Shamstep

On a cold night in September 2015, this relatively unknown (at the time) group delivered a glorious, fiery performance at La Vitrola, despite two members (half of the group) having been barred entry into Canada due to visa refusals. The music they played that night, all tracks from this unassuming five-track EP, stands as a testament to the folly of geopolitical and cultural boundaries. All members of the group have Palestinian roots but hold different passports. Their electro-synthesized update of dabke, which they have termed shamstep, contains a powerful message of reclamation and resistance.