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Kazem El Saher

If ever I met an enigma in my life, Kazim Al Saher would be it. The 38-year-old Iraqi singer known for his stellar voice, brilliantly composed music, and breathtakingly romantic lyrics is a man full of contradictions. Born and raised in Iraq, Kazim is the seventh son of nine siblings, all of whom were brought up with an extremely modest yet solid upbringing. Out of his own ingenuity, talent and ambition, Kazim rose above his circumstances and nurtured his gift for music.

Although his story is not one of overnight success, the path Kazim took to reach his fame is nevertheless remarkable. After studying for six years at the music conservatory in Baghdad, and teaching his own students from an early age, Kazim began composing music for others as well as himself. Slowly but surely Kazim began to acquire a niche audience in Iraq, which appreciated his dramatic and romantic style. Yet it was not until 1988, at age 27, that he had his first real hit in Iraq. Soon after his fame in his motherland increased, Kazim’s music became popular in the Gulf. Then, in the early 90’s, the Kazim phenomenon began to spread to Egypt – the coveted market for any Arabic singer.
Mention the name Kazim Al Saher to any Arab (women especially), and you will undoubtedly begin to hear words of extreme praise. Kazim’s passion for composing music for the famous romantic poet Nizar Kabbani has earned him the reputation of the most romantic singer in the Middle East. He is often compared with legendary Abdel Halim Hafez, as Kazim’s music is decidedly classic yet simultaneously modern.
In a market that has become flooded with new talent from all over the region, Kazim has managed to stand apart as a distinct and creative singer. Known as a serious and gifted musician, he regularly performs at the most distinguished halls around the Middle East, in addition to his concerts in Europe and the United States. With his large orchestra supporting him on stage, Kazim on stage is truly mesmerizing. He hardly moves, and instead shuts his eyes and allows the lyrics and music to engulf him. For Kazim, music is not just a profession, but an obsession. While he is singing he is oblivious to the crowd, and he focuses completely on his songs. The resulting sound is one that can stir emotion even for those completely unfamiliar with his music.
Yet what is most mind-boggling about Kazim is his personality. Despite his incredible success and popularity, he remains extremely modest, understated and polite. A private person by nature, Kazim’s presence even on stage is unpretentious, and even more so in real life. If you met him in the street, you would never guess he was a superstar, and if you had a conversation with him you would most certainly forget. Despite the fact that he and his family have experienced extreme hardship during Iraq’s several wars, and even though he suffered to get where he is today, Kazim has a raw innocence about him. He takes pleasure in the simplest of things, and is fascinated by every new experience and destination he encounters. A self-admitted recluse, Kazim adores staying at home, watching movies or listening to music in the company of a few close friends. His lifestyle seems to be the antithesis of what one would imagine a famous singer’s to be.
It is these unique facets in his personality, however, that have made him such a success in the first place.
In a candid interview with Kazim, his light-heated nature and engaging personality are revealed. You just can’t help being drawn to and fascinated by everything he says. Is it all part of the act of “the romantic singer”? Perhaps that’s the real enigma to be uncovered.

KAZIM ON WOMEN:

When I was 10 years old, I had a female friend who I always tried to please. I would make up stories for her. Everyday I would tell her a story while we sat on the street, as there was nowhere else for us to go. It was a completely innocent relationship, which lead to my fascination about women. When I turned 14, I began my own research to find out more about women, their desires, their needs, and what they want most out of a man. I began reading novels, which I borrowed from one of my elder brothers who was very fond of books. I was particularly drawn to poetry, and began memorizing the love poems especially. At the time, there used to be small guidebooks on everything about women, which I used to read diligently. I tried to improve my language skills, and began teaching music to my female friends.
I also loved to draw, and tried to develop my personality as much as I could. I did this mostly through reading, and learning from my elders and everyone around me.

Were you closer to your mother or your father?
My father was like a friend to us, and would tell us the most amazing stories. My mother was a very kind and simple woman who cared for us tremendously and tried to raise us the best she could. She taught us decency, kindness and respect for others, along with many other good things.

KAZIM ON FAMILY

Did being part of such a big family affect your personality?
Most definitely. We were eight boys and two girls, so undoubtedly such a large family was difficult. It was very tiring for my mother, and in such a situation, the children are inevitably deprived of the care and affection they need. No matter how much my mother tried, it was very difficult for her to give us all the attention we needed.

Did you know early on that you wanted to be a singer?
No, I wasn’t really sure at that time. Yet I did learn how to play the guitar when I was 12 years old, and began composing music as well. My teachers would tell me that I had a great future in music if I cultivated it. It was then that I felt that I had a talent for music.

Did your parents encourage you?
No, they were afraid for me, and would have preferred me to pursue a more stable career. Nonetheless, after graduation, I studied music for six years, and also began teaching at the same time. I then began writing down my thoughts and composing lyrics and music from them. After that, I began to sing on stage with my guitar.

KAZIM ON FAME

When did you become famous, and how did it affect your life?
In 1988, when I was still Baghdad, I had a song, which became very popular in Iraq and then later in the Gulf. My life changed most drastically, in the sense that I went from being deprived and poor to being blessed by God with good fortune.
At the beginning of my career it was very difficult, because I used to sing drama to an audience that was used to more mainstream music. I had a very particular following until 1988, when I had a hit song. Then I began performing large concerts and became much more aware of my fame

How does it feel as a singer to sing in front of a large audience?
At the beginning I would have sung for free, as I derived more pleasure than the audience did. We were a young band in the western sense, and were truly enjoying it. Today, the responsibility is completely different; if I make the smallest mistake, I get extremely distressed. Even the audience might not sense every mistake, but the artist on stage carries a huge responsibility. I always have to think of how to grasp the audience’s attention, and [how to] keep them interested. Yet I must admit, my audience does help and encourage me tremendously.

You seem to be a very down-to-earth person. How have you been able to remain so unaffected by your fame?
Before I was famous, I used to study the careers and music of other singers, and I realized that, although in many ways my music was more powerful and significant, I did not have the same opportunity. I read about many singers who gained fame quickly, and then became corrupted by their instant popularity and wealth. So, I have always tried not to take anything for granted. Being famous comes at a heavy price, and many people who are not prepared for it can be susceptible to drug abuse and other critical problems.
In my opinion, celebrities must protect themselves by having a solid upbringing and education. I have learned how to balance my life, and take care of my health. I try to keep up with all the new developments in the world, and benefit from all the positive things that I can do for myself.

Did achieving fame at a later stage in life help you stay grounded?
Because I became famous relatively late outside Iraq, I was really able to appreciate my success. You must also remember, when I lived in Iraq, we faced some real crises, such as war and economic hardship. At times we really suffered, more than you can imagine. Nevertheless, I think this suffering helped build my character; as the saying goes: “What does not kill you, makes you stronger.” And, thank God, I have managed to benefit from my past experiences.

KAZIM ON MARRIAGE

Do think marriage is more difficult for somebody in your field? Does fame take its toll?
Marriage can be difficult for anybody, from an employee to a superstar. Nevertheless, an artist particularly needs someone beside him who understands his work, supports him, and is there throughout all the ups and downs. It’s a heavy responsibility and may God help those who are married to artists.
Unfortunately, fame usually takes its toll on the artist’s family. Often the wife of an artist does not understand the pressures of his career, and only sees him as ‘her husband.’ She therefore expects his family to be the priority for him; for her, work is work, but the family should be just as important, if not more.
In my case, my career is very overwhelming, without clear borders between my personal and professional life. I create my own music, and I can get an inspiration at any time. I could even be going out with my friends, then all of a sudden make them take me home, because something or someone just inspired me. In fact, some of my best songs came out of similar unexpected inspirations.

Were you able to manage being married with your particular circumstances?
Well, I got married very young (at age 18), so I was already unprepared, and did not fulfil my duties as best as I should have. Later on, my fame only made our marriage more difficult. In the end, an element of destiny shapes every relation, and we were unable to live together.

KAZIM ON HIMSELF

I try to live my life like everyone else; I walk in the streets, go out, and try to live my life without any strict schedule and routine. I don’t try to live my life like a ‘superstar;’ if I did, I would lose my identity and connection with people. And I would hate to be cut off from the world and my fans, living in the image of my stardom.

OK, LET’S HAVE SOME FUN:

Who was your favorite artist growing up?
I always appreciated instrumental music more than songs in particular. Yet I did have this one teacher, Salwa Shahminyan, who sang in the opera. She had lived abroad all her life, then came to Iraq to join the opera for a while, and formed a musical group there. Thankfully she chose me to be a part of the group. She taught me how to sing opera at the classes she was giving at the conservatory (she was kind enough to allow me to attend, even though I was not even a student at the conservatory at the time!).
I also liked to listen to classical music and symphonies. Iraq at that time was a famous cultural center, with great art, poetry, literature, ballet and music. Today, of course, Iraq’s misfortunes have [affected] its culture, although until this day, every year there is the festival of Babel, which is attended by artists from all over the world. I, myself, used to perform there, although I haven’t been back to Iraq for three years. Still, I hope to perform there in the coming years.

If you weren’t a famous singer, what would you have liked to be?
An artist, a musician or perhaps a romantic poet. Yet definitely something in a creative field.

Of all your songs, which one is your favorite?
There are so many that I love! “Ana wa Leila” (Leila and I) I really like, “Madraset el Hob” (School of Love) I adore, “Hah Habebe” (Darling), “Kutr el Hadith” (A Lot of Talk), and “Dalu’aton Enti” (You’re a Sweetheart); there are really so many that I truly love singing.

How do you get inspired to write a song?
Inspirations just come to me on their own accord. For instance, I might see or meet a woman who will leave an impression on me, then before I know it I’ll grab a pen and paper and write a poem. It could easily be from a first encounter, as inspirations literally come to me at any time.

Is there any characteristic in your personality you would like to change?
I really feel that I worry too much, and I wish I could learn to worry less. And my shyness can be a problem; most of it is gone, but I just need to get over the last third of it or so! But seriously, worrying is my biggest character flaw. I seem to find myself always worrying, even if I have just finished the most brilliant song. I know many other artists in same position would be thrilled with themselves, and perhaps take a break for a year or two, but I just can’t do that. You see, when I compose a song, it’s usually a complicated process where I combine several genres, such as opera, classic music and jazz. Often they are difficult combinations, which no one really understands, until I come out with the final product. Yet I am a perfectionist by nature, and always strive to make each of my compositions even more unique and intricate than the previous one. Even when a song is well received by the public and my peers in the industry, my worrying never lets me be completely satisfied with my success.

Describe a normal day in your life. Do you have a daily routine?
When I’m in Egypt (my current home base), I always make sure to exercise every day for about two hours, either at the Gezirah Club or at the gym. Then around one o’clock, I go to the studio to train my voice or record a new song. Then in the evening I usually go to bed by 12 a.m., if I have work, or about 2 a.m. if I’m free the next day.

Do you know how to cook? And what is the best dish you can make?
I only know how to make custard, because I totally adore it! My mother taught me how to make it because I've loved it ever since I was young. You should see me though; I make a total mess out of the kitchen when I do it!

Do you have a favorite film?
I have so many favorite films. There are a lot of Arabic films that I enjoy., especially the older ones. In terms of foreign films, I recently saw a lot of really good ones, such as “The Sixth Sense,” “Notting Hill,” and many more. I really appreciate movies and buy lots of DVD’s when I travel, so I can watch the highest quality films as possible.

In general, do you prefer staying at home or going out?
I definitely prefer staying at home when I’m not travelling. All my life I’ve adored staying at home. If and when I do go out, it is my friends who really persuade me. Sometimes I do enjoy going out, especially to new authentic places.

If a film were to be made about your life, whom would you like to play Kazim Al Saher?
I would like to play the role myself. I once acted in a series four years ago in Iraq, which was well received, but I didn’t really like it. Yet I would love to play myself. There were some great phases in my life, which I’d love to relive and capture on film. I’d also love to play a romantic role in a film all about love.

What are your thoughts on love?
Love is grand. It’s an amazing feeling for someone to be in love. Personally, it’s much harder for me to write a love song if I’m not in love. Once I stayed a year without writing a love song, then I met a woman who moved me, and inspired me all over again. In one week I wrote more than I had all year!

Are your friends mostly women or men?
Both, really. My male friends are my old friends from childhood, with whom I often travel until this day. I also have a lot of female friends who ask about me, and it is them that I prefer to call when I am worried or upset.

Do you have time to do your own shopping?
I adore going shopping, and always make time for it when I’m in Europe, especially Italy and Paris. And I always choose my own clothes.

When you travel, who usually accompanies you?
My musicians and my old friends from my childhood.

Do you enjoy travelling?
I adore travelling, to the extent that when I stay in one place for too long I go crazy. Each season, I like to be in a different place. Although, I must admit, my favorite cities are Paris, Los Angeles and New York.

What is the strangest piece of news you’ve ever heard or read about yourself in the media?
The false news of my death. It really troubled me to the point that I had to call my mother and reassure her that I was all right. And once the media also announced that I had cancer, and said that I was in the hospital getting treated under a false name. All these rumors lead me to increase my exercise regimen. I’ve been health-conscious all my life, but these stories really made me make fitness a daily priority.

Describe yourself in two words.
I always strive to be honest and passionate.

What is missing in your life?
Stability.

What are your plans for the future?
I plan to focus mainly on my music, and I am planning to do something very new and creative with the Egyptian Opera. I would consider this a great achievement for me.