Sariyah Idan’s collection of songs “Live in Berlin, Vol. 1” leans into love without pretending it is something uncomplicated or easy to do. For Sariyah, these songs function like letters, carrying not just lyrics but also atmosphere and intent. “Live in Berlin, Vol. 1” reads as a personal note written between Berlin and New Orleans, two cities that shaped her music in different but equally important ways.
“Live in Berlin, Vol. 1” was recorded fully live and fully solo, with Sariyah Idan handling voice, guitars, and foot percussion in one take. There are no edits to smooth over the edges, and that is what makes this release stand out. Years of playing solo sets several nights a week in New Orleans clubs and on Royal Street built the muscle for this kind of performance.
The album loosely frames itself as a love cycle, beginning and ending with tracks that balance hope and melancholy. Sariyah draws inspiration from artists who understood that love songs often come from complicated places. Tunes like “Dance Me To The End Of Love” and “Tell Me More and More and Then Some” sit as high points of the album, one rooted in fragile hope, the other in desperation. Between these poles, Sariyah creates a throughline that touches themes such as societal grief, release, and the pull back toward connection.
Instrumentally, “Live in Berlin, Vol. 1” moves between acoustic guitar and a custom electric guitar built by Michi Hartmann, who also serves as the concert photographer. The shifts in sound feel intentional, marking changes in mood without breaking the harmony. Sariyah Idan’s background in theater shows in how the performance unfolds, each song placed with care, each transition guiding the listener forward rather than resetting the tone.
“Live in Berlin, Vol. 1” is a love letter not just to cities or influences, but to the people who have listened to her music in passing and in stillness. It invites attention without demanding it and trusts the songs to do the work. Volume 2 is on the way, set to explore themes of light and darkness from a different angle.
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