Jerusalem In My Heart: A Multisensory Exploration of Arab Music and Experimental Art

Jerusalem In My Heart: A Multisensory Exploration of Arab Music and Experimental Art

Jerusalem In My Heart (JIMH) is a collaborative multimedia project led by Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, a Montreal-based musician and producer with Lebanese roots. Known for blending traditional Arab music with modern electronic and experimental elements, JIMH creates a unique and immersive sound that transcends cultural and artistic boundaries. The project frequently collaborates with Karl Lemieux, a visual artist and filmmaker who contributes live 16mm film projections, adding a visceral visual layer to the music.

Formed in 2005, JIMH began as a live performance project that combined Moumneh’s vocal and instrumental arrangements with Lemieux’s striking visuals. Their music often features traditional instruments like the buzuq and oud, seamlessly integrated with modular synthesizers, electronic loops, and experimental textures. Moumneh’s haunting Arabic vocals, steeped in tradition, serve as the emotional core of JIMH’s sound.

The group’s debut album, "Mo7it Al-Mo7it" (2013), introduced their innovative fusion of Arab music and avant-garde experimentation. Subsequent albums, such as "If He Dies, If If If If If If" (2015) and "Daqa'iq Tudaiq" (2018), further expanded their sonic palette, exploring themes of displacement, identity, and resistance.

JIMH’s live performances are renowned for their intensity and artistic vision. With Lemieux’s analog film projections serving as a dynamic backdrop, the shows are multisensory experiences that blur the lines between music and visual art.

Discography

Jerusalem In My Heart stands as a bold and innovative project, bridging the past and the present, the traditional and the experimental, creating a deeply resonant and unforgettable artistic experience.