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

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

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.


Saudi crown prince extends condolences to Kuwaiti counterpart on death of Sheikh Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah

Saudi crown prince extends condolences to Kuwaiti counterpart on death of Sheikh Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah
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Saudi crown prince extends condolences to Kuwaiti counterpart on death of Sheikh Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah

Saudi crown prince extends condolences to Kuwaiti counterpart on death of Sheikh Mohammed Abdulaziz Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of condolences to Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on the passing of Sheikh Mohammed Abdulaziz Hamoud Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah.
In the cable, the crown prince extended his deepest sympathy to Sheikh Sabah and the family of the deceased.

Saudi tech diplomat meets Iraqi PM to discuss digital cooperation

Saudi tech diplomat meets Iraqi PM to discuss digital cooperation
Updated 25 November 2024
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Saudi tech diplomat meets Iraqi PM to discuss digital cooperation

Saudi tech diplomat meets Iraqi PM to discuss digital cooperation
  • Deemah Al-Yahya, head of the multilateral Digital Cooperation Organization, commended Iraq’s investment in human capital as driver for growth and expansion of digital economy
  • Iraq has been working in recent years to develop a strategy for digital transformation to help support the private and public sectors and grow the economy

RIYADH: Saudi senior tech diplomat Deemah AlYahya, the secretary-general of the multilateral Digital Cooperation Organization, held talks on Monday with Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, about support for Baghdad’s plans to develop its digital business and artificial intelligence sectors.

They discussed Iraq’s strategy for digital transformation, and the need to create and develop a workforce with the tech skills required to help grow the Iraqi economy effectively, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Though Iraq is not a member of the DCO, an international body that focuses on the digital economy, Al-Sudani said his country is keen to work with the organization to meet the nation’s needs for a skilled workforce in the business sector.

AlYahya commended Iraq for the progress it has already made in terms of investment in the human capital needed to develop the digital skills that are essential to drive growth in a digitized economy.

Iraq has been working in recent years to develop a strategy for digital transformation to help support the private and public sectors and grow the economy. Authorities this month organized the first Digital Space Iraq Forum, which focused on the use of advanced technologies, including AI, to help build a comprehensive digital economy.

The DCO says that since it was founded in November 2020, it has been at the forefront of efforts to curate policies and initiatives to support the digital economy in several countries. Currently, 16 nations are members, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh and Oman. It also has 39 observer partner organizations.

DCO member states have a collective gross domestic product of $3.5 trillion and serve a combined market of nearly 800 million people, more than 70 percent of whom are under the age of 35.


Saudi FM pushes for regional stability at G7-Arab foreign ministers meeting

Saudi FM pushes for regional stability at G7-Arab foreign ministers meeting
Updated 25 November 2024
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Saudi FM pushes for regional stability at G7-Arab foreign ministers meeting

Saudi FM pushes for regional stability at G7-Arab foreign ministers meeting
  • In his address, Prince Faisal highlighted the ongoing crises in Gaza and Lebanon

RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan took part in an expanded session of the second meeting between G7 foreign ministers and their counterparts from Arab nations on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The meeting was hosted in Italy under the theme “Together for the Stability of the Middle East.”

The session, which addressed pressing regional and international challenges, was held with the participation of Saudi, Jordanian, Emirati, Qatari and Egyptian officials, as well as the secretary-general of the Arab League.

In his address, Prince Faisal emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships to address these challenges effectively.

He highlighted the ongoing crises in Gaza and Lebanon, urging the international community to act immediately to secure a ceasefire, facilitate unrestricted humanitarian aid, and progress toward establishing an independent Palestinian state.

He also called for respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty, and renewed international efforts to resolve the crisis in Sudan and alleviate the resulting human suffering.

The meeting was also attended by Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdul Aziz, Saudi ambassador to Italy, the SPA reported.


Scientists awarded for sustainable water innovation at Saudi conference

Scientists awarded for sustainable water innovation at Saudi conference
Updated 25 November 2024
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Scientists awarded for sustainable water innovation at Saudi conference

Scientists awarded for sustainable water innovation at Saudi conference
  • Research aims to improve desalination efficiency
  • Makkah’s deputy emir in attendance

JEDDAH: Scientists were awarded prizes for their work in researching desalination and wastewater treatment technologies during an event in Jeddah on Monday.

The third edition of the Innovation-Driven Water Sustainability Conference was attended by 480 experts, scientists, researchers, specialists and 40 leading organizations in the water sector, from 20 countries.

The grand prize — the Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination 2024 — went to Lee Nuang Sim from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University for his project “uncovering the power of centrifugal reverse osmosis,” and Sue Mecham, CEO of NALA Membranes, for her project “chlorine stable new membranes for sustainable desalination and wastewater treatment/reuse.”

Visitors attend the third Innovation-Driven Water Sustainability Conference in Jeddah on Nov. 25, 2024. (Supplied)

Mecham, from North Carolina, US, spoke to Arab News after receiving her award, saying: “We are honored to be selected for the Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination 2024. Our mission is to bring new membranes to market and reduce the cost and complexity of water purification.”

Meanwhile, Saudi Ghadeer Al-Balawi from the University of Tabuk was another one of this year’s prizewinners with her project “novel heterogeneous catalysts for improving wastewater treatment plants in Saudi Arabia.”

Al-Balawi told Arab News: “I am incredibly honored to be one of the recipients of the Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination 2024. This recognition means so much to me. This project has been conducted at the University of Sheffield with hard work and dedication with the assistance of my supervisor, Dr. Marco Conte.”

The event’s opening ceremony was attended by Makkah Deputy Emir Prince Saud bin Mishal and Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, as well as other senior officials.

Following the opening, Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim, chairman of the Saudi Water Authority, said that the event reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to promoting scientific and research innovation as a pillar for achieving water sustainability and security.

Through the conference, the SWA aims to share the impact of innovation in promoting the sustainable supply of water, according to SWA spokesperson Sultan Al-Rajhi.

“This conference discusses the latest global practices and innovative solutions in the water industry, with the participation of experts, scientists and specialists, who emphasize the pivotal role of innovation in accelerating the future prosperity of water and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for water and the environment,” he said.

The two-day conference will continue to feature discussions on more than 180 research papers, as well as a water hackathon organized by the Saudi Water Innovation Center.

 


PSC members visit Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh

PSC members visit Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh
Updated 25 November 2024
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PSC members visit Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh

PSC members visit Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh
  • The EU and the GCC held a political dialogue session, co-chaired by Pronk and Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC

RIYADH: Members of the EU’s Political and Security Committee, including its chair, Ambassador Delphine Pronk, and ambassadors of EU member states, paid an official visit to the Gulf Cooperation Council headquarters in Riyadh on Monday.

The delegation was accompanied by the European External Action Service Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa Helene Le Gal, and EU Special Representative for the Gulf Luigi Di Maio.

The EU and the GCC held a political dialogue session, co-chaired by Pronk and Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary-general of the GCC.

The two parties discussed matters of mutual interest and the need to increase joint efforts to tackle global challenges.

This included the situations in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, Gulf security and Iran, maritime security in the Red Sea region, Iraq, Sudan and the Horn of Africa, as well as Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The committee delegates and the GCC also agreed on strengthening the EU-GCC regional security cooperation.

The political dialogue constitutes an important step forward following the successful first EU-GCC Summit in Brussels on Oct. 16.