By stepping away from commercial music, the artist pursues cross-border acoustic improvisation
Musician Kawol SamarQandi is charting an uncompromising path away from the commercial music industry, dedicating his creative practice to the creation of what he terms non-nationality “poor” music. Rather than relying on commercial production standards, SamarQandi's lifework centers on radical simplicity and immediacy, constructing compositions through raw improvisation using only his voice and guitar.
This deliberate retreat from mainstream industry apparatus has not narrowed his artistic scope; instead, it has expanded his cross-border collaborations. Working across cultural and geographic borders, SamarQandi frequently creates and performs alongside his creative partner, Mary Meacha Goldfish. Goldfish, an artist who advocates for “tinnitus music” and has released solo mini albums, joins SamarQandi in their collaborative performance duo known as REFUGEES.
In April 2024, SamarQandi received an invitation from the Sharjah Art Foundation in the United Arab Emirates. The residency framework provided an international platform for his minimalist craft, featuring solo performances, collaborative concerts as REFUGEES, and specialized workshops. That same month, independent label Ramble Records released his CD album, “Noli me tangere,” further documenting his evolving acoustic language.
SamarQandi’s global trajectory continued into autumn 2025, when he and Meacha visited Athens, Greece, to stage joint performances. That momentum anchors his vinyl record release, “energeia,” in December 2025. The project captures his tactile acoustic sensibilities in a unique setting, having been recorded on location within a historical site in Sharjah.
Looking ahead to July 2026, SamarQandi plans to sustain his commitment to unadorned sonic exploration. Continuing his dedication to non-nationality “poor” music, he will remain focused on spontaneous performance, relying exclusively on his voice and guitar strings to communicate across borders without commercial compromise.
SamarQandi's rejection of commercial production models demonstrates how independent musicians can thrive by paring their tools down to fundamental elements. His cross-border collaborations highlight that deep artistic connection often relies on raw, intimate acoustic dialogue rather than industry infrastructure.
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