Members of the band Sera, including, from left, Thing, Nora, Hayahusca and Meesh take a selfie during an interview with ‘The Associated Press’ in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. file | Photo Credit: AP

Leaning towards the microphone in the Saudi Arabian capital, Nora let out a primal scream. During a recent show, he was on set with his bandmates, with guitars playing and drums beating behind him.

The performance of Sera, an all-female psychedelic rock band that blends traditional Arabic melodies with the resurgent psychedelia of bands like Tame Impala, would have been unimaginable in the states just a few years ago.

But as Saudi Arabia has liberalized some aspects of its society, Seera represents the way women are now finding their voice and the arts in a country long associated with ultraconservative Islam and strict separation of the sexes. Expressing herself through.

“We didn’t know how people would react,” said the band’s bassist Meesh, who like the other members asked not to be identified by their stage names. “We strongly believe in self-expression. “We were surprised that they actually had open arms for us.”

multiple meanings

The band’s name, Sera, may mean “life” or “biography” in Arabic. The band members say they try to incorporate multiple meanings of a word in the language into its sound, whether through driving drums and cymbals or synthesizers supporting the guitars.

Sira’s musical style revolves around the life experiences of the band consisting of four members, all of whom are citizens of Saudi Arabia. They sing in the Saudi Arabian dialect of Arabic, while the drummer Thing wears a traditionally embroidered red face covering.

“I thought it would be a reflection of culture, heritage and roots,” he said. “At the same time it will be a great representation and expression of the intersection between traditional and modern. It’s also within our sonic identity.”

Cera is quick to point out that they are not the first all-female band in the state. Instead, they say it goes to The Accolade, who formed in 2008 and could only play underground. Things have changed fundamentally in the state in recent years. In 2018, women got the right to drive. Movie theaters and other entertainment centers opened. Women are no longer required to wear a fully covered black abaya.

Clear limits on speech and any political activity still remain in place in the tightly controlled state. But in the arts sector, Saudi Arabia is slowly opening up, as seen in Sira’s show at The Warehouse, a live music venue in Riyadh’s Diriyah neighborhood, earlier this month.

There, dozens of youths wearing leather jackets and black rock T-shirts were dancing and swaying to the music. The fashion choices were similar to any other punk show in a club in the West, although there was no smoking or alcohol in the Dry Kingdom.

“Things have definitely gotten better, towards inclusivity and a broader perspective and in a broader way,” Ms Thing said.

Cera plans to release her debut album later this year. He has also booked his first international concert in Dubai, where he will get his first chance to perform outside Saudi Arabia.

Ms Nora said she wanted the band to be “an inspiration to the younger generation” to express themselves. “As long as you’re not harming anyone, it’s OK to look, act, behave however you want,” he said.