Emperor Elefteriades speaks
Michel Elefteriades - guerrilla fighter, artist, musician - doesn't even consider himself Lebanese, rather the Emperor of Nowheristan, a state with no land and where everyone is welcome. Provided they pass the test. Where do we sign up?
The folks back in the office kept calling you the gypsy, why is that?
It might be the look that I used to have when I came back to Lebanon after my exile, or maybe it's the fact that I don't really have a home country. I'm as much Cuban as I am Lebanese. I'm French in my thoughts and writing. I used to move around a lot, with a plane as my caravan and I just changed countries as soon as I get bored of a place.
And professions I hear; you've been everything from an artist to a guerrilla fighter, really? Have you managed to find yourself?
It's not like that. I've been all those things all the time. When I was fighting with a machine gun in my hand I was still a musician. After the fight, the machine gun was replaced by a guitar. I'm into music, sure, I have had projects lined up for ten years. Music for me is the best way to express my ideas and make money.
And it seems you're passionate about it.
Yes, of course. I inherited that from my father who's a great musician. My mother also plays piano. But it only became a viable career in my late twenties, when there was little else to do. I've wasted a lot of time and only got into politics in my early teens.
And you've held many successful events...
I have. I remember my Wadih al Safi and Jose Fernandez tour was a huge success worldwide. We sold so many albums, it was almost a shock. The press-book was huge. People for and against the combination had a lot to say about it. I love contrasts - in food, in relationships, aesthetics. I love surprises: whores who look like saints and saints who look like whores, bankers who wear earrings and artists who dress up as bankers. A gypsy and a conservative singer is a lovely contrast, and we traveled all around with it. People loved it.
Posts
Help me, I’m linear!
Recent love, or not
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))) - Sukoon: hahaha! Wei ni hao? Oh man, at first, I thought you were just being out of control with your need to break...
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Linearity is overrated
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