Updated 25 July 2023
Band name: Autostrad
Band members: "Avo Demerjian
Yazan Sarayrah
Bashar Hamdan
Yazan Al Rousan
Burhan Al Ali
Mohannad Shwayat"
Founded in: 2007
Origin: Amman, Jordan
Genre: Alternative rock, Reggae, Funk, Indie
Biography & Career
Autostrad, a Jordanian indie band hailing from Amman, was formed in 2007 and has since become a significant presence in the music scene. The original lineup featured talented musicians such as Avo Demerjian on bass guitar and vocals, Bashar Hamdan on saxophone and keyboard, Hamzeh Arnaout on guitar and vocals, Wisam Qatawneh on keyboard and vocals, Yazan Al Rousan on guitar and main vocals, and Burhan Al Ali on drums and vocals. Over time, there were some changes in the band's lineup, with Hamzeh Arnaout and Wisam Qatawneh leaving, and Yazan Sarayrah (guitars) and Mohannad Shwayat (keyboards) joining in. Presently, the band comprises Avo Demerjian, Bashar Hamdan, Yazan Al Rousan, Burhan Al Ali, Yazan Sarayrah, and Mohannad Shwayat.
Autostrad's music is an amalgamation of rock, reggae, Latin, and funk, accompanied by their own lyrics penned in the Jordanian dialect. Their songs are reflective of everyday life in Jordan, touching upon themes of love, struggle, financial challenges, drug abuse, and self-discovery. The band's popularity among Jordanian youth stems from their ability to capture the essence of daily life in the country through their music. Autostrad has released four studio albums: "Fi Autostrad" (2008), "Autostrad" (2011), "Nitrogen" (2013), and "Turathi" (2017). The band has also made significant appearances beyond Jordan, including a tour in London in 2014, marking their first international performance outside the Arab World. They have been featured on various television shows, notably Ro'ya TV and the Egyptian show "Al Bernameg" hosted by Bassem Youssef. Additionally, Autostrad has participated in several RedBull SoundClash concerts, with their first one in 2015 against the Jordanian band El Morabba3.
Autostrad songs:
- Kol Ma Goolt" (كل ما قولت)
- "Sukkar, Sukkar, Sukkar" (سكّر سكّر سكّر)
- From the album "Autostrad" (2011):
- Habibi" (حبيبي)
- Sukoon" (سكون)
- "Shoukran" (شكراً)
- "Amaroun" (عمرون)
- From the album "Nitrogen" (2013):
- "Balad Al-Mahboub" (بلد المحبوب)
- "Yalleh Bina" (يلّي بينا)
- "Rakset Sha'abiyeh" (رقصة شعبية)
- "Beb Al-Nar" (باب النار)
- From the album "Turathi" (2017):
