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SINGER and songwriter ‘Bahrain Barbie’ aims to sparkle and dazzle music lovers across the island with an energetic showcase next month, inspired by the doll of the same name.
Creative Brit, Tamar Leek, who is known for her vibrant fashion sense and soulful voice, has put together The Bahrain Barbie Show featuring pop and rock songs for all to enjoy until the end of September.
“The shows will be visually and sonically inspiring,” the Mahooz resident told GulfWeekly.
“Energetic pop and rock songs will be sung live with innovative props, LEDs and sparkling costumes.
“Kitsch humour will be sprinkled amongst magical nostalgia and there will be surprises as well. The show will feature references from the official Barbie movie and soundtrack, which comes out on July 20 in the UAE, and there will be an authentic take on Barbie doll history.
“The event will focus on a day in the life of a fashionista Barbie doll that can do it all. She’s smart, she’s sassy…she’s Barbie!”
Tamar’s Barbie brand came to life when she moved to the kingdom.
“I have been in Bahrain for almost five years now, and everywhere I go, people call me ‘Barbie’,” she explained. “I thought, ‘well, if people are calling me Barbie, I may as well capitalise on that.
“I created a brand for myself as ‘Bahrain Barbie’ on social media and my following and audience expanded. I have an extravagant sense of style, I love fashion. I work as a singer, so I am always exploring new stage looks and innovative costume designs. I not only design costumes for the stage and special appearances, but also co-design for UK fashion brands.”
Tamar works closely with Catalyst Latex in designing clothes.
“I wear a lot of human hair wigs and love makeup artistry too,” she added. “I often dress up to go out to places because it enhances my mood.
“Creating a doll-like aesthetic on myself is a new favourite hyper focus of mine. It could change at any given moment, I used to be a bit of Goth. I tend to go through phases like a creative butterfly in metamorphosis.”
Tamar had written and produced an eight-track alternative rock album, Change in the Retrograde, with Sejo Navajas at 4th Street Recording in Los Angeles, US, last year. She also appeared on television and at various festivals and was the support act for the boy band Blue when they played in Bahrain. She has an EP entitled Tamar, which she wrote and recorded in New Jersey with multi-platinum record producer David Bendeth.
“I would love to perform my original music as part of The Bahrain Barbie Show,” she said. “I do have a euphoric pop song called Afterglow – Tamar that would suit it perfectly, but the shows’ sets are short and sweet to capture the attention of the younger audience members.”
