American Nomad Music

If you’ll indulge me for a sec I have a story I’d like to share. The other day after American Nomad’s show at University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley a nine-year-old-boy came up to me with his father and shook my hand. “Thanks so much for playing.” he said. “How much for a CD?” He went over to his dad for some money.
“Keep the change.” he said after handing me a $20. His dad laughed and nodded his head.
The boy looked me in the eyes and reached out to shake my hand again. “You rocked it man.” he said candidly.
“Aww. Thanks. so much for saying that.” I responded, touched by his words. I saw a light in his eyes that I recognized in myself when I first started playing. “Do you play music?” I asked him knowing the answer was yes before the words left my mouth. Only a little musician in the making would act like he did after a show.
“Yes. Clarinet.” he replied shaking my hand for a third time. At this point my friends at the show and his dad were laughing.
“Practice everyday and let me know when you want to open up for us.” After a barrage of music related questions, his dad pulled him away. I had made a new buddy. Something about that moment stuck with me. The kid was genuinely inspired by music I made. How cool is that? Isn’t that what it’s all about? Someday I believe that boy will be on stage and will inspire many people with his music. Just a gut feeling. Keep an eye out. The wheel keeps on turning. Thanks for indulging me. Have a great Monday folks!

Hey all,

I’m excited to say that I hit my crowd funding goal! Sending out a deep and humble thanks to everyone who pitched in to help make this little dream of mine a reality. Special thanks to Faith Adiele, Marisa Belger, Kayli De Saussure, and the Flux Foundation. I truly am a lucky boy. I send the manuscript to my publisher June 1st. Hoping to get the book out in the Fall. Stay tuned for info down the road. Feeling the love…

Hey all.

Here is a link to a recently launched a Kickstarter to get support for a memoir I’ve been working on. Today is day one of a 30 day campaign to raise $3,000. I have till April 22nd to meet my goal.

I’ve been working towards getting this book out in the public for a long time and could use your help with this kickstarter to get me past the last step… publishing. It’s been about five years in the making. The book started as a blog about my cross-country road trip and evolved into a nearly 200-page memoir. It chronicles a period of time I spent with Flux Foundation building a lovely 37-foot fire breathing metal art sculpture named FIshbug and overcame a life threatening spiritual and creative block. Working on this metal art sculpture with an amazing community alongside actually writing my story, helped me work through depression and all the triggers I’d been stumbling over for a long time. It also helped me understand the complex emotions I have from growing up without my father, racism endured due to my Arab heritage, and much more. I have shared quite a lot about myself in this book that I kept bottled up inside for a long time. Writing it all down has been extremely liberating. So much can happen in our lives that it’s easy to get caught up and not take the time to examine life events closely. If you have a sec, please check out this kickstarter and give what you can. If you wouldn’t mind sharing it with friends or family that’d also be huge. Thanks everyone.

Hey all. I’ve got some exciting news to share. I’ve been working on a memoir about how I got to the Bay Area from Boston, overcame my writer’s block, and started American Nomad. I’ve been writing this for the past 5 years and it’s finally done! Poetic Matrix Press has agreed to publish it too. I’ve got a little blurb about the book below along with a link to my recently created Facebook page. Thanks all. I’ll be putting out more info soon.

Composing Temple Sunrise: Overcoming Writer’s Block at Burning Man is an inspirational coming-of-age memoir about a 26 year old songwriter looking to refuel his creative energy. Triggered by the Great Recession of 2008, Hassan El-Tayyab loses his special education teaching job in Boston and sets out on a cross-country adventure with a woman named Hope Rideout, determined to find his lost muse. His journey brings him to Berkeley, CA, where he befriends a female metal art collective constructing a 37-foot Burning Man art sculpture named Fishbug. What follows is a life-changing odyssey through Burning Man that helps him harness his creative spirit, overcome his self-critic, confront his childhood trauma, and realize the healing power of musical expression.

https://www.facebook.com/composingtemplesunrise

This is quite the honor! Tupelo Honey from KRVM named 1849 as the best Americana song of 2014! Read below to see the whole list.

Best Americana Songs 2014
#1 1849 – American Nomad – Country Mile
#2 Wind And The Sand – The Blushin’ Roulettes – Old Mill Sessions
#3 America Religious – Caroline Rose – I Will Not Be Afraid
#4 Atlantic Winds – Jonah Tolchin – Clover Lane
#5 In Control – Greensky Bluegrass – If Sorrows Swim
#6 All Or Nothin’ – Nikki Lane – All Or Nothin’
#7 Lucia – Hiss Golden Messenger – Lateness of Dancers
#9 Old Shirt – Kerri Powers – Kerri Powers
#9 Nothing To Me Now – Bahamas – Bahamas is Afie
#10 This Sure As Hell Ain’t My Life – Billy the Kid – Horseshoes & Hand Grenades