Bassel & The Supernaturals
Soul
Syrian Heart. Midwest Soul.
Bassel & The Supernaturals tells the story of Bassel Almadani’s experience as a first generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics regarding love, loss, and the war in Syria.
Deeply inspired by Otis Redding, Bassel uses the stage as a vehicle to engage audiences in over one hundred different cities across North America. In addition to performing in major festivals, performance halls, concert series, and clubs, the group works closely with organizations on events and residencies that build awareness and empathy for Syrian refugees. A substantial portion of their proceeds benefit the Karam Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization focused on building a better future for Syria.
Their sophomore release, Elements (2017), was premiered by Noisey/Vice and led to their involvement in the nationally-acclaimed SXSW 2017 showcase ‘ContraBanned: #MusicUnites’ featuring artists from the diaspora of countries targeted by the travel ban. They’ve since been featured on PRI, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Paste Magazine, Huffington Post, NowThis, and many other media outlets. The album draws inspiration from artists such as Snarky Puppy, Jamiroquai, and Steely Dan’s “Aja.”
Bassel & The Supernaturals has performed in over three hundred concerts between 2016 and 2019 on stages including SXSW, John F. Kennedy Center, Summerfest, and Millennium Park. They have supported internationally touring artists such as Youssou N’Dour, Brother Ali, Aesop Rock, Emancipator, The Dandy Warhols, Sinkane, and many others.
Upon returning from a 2019 service trip to Istanbul working with displaced Syrians, Bassel & The Supernaturals released their full-length album, Smoke & Mirrors, in April 2020. “Stepping Back in Time” was featured on Spotify’s official “All Funked Up” playlist and recently surpassed 500,000 streams. The band collaborated with TedX Talks as well on their music video for “Calculated Love” featuring Chicago’s resilient youth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With a powerful message, Bassel & The Supernaturals bring fans on a soulful journey that is brilliant in every way.” — Huffington Post
