Stars in his eyes

STRUMMING Faisal Sheikh is studying architecture but also has designs of carving out a recording career.

His aim is to travel the world and bring people of different cultures together with his music.

"I want to keep writing songs and reach out to people in other places and have the audiences singing verses of my songs along with me," the 23-year-old said.

Faisal recently made his solo debut at the art group Elham's fourth cultural season titled Elham19 held at the Qal'at Al Museum site in Seef. The Bahraini, with Kashmiri origins, is a student at Gulf University.

His love for music began at an early age, when, like many of his friends, he was grooving to the hits of the late king of pop, Michael Jackson.

Faisal, from Segaiya, said: "I used to dress up like MJ and dance in my room!"

However, interest in music turned to a passion after repeated visits next door to play with the guitar which belonged to friends. "I used to try and figure out different tunes and it seemed like the guitar belonged more to me than them. And, in 1998, I got my very own one and haven't looked back.

"Music has always been dear to me. In fact, it was my music teacher who asked my mother to buy me a musical instrument."

During the summer of 2006, Faisal and fellow guitarist Mohammed Adel, who took to the Elham stage to join him on a couple of numbers, decided to audition for a rock show.

He said: "We never had the intention to start a band but there were these rock shows and we thought, why not! So we auditioned under the band name 'The Tryout' and the organisers said they loved us and, ever since, we have kept the music alive."

The duo, together with a drummer, has performed at various local gigs including a performance during the LiveElham '09 music festival that took place in May.

Faisal said: "We are recording as much as we can and hoping to get into a studio with some help from sponsors." His compositions are featured on Elham's compilation 'Museland'.

Faisal last week performed at the 'Bud Music Live' event at the Coral Beach Club in Manama.