Bedouine on the Strangeness of Arab Life Outside the Middle East

The Lead

Bedouine, whose real name is Azniv Korkejian, has released her fourth album, Neon Summer Skin, which recreates a perfect day from her childhood and explores themes of displacement, identity, and insecurity.

Bedouine's Background and Inspiration

Korkejian's family are Armenian, but she and her parents were born in Syria, while her brothers were born in Saudi Arabia, where the Korkejians lived until 1995. That year, they successfully applied for the green card lottery and relocated to the US.

The Album's Themes and Sound

Neon Summer Skin is inspired by her parents' second exit from Saudi Arabia and explores themes of displacement, identity, and insecurity. The album features a deceptively soft sound of 1970s-style MOR pop.

The Personal Stories Behind the Songs

Korkejian shares personal stories behind the songs, including 'Canopies', which retells how her mother was placed in an orphanage for children of the Armenian genocide by Korkejian's grandmother.

The Impact of Displacement

Korkejian discusses the impact of displacement on her life and music, saying 'You escape the slaughter, but there's a long tail of sadness, to be parted from people and places that mean so much to you.'

The Future of Bedouine's Music

Korkejian plans to exhibit her parents' old photos, from when they lived in Syria and Lebanon, to humanize people from the Middle East and challenge common perceptions.