Balancing architecture, shifting geography, and over a decade of music-making, Lebanese band Adonis reflects on their complex relationship with Beirut's persistent instability. Anthony and Joey discuss their lyric-first songwriting approach and the vulnerability their tracks evoke in fans. They break down their musical influences, from classic Arabic pop and Melhem Barakat to Western rock. Rejecting globalization, they advocate for local cultural exportation and staying grounded in native Arabic dialects.
Balancing architecture, shifting geography, and over a decade of music-making, Lebanese band Adonis reflects on their complex relationship with Beirut's persistent instability. Anthony and Joey discuss their lyric-first songwriting approach and the vulnerability their tracks evoke in fans. They break down their musical influences, from classic Arabic pop and Melhem Barakat to Western rock. Rejecting globalization, they advocate for local cultural exportation and staying grounded in native Arabic dialects.
00:00 Introduction
06:02 Architectural Mindsets in Songwriting
08:08 Subverting Environment in Early Track Writing
12:47 Prioritizing Lyrics in the Composition Process
16:20 Pop Heritage and Lebanese Musical Influences
23:39 Live Performances and Vulnerability
28:44 Visual Evolution and Expression Post-2020
33:53 Songwriting Mechanics and Homesickness
42:05 Balancing Personal Life and Band Identity
46:54 Cross-Cultural Collaborations
54:00 Resisting Globalization Through Native Arabic Dialects
Adonis (Arabic: أدونيس) is a Lebanese indie rock band formed in 2011 in Beirut by Anthony Khoury (vocals, keyboards) and Joey Abou Jawdeh (guitar), who met studying architecture together at university. The band is named after the town of Adonis in Mount Lebanon, near the Adonis River. Later joined by Nicola Hakim (drums) and Gio Fikany (bass), the quartet has released seven studio albums — Daw El Baladiyyi (2011), Men Shou Bteshki Beirut (2013), Nour (2017), 12 Sa'a (2019), A'da (2021), Hadis El Layl (2022), and Wedyan (2025) — and is recognized as a pioneer of Arabic indie-rock alongside Mashrou' Leila, Autostrad, and Aziz Maraka. Written in the Lebanese dialect and drawing on themes of belonging, identity, and longing, songs like Yeb'a Enna and Al Khafif have become anthems across the Arabic-speaking world. The band has headlined the Baalbeck International Festival, the Carthage International Festival, and the Amman Roman Amphitheatre, and has collaborated with UNICEF, Netflix, and Brazil's Globo TV. Anthony Khoury also writes and produces for Lebanese artists including Hiba Tawaji and Dana Hourani.
Connect with Adonis Band 👉 https://www.instagram.com/adonisband/
Hosted by Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://instagram.com/mikey_mu
Theme music: Peninsular, Tarek Yamani 🔊 https://spoti.fi/47I59ns