Blending Western music with Middle Eastern influences, Egyptian band Crashendo has been carving out a unique identity through their creative covers and original songs. The five-member band, comprising Adam, Adham, Selim, John, and Tony, has gained attention for reimagining popular tracks with Arabic instruments, particularly the oud, creating a distinctive fusion sound.
In an exclusive interview with Hisham on "The Watchlist," the band opened up about their musical journey, songwriting process, the role of artificial intelligence in music, and their upcoming album.
The Story Behind Crashendo's Sound
The idea of incorporating an Oriental twist into Western music came naturally. John, who has been playing the oud since kindergarten and has performed at the Cairo Opera House, brought a deep appreciation for Arabic music to the group's sound.
"We wanted to create something that feels familiar but different at the same time," the band explained, highlighting their passion for merging cultures through music.
Finding Their Musical Roles
While Adam handles vocals and bass, Adham and Selim play guitar. John contributes keyboards, oud, and several other instruments, while Tony keeps the rhythm alive on drums.
Speaking about his relationship with the bass guitar, Adam revealed that it was not his first choice.
"I started with guitar, but I wasn't very good at it. Then I tried bass, and it felt completely different. A lot of people don't really notice the bass, but it's such an important instrument."
The Challenge of Writing Original Music
Although Crashendo is widely recognized for its covers, the band says creating original music is far more rewarding.
"Original songs are more fun, but they also require more effort," the members shared. "Everyone has different ideas, and we don't always agree. Usually, we listen to everyone's opinion and follow the majority."
Adam and Selim write most of the lyrics, while Adham occasionally contributes whenever a concept or story captures his attention. The songwriting process itself is far from predictable.
"Sometimes it starts with a guitar riff, a melody, a few chords, or even a lyric. It's not systematic; it's more about inspiration and feeling," they explained.
Balancing Music With Full-Time Careers
Music isn't the band's only commitment. Adam, Selim, and Adham work in marketing, Tony helps run his family's business, and John works as a lawyer.
Despite their busy schedules, the group makes time for rehearsals and recording sessions.
"We usually meet on weekends and sometimes after work during the week. We spend a few hours together and get things done."
How AI Fits Into Their Creative Process
As artificial intelligence continues to shape the music industry, Crashendo admits they occasionally use AI as a supporting tool.
"Sometimes we use it for references, whether it's drum sounds, bass parts, or even finding words that rhyme," they said.
However, the band stressed that AI plays only a minor role in their work.
"We'd say AI contributes about 20 per cent of the process. The creativity and ideas still come from us."
The Challenge of Being Known for Covers One concern the band shares is being recognised mainly for their covers rather than their original music.
"We do worry about that sometimes," they admitted. "On social media, covers usually get more attention than original songs. People are more likely to stop and listen to something they already know."
Still, they see covers as a way to introduce new audiences to their own material.
"We're trying to build a following so people can eventually discover our original work."
What's Next?
Crashendo is currently putting the finishing touches on its debut album.
"We're hoping to finish recording within the next month," the band revealed. "After that, we'll be ready to release it and perform the songs live."
As they continue blending Eastern and Western influences while developing their original catalogue, Crashendo is determined to prove they are much more than a cover band.

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