Tag: opinion

The Nomad’s Dream: Heartbreak, Healing and Homecoming

Posted on | by

For many, the search for belonging is a lifelong one, and it may take thousands of minutes, miles and moments to find home. In his 2023 Album Amén: የዘላን ህልም (The Nomad’s Dream) Berhana chronicles his journey home to Ethiopia, and every emotional discovery he makes along the way. 

Amaine Berhane, known as Berhana, is an American singer-songwriter who grew up in Atlanta. Berhana grew up in an Ethiopian family, and felt connected to his culture although until 2019 he had never been to Ethiopia. Berhana grew up around music and was always interested, using it as an outlet for his feelings. While attending film school in New York, Berhana continued making music, releasing his self-titled EP in 2016, with the song  “Grey Luh” getting featured on the show Atlanta. Berhana has grown larger and larger following the release of his first album HAN in 2019. Berhana Released Amén on October 20th of 2023, and the album chronicles his homecoming to Ethiopia and his journey of self exploration. 

The Album opens with “Amén,”  a track that sets the tone and overall concept of the album. We hear a young Amaine listening to music in his room, while his mother knocks on his door and tries to get his attention. However she is ignored while both him and the listener prepare to go on the journey through the album. “Gone (Abebe Bikila)” is the first track, and first single from the album. The song references Abebe Bikila who was the first Ethiopian athlete to win gold at the olympics; a marathon runner who famously ran without shoes. 

Berhana Laments that he too has lost his shoes, and that he hopes to win back the love of a woman he lost, against his friends suggestions not to. We then move into “Like a Habit” — the second single off the album — where Berhana continues to wonder about the nature of his relationships. 

When the music video premiered on YouTube, I had the chance to ask Berhana what inspired his work on this album, and what themes he wanted to explore. He responded that his “Inspiration was the past 3 years,” and that he hoped to explore “Individuality and Acceptance.” The themes are clear throughout the album, as you hear his doubt come through on the first two tracks as well as “Tanuki,” “Someday,” and “Don’t Go.” The theme of doubt also mixes with acceptance throughout, as you hear him accept his circumstances in songs like “Break Bread,” “WOW!” “Honeycomb” and “Going Home.”

The album, coming in at a brief 26 minutes, has an accompanying short film titled “The Nomad’s Dream.” The 15 minute film puts visuals to six songs off the album and tells the story of Amén. Berhana wanted to create the short film to give people another way to interact with the message on the album, in hopes that it would help it stick better with his audience. 

Coinciding with the new album’s release, Berhana has also embarked on a tour. While the tour is limited to 9 dates, he will be visiting Chicago in April, for a show you will not want to miss. 

Amén: የዘላን ህልም (The Nomad’s Dream) is a beautiful journey about returning home and accepting oneself. Released in 2023 by Berhana, the album manages to explore multiple themes and moves through many beautiful sounds, even if confined to a brief albeit jam-packed 26 minutes. 

Women in Music: Who is the greatest of all time?

Posted on | by and

Sophia’s take: Who is the greatest ever woman in music? 

This is like one of those questions you don’t ask people. It stirs up so many different opinions. It could potentially end friendships. It could draw people to hate each other. A lot of people have it wrong. But there is a correct answer. And that correct answer is Amy Winehouse. She is my queen, and she reigns superior. Everything from her voice, her lyrics to her idgaf personality — the woman is perfect. 

I fell in love with Winehouses’ grit, that people would sell their souls to have. She’s honest, maybe a little too honest where I’m like ‘woooahhhh AMY! Have you been watching us…’ She is also jewish, so maybe I just saw myself in her. Her best album has to be Frank. But Back to Black is a close runner-up. Lioness: Hidden Treasures also holds a special place; it is hard to rank perfection! Frank takes the cake, the cookies and the fruit leathers for me. Frank is the perfect mix of jazz, r&b alongside beautiful vocals and a non-linear story of real and raw life experiences from Amy’s point of view. What more are we gonna ask for? Nothing, we’re not selfish when it comes to Amy. 

She set a precedent for music in the early 2000s and has inspired present day stars like Gaga, Billie Eilish and Lana Del Ray baby! Her sound is timeless and to me, will reign forever. So that’s my take. She is such a powerhouse, still and her legacy lives on. Her fans love her honesty, her beautiful voice and how she mixed together so many genres to create her own sound. She is such an important figure in the music industry, even after the way it treated her. She went through so much, and her music still stands so strong. Not to mention she is HAWTTTT!!!! She really deserved better, that queen. It is so sad, but her music makes such an impact on lovely and hot people who really appreciate her.  Keep streaming Miss Amy’s music. Let’s see what Zoey’s take is… Nincki? 

Zoey’s take: Who is the greatest woman ever in music? 

I am going to rattle a lot of people’s rib cages when I say who I think is the leading woman in music. I really don’t want to say it because right now the backlash  would be really hard for me. I have so many people that look up to me including a beautiful purebred German Shepherd that sniffs to kill. He loves Gwen Stefani. When Hollaback Girls shuffle on you could get a limb taken out with how fast that tail is moving. I like to play along with him and say she is my queen, but in the back of my mind I’m asking “where are the hits”? Once I say who takes the cake, things will change. Here’s the thing about cake: there are only so many slices. I went to a cheap wedding recently. Only like 30 people went and I didn’t even know the bride or groom. I just followed the stench. When they started cutting up the small cake from Walmart I realized that the cake is so small that once they get to me I’m probably only going to get a sliver. But I was wrong. I didn’t get any. I got escorted off the premises. 

Gwen is a powerhouse, she’s an icon and she is the moment. Her girl band, No doubt, eats and slays the house down. She started a punk revolution in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Yes, she is a bit problematic. We can laugh it off HAHAHAH! But her music and bops can make up for some insensitive things she has done… She can be a lot it’s true. Her fans love her because she is a personality, a mother, a leader and an impressionable artist from her surroundings. That’s my girl. That’s my LUXURIOUS!