Do stories sculpt us, or do we craft the stories? It’s likely a dance between both. In the story of artist Kurran Karbal, his biography reads as a mélange formed with threads of melancholic and fateful experiences—experiences that unveil their profound impact only through personal encounter, including his battles with cancer. “To face your own death is a gift. You can’t buy that kind of clarity… I’m already feeling as though it was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
We view his latest offering, the double A/B-side single—debuting with “Begin Again / Nowhere Else on Earth“—as an homage to fresh starts, resilience, and undefined yet promising horizons. These tracks resonate with both melancholy and hope, slipping effortlessly into the listener’s mind. We delved into conversations with the artist about resilience and renewal, spiritual exploration and self-discovery, and his upcoming album ‘Dumb and Dhamma’.”
photography by Reena Shibu
Your biography reads like a colorful journey. From your early days of self-teaching guitar and piano after moving from New York to Abu Dhabi, to forming punk bands in adolescence, how have all these diverse experiences shaped your musical identity?
Yeah, I moved around a lot as a kid, and the one constant through all these places was my parents CD collection. My Dad, who’s Indian, loves Motown, Reggae and Mukesh haha. Whereas my Mom is more into folk music. Americana and African mostly. She grew up in Nigeria. So even in that it was quite diverse let alone all the Arabic music I was hearing when I was at a tender age of learning, Hard to know what had influenced me and what hasn’t (laughs). But I think the deeper you get into this even non musical stuff really inspires you. Like nature, conversations you have or overhear, anything really.
Punk had an allure cause, unlike all those lush Motown records, it felt tangible. And there was an added mystic cause when I moved to Abu Dhabi in 1995, it was way more conservative than it is now, and any CD with ‘Parental Advisory’ on it was illegal. My buddy Adnan lent me Dookie by Green Day and I was hooked. ‘Welcome to Paradise’ was the first song I actively learnt cause I knew I would have the CD forever.
Did you choose music, or did music choose you? (smiles)
I think it choose me initially, then kind of turned it’s back on me. Now it’s mutual (laughs) – I hope.
“Nowhere Else on Earth is about my loved ones. And how being with the right people elevates you.”
The debut single ‘Begin Again / Nowhere Else On Earth’ speaks volumes of starting anew. Can you share the personal significance behind these tracks?
Begin Again is one of those song that kind of wrote itself. I’ve known those two chords forever but never put them together before. It was right after a long walk through Birkenhead Park (SHOUT OUT!) and I was thinking about how nature is constantly changing and how amazing that nothing stays the same.
Nowhere Else on Earth is about my loved ones. And how being with the right people elevates you.
The album title ‘Dumb and Dhamma’ hints at a blend of the mundane with spiritual exploration. Can you tell us on how this theme is intertwined throughout your album?
Yeah! So the bulk of these songs were written in India. A couple years ago I had cancer and a full existential crisis to match. It was my second time having it. I lost right eye the first time. I fully came undone. My fiancé left me, I was prepared to quit making music. I was ready to quit on everything to be honest.
Once I was all clear I headed to India to try and find a new purpose, or something meaningful. I was thinking I would just go full monk mode and maybe never come back. I did Vipassina In Kushinagar. Which is an ancient mediation from Burma. It’s a free thing not one these Westernised self help things. First step is no talking, actually not even eye contact, for ten days. Hence the ‘Dumb’ from the title. Also you have to meditate around 10 hours a day. Eat super simple food, and sleep on a wooden bed. I call it a shelf. That’s what they called the path of Dhamma. No wanking or drugs either.
Also I really love Jim Carrey so when I thought of the reference that hit all three marks I was like ‘cool, I’ll use that’.
“To face your own death is a gift. You can’t buy that kind of clarity… I’m already feeling as though it was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
I’ve already had the pleasure of pre-listening to the album. It’s really great and a wonderful potpourri of tracks. Which track makes you personally the most proud?
Thanks so much. That’s very kind. I think ‘Happening For Me’ will always before and after point for me as a writer. Yeah, this is ‘first’ album but I’m 36 now. I started using Logic when I was 16 so have been recording myself forever. After doing this intense mediation I wrote that. It was like I had been reminded of the childhood curiosity that led me to fall in love with play and writing. All I had to do was follow my instinct. The catch was its easier to do that when you consume no other art all. (laughs)
And was there a track that was particularly challenging to write? Why?
(laughs) Yeah. But those songs aren’t one this record. I hear Rick Rubin say your songs are like flowers. Some are ready to pick sooner than others. If one’s not coming together I’ll more on. I’m trying to capture vibes not insert them in post production. I’m stoked on Yasmin. I love You. My sister has always asked me to write her a song and I never knew a good angle. Would hate to have a Luke and Leah situation being suggested haha. John Williams didn’t know either so he made Leah’s theme hella romantic (laughs).
Can you share a favorite lyric from ‘Dumb and Dhamma’?
I’ve tried writing it down, or to turn it into sound, but the words that leave my mouth let me down’.
Or ‘Way above the clouds, the world I’d known came crashing down, freed of all my doubts, knowing I don’t need to fight you now. The world I see is happening for me.
“The deeper you get into this even non musical stuff really inspires you. Like nature, conversations you have or overhear, anything really.”
Your journey through illness and personal heartbreak is moving. How have these experiences influenced the themes and emotions in your music?
(laughs) Yeah. I think that’s kind of the fuel and it’s a story that feels sadder than it is. I’m already feeling as though it was the best thing that could of happened to me. To face your own death is a gift. You can’t buy that kind of clarity. All of sudden I could see how stubborn I was, and beating myself up for things I thought I should of ‘accomplished’ by this age. I’ve let all that crap go now. And now I feel as though my music is coming from a truer place and turning out great. For the first time in my life I’m happy with something I’m putting out.
Considering the often commercial and fast-paced nature of the music industry, how do you balance your spiritual beliefs and practices with the demands of your career?
Working on music everyday is a gift. But like any job some bits kind of suck. I meditate in the morning and some a lot of weed, and try and eat healthily that helps, I think (laughs).
The most important thing in life is…?
Nature, Family, Music in that order.
Thank you so much for your time!
Thank you and thanks so much listening early and your kind words.
Peace and Love, Kurran x
Follow Kurran Karbal for more:
www.instagram.com/kurrankarbal
