master but now the album is ready and Awalom's goals are clear. He spent years waiting for the chance to escape economic and political turmoil at home. Now 29 and living in North Carolina, he works in a restaurant and plans to bring his music to Eritrean communities across North America as well as newer listeners with whom his powerful sounds and remarkable journey will deeply resonate.

Desdes

Music GB