With royal roots and based between Bahrain, Dubai and London, talented Bahraini singer-songwriter Hassan bin Rashid Al Khalifa has built a name for himself in the music industry, touring and performing around the world. In an exclusive interview with Apple Sharma, he talks candidly about music, life between cultures and his solo career as HBR (Hassan Bin Rashid), ahead of the release of his new EPs.

fact: What first got you into music, and who were some of your earliest musical influences growing up?
HBR: I really got into rock music after a friend gave me two Ten CDs for my 18th birthday. Pearl Jam became my favourite band, and they completely pulled me into rock music. From there, I started listening to The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Dire Straits, The Police, Led Zeppelin and many others. If I had to narrow it down, I’d say Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Eddie Vedder, Pink Floyd and Dave Matthews influenced my songwriting the most.

fact: How would you describe your sound to someone discovering your music for the first time?
HBR: At its core, my sound is straight-up rock ‘n’ roll. I’ve recorded everything from progressive rock to more melodic, rock-driven songs with a pop edge. For my next EP, I’m diving deeper into a 1970s-inspired sound. I’m drawing influence from Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Fleetwood Mac. Think distortion, reverb, delay, deep lyrics – let’s go.

fact: You grew up between cultures and countries. How have those different worlds shaped you creatively?
HBR: I loved growing up in Bahrain because it gave me just enough freedom to have fun in my younger years without things getting too crazy. Then I moved to the United States, and it was refreshing to be somewhere nobody knew anything about my background. After that, I spent a lot of time in London, where I continued to grow creatively. London has a pulse to it. I connected with some very special musicians there and learnt a huge amount from that scene. Living back in the GCC between Bahrain and Dubai over the last decade has been great. It’s home. I’m interested in seeing how deeply I can connect with people from the region through music. Music has the power to move and motivate people, and I love that.

Image – Tom Oldham
Image – Tom Oldham

fact: You started out touring with bands before moving into a solo direction with HBR. What made you feel it was the right time to take that step?
HBR: I once had a conversation with Bruce Springsteen at an event, and we both agreed that bands are amazing but there can sometimes be too much freedom in the decision-making process. In a creative environment, that can become very challenging.
For a band to really work long term, everyone has to be fully aligned and moving in the same direction. As we’ve seen with many legendary rock bands, that’s not always easy. I found it difficult trying to keep everybody happy, focussed and connected creatively.
Going solo allowed me to continue working with many of the same brilliant musicians, but the creative process became much simpler. It was no longer a democracy. I could take full responsibility for the direction, the sound and the decisions – and honestly, that suits me better.
Bruce actually laughed and said, “That’s exactly how I have it with the E Street Band. They’re great guys but now I make all the decisions.” Hearing that definitely felt like a good sign.

fact: You’ve got two new EPs coming out this year. When are they being released, and what can listeners look forward to this time around?
HBR: Yes, I’m really excited about these two new EPs. The first will be the fourth instalment of my Just Me Sessions series. It’s five songs recorded in a very intimate setting – just me, a guitar, a microphone and my stories, captured for both audio and video. Look out for McLaren, the third single, it’s special!
The second EP is a studio project featuring three songs: Shotgun, Mary and Souls. The working title is 1976 because I’m fully embracing that classic ‘70s rock sound, plus it’s the year I was born. This EP is really the beginning of a whole series of EPs built around this sound. I’ve got a lot of material waiting to be recorded, which is a great place to be as a songwriter.

fact: What do you enjoy more – the intimacy of the studio or the energy of performing live?
HBR: Live, for sure. The studio is important – it’s the workshop. It’s where ideas come together and songs are built. But performing live and connecting with people who genuinely feel your music is something special. That feeling is addictive.

Image – Tom Oldham

fact: You wear many hats, from musician and equestrian showjumper to managing your family’s retail business. How do you balance those very different worlds and switch gears between them?
HBR: Magic. Life is magical, isn’t it? I’m lucky to have a few different things that keep me inspired and grounded. Lately, my biggest focus has been family. My wife Joanne has been incredible in helping me find balance and a good place in life. My kids, Saif and Jude, are a blessing. I’ve found that when I focus on family and spend as much time with them as possible, I become the best version of myself. From there, I’m able to manage everything else more clearly and calmly. And music – believe it or not – is something I’ve tried to walk away from many times. But I never could. It always finds its way back out of me. At some point, I realised it wasn’t something I needed to control anymore. I just let it flow and play it back to people the way it comes to me.

fact: Is there one local or international artist you’d love to collaborate with, and why?
HBR: There’s a Bahraini oud player called Yad Oud who performs wearing a mask. He plays incredible covers and original music. I’d genuinely love to sit down and create something together one day. I think it could turn into something really unique. ✤

GO: FOLLOW @HASSANBINRASHIDMUSIC ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

JUST FOR FUN

  • If your life had a soundtrack, who’d be on it?
    The Doors, Eddie Vedder, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Tom Petty, Snoop Dogg and Hans Zimmer
  • One album you wish you could hear again for the first time?
    Ten by Pearl Jam
  • A song you never get tired of?
    State of Love and Trust by Pearl Jam
  • The best concert you’ve ever been to?
    Pearl Jam in Berlin around 2009 – unbelievable. I’d also say Stephen Wilson Jr. at Al Dana Amphitheatre, which is probably my favourite venue in the world. The reunion shows by The Police and Led Zeppelin were also incredibly special.
  • One word/phrase your friends always hear you say?
    “Let’s go!”