Saudi band brings together aspiring artists, fans with online music store

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Named after the band that founded it, Earth Tones is an online shop that sells instruments, CDs, albums and anything related to music. (Supplied)
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Named after the band that founded it, Earth Tones is an online shop that sells instruments, CDs, albums and anything related to music. (Supplied)
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Named after the band that founded it, Earth Tones is an online shop that sells instruments, CDs, albums and anything related to music. (Supplied)
4 / 4
Named after the band that founded it, Earth Tones is an online shop that sells instruments, CDs, albums and anything related to music. (Supplied)
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Updated 01 February 2024
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Saudi band brings together aspiring artists, fans with online music store

JEDDAH: On the surface, Earth Tones is an online shop that sells instruments, CDs, albums and anything related to music. It is owned by Rayan Jubehi, Abdullah Al-Humaid and Ahmed Edrees. But the Jeddah-based store is more than a music retailer — it is a haven for artists and enthusiasts alike.

“We all have a deep passion for music, which is what initially brought us together. We discussed how we could support the expansion of the music scene in the city and how offering albums and instruments for fair pricing may help with that,” Edrees told Arab News.

When Earth Tones was first launched, its founders were merely a band that wanted to be involved in the community. They enjoyed performing cover songs at local events that brought people together.

“We play mostly rock and pop music because it’s the easiest for everyone to jam along with. But every now and then we throw in some jazz and blues to those who know how to play along,” Al-Humaid said.

After a while, they decided to open the store, demonstrating their abilities and encouraging people by using their musical talents as a tool of marketing. Jubehi and Al-Humaid split the guitar and bass duties, with Edrees handling the drums.

“After inspiration struck, Rayan took the initiative to construct Earth Tones store, which was then displayed in Jeddah in June last year with all of us at each other’s sides,” Al-Humaid added.

Earth Tones is a store where customers can find fair and reasonably priced classical LPs, CDs and cassettes from their favorite musicians to listen to at home or add to their collections. It sells a wide range of genres, including R&B, soul, vintage Arabic music, rock in all its forms, modern and classic hip-hop, and much more.

“Though we are a business with a primary goal of selling musical products, we care the most about the music community. With a direct partnership with Monochrome Community, we’re able to hold events where people are able to try out instruments and listen to music with us in person,” Jubehi told Arab News.

Monochrome Community creates events in Jeddah that bring together local companies and vintage store owners.

On the kinds of clientele Earth Tones attracts, Al-Humaid said: “People of all backgrounds come to us, but the one thing they have in common is their shared love of music. The ages of our customers ranges from 16-30 because those are mostly the people who attend the events to see us.”

The music store is especially great for beginners, Edrees added.

“For people who are looking to start practicing an instrument and are looking for the best prices in the market, Earth Tones is the best place to start. Since all of our instruments are second hand, we’re able to sell them at an affordable price suitable for beginners.”

In addition, Earth Tones is an ideal location for musicians to network and try out new musical genres. With a drum kit, guitars, and bass available, people can perform live and enjoy jam sessions, which is the main purpose of Earth Tones.

“We are a business first and foremost but we love being a band as well because it really helped grow our community to what it is today,” Jubehi added.


‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates parallels of Saudi and Iraqi cultures

Updated 19 December 2024
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‘Common Ground’ festival celebrates parallels of Saudi and Iraqi cultures

  • The festival showcases the identity and culture of Saudi Arabia and Iraq through a variety of activities, including art, music and folklore

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s culture ministry launched the “Common Ground” festival on Wednesday, celebrating the similarities between the rich cultural heritages of Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Organized by the ministry, “Common Ground” is a showcase of the identity and culture of Saudi Arabia and Iraq through a variety of activities, including art, music and folklore.

The ministry announced the launch on its social media account on Wednesday, inviting residents to “explore and celebrate Iraqi culture and the historical and cultural bonds between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Iraq through art, music, storytelling and more.”

The festival, which runs through Dec. 31, is being held at Mega Studio in Boulevard City in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

The agenda features an array of events, including an artistic evening and a tribute to writer Kareem Al-Iraqi, who died last year, whose contributions to art and literature are noted. His works ranged from novels, plays and songs to television programs and screenplays.

The opening night of the second edition of this unique cultural event featured a set of songs by reknowned Iraqi singer-songwriter Kadim Al-Sahir.

The first day features a diverse program celebrating Iraqi culture, with several seminars discussing the heritage of Saudi Arabia’s Middle Eastern neighbor.

There will also be over 100 works from Iraqi and Saudi artists at the festival.

Separately, on Wednesday, the Iraqi Prime Minister Shia Al-Sudani was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Al-Ula, one of the Kingdom’s top cultural destinations, as the two leaders discussed regional events.


Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan

Updated 19 December 2024
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Saudi aid agency KSrelief launches pediatric surgical program in war-ravaged Sudan

  • Medical team assesses 15 children and carries out 7 successful operations during first few days of the project, which is staffed by volunteers

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief this week launched a volunteer pediatric surgical program in the Sudanese city of Port Sudan.

By Wednesday, the medical team had assessed 15 children and carried out seven successful surgeries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Sudan is locked in a civil war between two rival factions of the country’s military government that began in April 2023. It has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced about 12 million people.

The conflict has also had a devastating effect on healthcare, with more than two-thirds of major hospitals in out of service, according to the World Health Organization.


Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy

Updated 18 December 2024
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Riyadh governor receives newly appointed Palestinian envoy

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Palestine to the Kingdom Mazen Ghoneim in Riyadh on Wednesday.

During the meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, and Prince Faisal wished the ambassador success in his new duties, Saudi Press Agency reported.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Baha Gov. Prince Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz met with Ambassaor of India to the Kingdom Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan to discuss topics of mutual interest.
 


Saudi, Australian defense ministers meet in Riyadh

Updated 18 December 2024
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Saudi, Australian defense ministers meet in Riyadh

  • Prince Khalid, Richard Marles discuss latest developments in region

RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman on Wednesday received his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, at his office in Riyadh.

The pair discussed relations between their countries as well as the latest developments in the region, including efforts to support security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

A number of other senior officials from the two sides attended the meeting. Marles is also Australia’s deputy prime minister.


Riyadh events industry conference draws to a close

Updated 18 December 2024
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Riyadh events industry conference draws to a close

  • Industry leaders highlight investment opportunities
  • 3-day summit saw numerous deals agreed

RIYADH: Experts in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector spoke to Arab News about the need for international collaboration and local investment on the last day of industry talks in Riyadh.

On the final day of the International MICE Summit on Tuesday, business leaders highlighted how the booming industry offered unique opportunities for job creation and investment.

The three-day event covered sector-related issues and hosted the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding.

Six Saudi ministers took part in IMS24, which was organized by the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority. A total of 20 speaking sessions and 19 workshops were held, and eight MoUs signed.

IMS24 also witnessed companies including RX Global, Messe Munich, and Clarion announce the opening of new offices in Saudi Arabia, in preparation for 12 new events due to start in 2025.

Faisal Al-Rajhi, CEO of Almatar Travel Group, told Arab News that the Kingdom’s hosting of numerous exhibitions and conferences in recent years had helped it become a pioneering destination for the MICE industry.

Exhibitions and conferences were boosting job growth and offering local investors the chance to gain valuable insights from international experts, he added.

Mansour Al-Jabarty, CEO of YNZ, said IMS24 was an ideal platform for those seeking to gain expertise in the field and held exceptional significance given Saudi Arabia’s prominence in hosting such events.

Bilal Al-Barmawi, CEO and managing director of 1st Arabia, stressed the importance of building partnerships to increase MICE capabilities, while Ahmed Al-Saif, chairman of Max Group, added local investment in the sector had become an urgent necessity for companies seeking to go global.

The MICE segment was a key driver of economic growth, and the Saudi market was now an attractive destination for foreign investment, he added. This would not have been realized without the boom in exhibitions and conferences that the Kingdom has witnessed in recent times.