Yemen Blues are steeped in the hypnotic pulse of ancient traditions while boldly venturing into blues, jazz, and even hip-hop. Their sound is as multifaceted as the cultures that fuel it.

‘Only Love Remains’ is their most daring statement to date, a record forged in the heat of the moment, emerging from sketches and intuitive impulses rather than rigid blueprints. Ravid Kahalani’s voice carries the weight of countless generations, resonating and murmuring through soundscapes artfully shaped by avant-garde virtuoso Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz.

This music defies borders, where time-honored tradition collides with experimental spirit, and deep spirituality intertwines with emotion. Yemen Blues summon something profoundly human. Forget genre labels—Yemen Blues have crafted their own ecosystem, a swirling, visceral ritual where the echoes of the past and the rhythms of the future dance in perfect harmony.

“Music definitely has the power to bring people together”

I hear elements from Bedouin folk to blues, jazz, and even hip-hop. What’s the process like when you’re coming up with a new track? Do you start with a specific feel, or do things just naturally evolve?

Not sure what Bedouin folk is, but the process is different every time. ‘Only Love Remains’ was recorded differently than how we worked in Yemen Blues in the past years. We had seeds of ideas, the band played around with them, and when there was an instrumental version of a structure, I went to the mic and sang ideas as lead vocals. Then we chose the best vocal ideas together, and I wrote the lyrics.

‘Only Love Remains’ is such an emotionally charged album. Can you talk about the balance between the visceral, direct emotions and the more spiritual, enigmatic elements in the music?

This album was made with big, hard emotions and decisions, just after October 7 and the start of the war in Israel. Bringing our American bassist Shanir Blumenkranz to record in TLV was a challenge. We considered recording the album somewhere else in the world since we are based in several places. But in the end, we recorded in TLV, under war alarms and the sound of missile thunder between takes.

<a href="https://yemenbluesofficial.bandcamp.com/album/only-love-remains">Only Love Remains by Yemen Blues Official</a>

It’s hard to create together, but it’s also the most beautiful way of exchanging. So, like the love that remained in us, which allowed us to create together, there was only one answer to the war and everything happening in the world—Only Love Remains.

The song ‘Miss Ballad’ is a beautiful tribute to your daughter, Eli. How does being a father influence your songwriting?

I was never a regular father. But Eli has brought blessings and miracles into my life since she was born, in many ways. It has also brought a sense of maturity.

The video for ‘Miss Ballad’ was shot on an iPhone and created with everyday items from a Japanese dollar store. Was this a deliberate decision to keep the process intimate and personal?

This was all Shanir’s idea. He had a mystery story in his head, and we just did what he told us to do. No one really knows what’s behind the story.

You’ve spoken about the cultural challenges Eli faces growing up in Finland. How do your personal experiences with cultural identity and belonging inform the way you approach storytelling in your music?

I wish people had fewer preconceived ideas about things around them and allowed everything to teach them what it is that stands before them—rather than seeing things the way they want before knowing anything about people, things, politics, or anything else.

In music, everything is about love, in many stories, developing and celebrating the growth of different cultures that are made from each other.

You’re spread out across the globe, with members living in different countries. How does that distance affect the way you collaborate, both musically and creatively? Do you ever face challenges with being so spread out?

There is never a challenge. There is a time for everything. We try our best—the rest is with God.

Your music has been described as a “color-blind celebration of gyrating togetherness.” In today’s divided world, do you feel that music like yours has the power to unite people, even if just for the duration of a song or a concert?

Yemen Blues music has been unifying people for more than a decade, on a very big scale. We will continue doing it. Music definitely has the power to bring people together. A wise man told me yesterday: “After they are tired of fighting, they will turn to musicians for answers.”

This is a great period for music to be created.

You’ve worked with some pretty heavy-hitters in the world of avant-garde and jazz, like John Zorn and Yo-Yo Ma. How do those experiences shape your work with Yemen Blues, and what do you think you bring to the table that’s unique to the band?

Shanir Blumenkranz worked with John and Yo-Yo Ma. Yemen Blues did not. But we have collaborated with many great artists. It always takes you to new places, and that’s the reason to do it.

“Whatever was created was the result of love”

You’ve mentioned that ‘Only Love Remains’ is a mix of both emotional and spiritual exploration. How does the concept of love, in all its forms, tie the album together for you personally?

Whatever was created was the result of love—finding love, choosing love. Just with different stories.

What’s next for Yemen Blues after this tour? Are there any new directions you’re thinking of exploring musically?

Yes, there are plans for some heavy-hitter collaboration recordings. We will keep touring, spreading music, and enjoying it as much as possible. Personally, I think this is one of the strongest bands out there. I’m proud and honored to be singing with these giant musicians.

As a band with such a global presence, do you think that living in different parts of the world influences the way you approach creating music? How do cultural influences from different places inform your sound?

There are no rules. Nothing is difficult if you accept it. It is just interesting.