Checkpoint 303
Encyclopedia
Checkpoint 303 is a non-profit musical collective
from the emerging Arabic and Middle-eastern underground electronica scene. The activist musical project was launched by Tunisian SC Mocha and Palestinian SC Yosh in 2004 and has secured an avant-garde
position on the Arabic underground music
scene (see also tunisian underground music
and palestinian underground music). The non-commercial
aspect of this musical project is a fundamental dimension of the band's work since it allows for creative freedom and the liberty to express activist opinions. Checkpoint 303's compositions are inspired by the ongoing conflict in the Middle-east and the suffering it causes to the civilian populations throughout the region.
Checkpoint 300 (one of numerous Israeli checkpoints
restricting and controlling passage between the Palestinian self-controlled areas and Israel. See also Machsom Watch
). A co-founding member of Checkpoint 303 lives and performs field recordings in Bethlehem.
(the oriental luth) and keys embedded into loops of electronic beats ranging from downtempo
, drum'n'bass to breakbeats and minimal techno
. Several artists from around the world contribute to CheckPoint 303's compositions, these include Cheikh Julian, Ms K SuShi, MonaLisa, Noise Generator SoM, Melski and Damski.
. Checkpoint 303 live performances also include DJ sets, for example as supporting act for Massive Attack
in a series of benefit concerts that took place at the Carling Academy in the UK (February 2007).
article cited Checkpoint 303 alongside other Palestinian artists such as Kamilya Jubran, Le Trio Joubran
, and the Palestinian hip-hop act DAM
. In April 2007, Checkpoint 303's music and activism was portrayed in an article published in the french newspaper Le Monde
. In May 2007, Checkpoint 303 also interviewed by Mag125 magazine.
reviewed the Massive Attack
show in Birmingham and briefly commented on Checkpoint 303 opening act for the show, daily Canadian newspaper La Presse discusses Checkpoint 303's concept and music as well as its February 2007 UK shows with Massive Attack
and pro-Palestine organization Electronic Intifada
, reviewed Checkpoint 303's "innovative musical and militant approach" and its performance as opening act for British trip-hop band Massive Attack
.
.
Checkpoint 303 songs have been aired on numerous FM and online radio stations. To cite but a few examples: Checkpoint 303 was selected to represent Tunisian breakbeat music in a World Cup Special broadcast on The Joint on RDU-FM (RDU 98.5FM) a New Zealand student radio station. Checkpoint 303's music has also been aired on radio channels in various countries ranging from micro-broadcasting alternative stations in the US (e.g. The Peace Train 1610AM http://www.madisoncounty.net/~sunwatt/peacetrain/peacetrain_1610am.htm, in Arkansas), community stations throughout Europe (e.g. Radio Pimienta 100.3 FM [8], Tenerife
, Canary Islands, or RCT 99.3 FM [9], Lyon
, France), college radio stations (e.g. CHYZ 94.3 FM http://www.chyz.qc.ca/fr/accueil.php, Quebec, Canada) to private mainstream stations (e.g. Jawhara FM http://www.jawharafm.net/, Sousse, Tunisia
).
and British Airways
as a suggested example of Tunisian Electronica.
Musical collective
Musical collective is a phrase used to describe a group of musicians in which membership is flexible and creative control is shared. Such entities have transitioned from the traditional hierarchical configuration that features either a frontman , or a plurality of band members in tension for...
from the emerging Arabic and Middle-eastern underground electronica scene. The activist musical project was launched by Tunisian SC Mocha and Palestinian SC Yosh in 2004 and has secured an avant-garde
Avant-garde
Avant-garde means "advance guard" or "vanguard". The adjective form is used in English to refer to people or works that are experimental or innovative, particularly with respect to art, culture, and politics....
position on the Arabic underground music
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
scene (see also tunisian underground music
Tunisian underground music
Tunisian underground music refers to music performed by Tunisian artists that play or compose in a style different from the established Tunisian mainstream. Using the term underground to define a performing arts movement or scene in tha Arab world, including Tunisia, takes on a slightly different...
and palestinian underground music). The non-commercial
Non-commercial
Non-commercial refers to an activity or entity that does not in some sense involve commerce, at least relative to similar activities that do have a commercial objective or emphasis...
aspect of this musical project is a fundamental dimension of the band's work since it allows for creative freedom and the liberty to express activist opinions. Checkpoint 303's compositions are inspired by the ongoing conflict in the Middle-east and the suffering it causes to the civilian populations throughout the region.
Origin
The name Checkpoint 303 was inspired by the BethlehemBethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
Checkpoint 300 (one of numerous Israeli checkpoints
Israel Defense Forces checkpoint
A Israel Defense Forces checkpoint, usually called an Israeli checkpoint , is a barrier erected by the Israel Defense Forces with the stated aim of enhancing the security of Israel and Israeli settlements and preventing those who wish to do harm from crossing...
restricting and controlling passage between the Palestinian self-controlled areas and Israel. See also Machsom Watch
Machsom Watch
Machsom Watch, or Checkpoint Watch is a group of Israeli women who monitor checkpoints in the West Bank and the military courts, out of opposition to the Israeli occupation...
). A co-founding member of Checkpoint 303 lives and performs field recordings in Bethlehem.
The Music
CheckPoint 303's arrangements are grounded in electronica and experimental music with a touch of oriental tunes. The compositions are a blend of field recordings, audio samples, oudOud
The oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern music. The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths...
(the oriental luth) and keys embedded into loops of electronic beats ranging from downtempo
Downtempo
Downtempo is a laid-back electronic music style similar to ambient music, but usually with a beat or groove unlike the beatless forms of Ambient music. The beat is sometimes made from loops that have a hypnotic feeling...
, drum'n'bass to breakbeats and minimal techno
Minimal techno
Minimal techno is a minimalist sub-genre of techno. It is characterized by a stripped-down aesthetic that exploits the use of repetition, and understated development. This style of dance music production generally adheres to the motto less is more; a principle that has been previously utilized, to...
. Several artists from around the world contribute to CheckPoint 303's compositions, these include Cheikh Julian, Ms K SuShi, MonaLisa, Noise Generator SoM, Melski and Damski.
Discography and Live Performances
The collective's debut album Checkpoint Tunes will be released by the end of 2007. However, the band also makes its compositions available via a Creative Commons LicenseCreative Commons License
Creative Commons licenses are several copyright licenses that allow the distribution of copyrighted works. The licenses differ by several combinations that condition the terms of distribution. They were initially released on December 16, 2002 by Creative Commons, a U.S...
. Checkpoint 303 live performances also include DJ sets, for example as supporting act for Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
in a series of benefit concerts that took place at the Carling Academy in the UK (February 2007).
In the Press
In December 2006, monthly newspaper Le Monde DiplomatiqueLe Monde diplomatique
Le Monde diplomatique is a monthly newspaper offering analysis and opinion on politics, culture, and current affairs. It was first created mainly for a diplomatic audience as its name implies...
article cited Checkpoint 303 alongside other Palestinian artists such as Kamilya Jubran, Le Trio Joubran
Le Trio Joubran
Le Trio Joubran is a Israel-Arab oud trio, consisting of the brothers Samir, Wissam, and Adnan Joubran from the city of Nazareth. The Joubran brothers come from a well-known family with a rich artistic heritage...
, and the Palestinian hip-hop act DAM
DAM (band)
DAM is a Palestinian hip-hop group. Based in Lod, Israel, DAM was founded in 1999 by brothers Tamar and Suhell Nafar and their friend Mahmoud Jreri, and their songs are largely about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and poverty...
. In April 2007, Checkpoint 303's music and activism was portrayed in an article published in the french newspaper Le Monde
Le Monde
Le Monde is a French daily evening newspaper owned by La Vie-Le Monde Group and edited in Paris. It is one of two French newspapers of record, and has generally been well respected since its first edition under founder Hubert Beuve-Méry on 19 December 1944...
. In May 2007, Checkpoint 303 also interviewed by Mag125 magazine.
Massive Attack opening act
In February 2007, UK newspaper The IndependentThe Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
reviewed the Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
show in Birmingham and briefly commented on Checkpoint 303 opening act for the show, daily Canadian newspaper La Presse discusses Checkpoint 303's concept and music as well as its February 2007 UK shows with Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
and pro-Palestine organization Electronic Intifada
Electronic Intifada
The Electronic Intifada is a not-for-profit, independent online publication which covers the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a Palestinian perspective, "aimed at combating the pro-Israeli, pro-American spin" its editors believe exists in mainstream media accounts.-History:EI was founded by Ali...
, reviewed Checkpoint 303's "innovative musical and militant approach" and its performance as opening act for British trip-hop band Massive Attack
Massive Attack
Massive Attack are an English DJ and trip hop duo from Bristol, England consisting of Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. Working with co-producers, as well as various session musicians and guest vocalists, they make records and tour live. The duo are considered to be of the trip...
.
Radio
In April 2007, Checkpoint 303 was presented on a french radio show called Et pourtant ça tourne broadcast on France InterFrance Inter
France Inter is a major French public radio channel and part of Radio France. It is a "generalist" station, aiming to provide a wide national audience with a full service of news and intelligent spoken-word programming, both serious and entertaining, liberally punctuated with an eclectic mix of...
.
Checkpoint 303 songs have been aired on numerous FM and online radio stations. To cite but a few examples: Checkpoint 303 was selected to represent Tunisian breakbeat music in a World Cup Special broadcast on The Joint on RDU-FM (RDU 98.5FM) a New Zealand student radio station. Checkpoint 303's music has also been aired on radio channels in various countries ranging from micro-broadcasting alternative stations in the US (e.g. The Peace Train 1610AM http://www.madisoncounty.net/~sunwatt/peacetrain/peacetrain_1610am.htm, in Arkansas), community stations throughout Europe (e.g. Radio Pimienta 100.3 FM [8], Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
, Canary Islands, or RCT 99.3 FM [9], Lyon
Lyon
Lyon , is a city in east-central France in the Rhône-Alpes region, situated between Paris and Marseille. Lyon is located at from Paris, from Marseille, from Geneva, from Turin, and from Barcelona. The residents of the city are called Lyonnais....
, France), college radio stations (e.g. CHYZ 94.3 FM http://www.chyz.qc.ca/fr/accueil.php, Quebec, Canada) to private mainstream stations (e.g. Jawhara FM http://www.jawharafm.net/, Sousse, Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
).
Recommendations
Checkpoint 303's music was selected by the websites of Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
and British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
as a suggested example of Tunisian Electronica.
External links
- Official Website checkpoint303.com
- Myspace page myspace.com/checkpoint303
- Center for Political Song
- Public Record Website