In a dimly lit tent in Riyadh, surrounded by amplifiers, cables, and raw electric energy, Seera was born. Not Seera Band, just Seera.
The all-girls psychedelic rockgroup is rewriting the narrative of the Saudi music scene—one fuzz-drenched riff at a time. With their powerful blend of Arabic psychedelic rock and a touch of jazz, blues, and fusion, the quartet is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Their journey began in 2022 when guitarist Haya stumbled upon bassist Meesh on Instagram. “She was playing covers of The Doors,” Haya recalls, “and I was like, ‘Hey, you wanna jam?’ She said, ‘Yeah, let’s jam.’” Meesh brought along her sister, Nora, a vocalist and pianist, and soon after, they crossed paths with the elusive and enigmatic drummer, Thing. “We saw her, and we just knew,” says Nora. “She was playing guitar at the time, but we could feel there was something special about her.”
Thing, known for her signature mask and preference to remain out of the limelight, completed the puzzle. But before she joined, Haya had to make sure: “I asked her, ‘Are you committed? Like, committed committed? Like, committed committed committed?’ And she said, ‘Yes, yes, yes.’” And just like that, Seera came to life.
Seera’s Psychedelic Soundscapes & Arabic Fusion
Psychedelic rock isn’t exactly the first genre that comes to mind when you think of the Saudi music scene, but for Seera, it was inevitable. “We all had this deep-rooted love for rock.” Their music is more than just distortion and dreamy reverb; it’s a fusion of Arabic scales, hypnotic rhythms, and poetic Arabic lyrics. “The first lyrics I ever wrote in Arabic were with Seera,” says Nora. “Arabic words are so fun to play with. A single haraka (diacritical mark) can change the entire meaning of a word. It’s like painting with sound.” Haya adds, “We call our music rock plus because it’s constantly evolving.”
Defining Moments & Growing Together
For a band that came together so organically, there have been a few defining moments that solidified their identity. “Our debut performance,” Haya states firmly. “That was the first time we were public-facing. That was the
moment Seera became real.” For Nora, it was the creation of their song Junoon Almal. “At first, we were kind of lost, but then we came together and played it. It wasn’t written in a conventional format, but it just felt right. That was when we knew we had something special.”
Breaking Barriers & Embracing the Shock Factor
Being an all-girls rock band in Saudi Arabia is not without its challenges, but Seera embraces them. “We don’t see challenges,” Haya says with a grin. “We see opportunities.” Nora adds, “People have expectations of how a woman should sound or play. When we step on stage and then they hear us and they’re like, ‘Oh, okay. That’s new.’ We love the shock factor.” That shock factor extends to their live performances, where they push boundaries and redefine what Saudi rock can sound like. “Seeing people’s reactions to our music is one of the best parts,” says Meesh.
From Underground to Center Stage
The Saudi music scene has transformed dramatically in recent years. “There was always a local scene,” says Meesh, “but it was underground—people jamming in their houses. Now, there’s motivation. There’s a drive. If you put yourself out there, you could end up opening for your favorite artist.” Haya agrees.
“Riyadh is becoming a global music destination. We’ve seen some of our favorite bands perform here, and it’s just the beginning.” This shift has led to a more diverse musical landscape. “Saudi music used to be one genre. You knew exactly what it would sound like,” says Meesh. “Now, every band and solo artist is doing their own thing. It’s exciting.”
A Message to Aspiring Musicians
Seera knows what it’s like to start from nothing, and they have one piece of advice for young musicians: just do it.
“Find people who share your passion,” says Haya. “Jam with anyone and everyone. Put yourself out there. Social media is your best friend—if I hadn’t posted, Seera wouldn’t exist.” Thing expounds in her signature calm style, “Jamming is the best way to learn. Play with different musicians, different styles. Listen. Adapt. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to fail.”Nora agrees, “Get out of your comfort zone. Release your music, even if it’s not perfect. No one remembers the first five or six songs— you just need one hit. Keep going.”
Where to Find Seera
When they’re not creating new music, you might find Seera hanging out at The Warehouse, a venue they hold dear. “It’s where we debuted, but it’s also where we’ve seen incredible performances,” says Haya.
Thing, on the other hand, prefers quieter moments. “I like collecting records and sketching. That’s where I get my inspiration.” She normally is found browsing records at Bohemia cafe.
And when the night is over, and they’re looking for a post-gig meal? “Spread Steakhouse is my go-to,” says Nora. “You pick your meat, you eat, you’re happy.” Haya and Thing prefer steaks as well, but Meesh leans more towards comfort food with Section-B as her happy place.
What’s Next for Seera?
With their debut album out, Seera is already looking ahead. “The moment we released it, I wanted to write more music,” says Meesh. “This is just the beginning.”
As for the future of Saudi music, Haya has high hopes. “Riyadh is on its way to becoming a major music hub. And we’re here for it.”
Seera isn’t just making music—they’re making history.
Keep up with the band’s adventures via @seera_music.
