Returning to Saudi Arabia, I felt amazed seeing women driving cars. Even more surprising, I witnessed both men and women playing live music in public. One afternoon, I discovered a girl on Instagram playing psychedelic rock. It was exactly what I wanted to do.
Juan Matinez
11 mins ago
August 6, 2024
August 6, 2024Saudi Arabian all-female rock band Seera performs in an outdoor setting surrounded by lush greenery. | Photo courtesy of Raman.3000
Journalist’s notes
Journalist’s notes
interview subject
Haya Al-Hejailan, 30, is the lead guitarist of Seera, an all-female Arabian psychedelic rock band formed in late 2022. Having lived in California from 18 to 23 years old, she initially trained as a psychologist specializing in psychedelic science. However, she transitioned to the music industry and now also works in music event management to develop the local music scene. As the founder of the Arab Psychedelic Society, Haya remains active in psychoeducational advocacy and is interested in curating culturally relevant soundtracks for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy sessions in the Arab world.
background information
Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman became Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, he has promised new opportunities for Saudi women as part of a broad modernization plan called Vision 2030. The percentage of women working outside the home has almost doubled, now at 32 percent from 18 percent. Women now work as customs officers at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, as customer relations managers in banks, and as hostesses in restaurants, among other jobs. Public spaces are also becoming less gender-segregated, with coffee shops like Overdose allowing male and female customers to mingle. Women can attend certain sporting events in stadiums, apply for passports, live alone, and travel independently. However, the guardianship system remains, requiring women to obtain permission from male relatives for key decisions.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Music has always been integral to my life. At home, it was deeply valued, though public opportunities to perform remained scarce. A piano teacher taught my sisters and me, and by age four, I discovered my unique musical talents.
In my thirties now, I am living a dream I never thought possible as a child. I formed a psychedelic rock band with other women, and we perform live. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, music remained a private joy amid a society with restricted personal freedoms and limited rights for women. Now, I witness and partake in change.
Read more Sex & Gender stories at Orato World Media.
From Saudi to California: Kurt Cobain sparked my dream of rock stardom
Growing up, I yearned to stand out. The haunting voice of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana’s music resonated with me, despite the different worlds we expeirenced in our lives. His influence sparked my dream to become a rock musician, to be cool, and play the guitar.
I listened to Nirvana at home and during car rides to school, but I kept my musical tastes private. The social restrictions in Saudi Arabia felt natural to me, like the sky being blue. I never realized things could be different.
As a teenager, I began to feel the gender distinctions more acutely. My liberal family valued freedom, but at 18, I hit a wall when I realized society restricted me from driving. This made me notice other restrictions, like the absence of rock music in public spaces, not just for women, but in general.
At that age, I followed my sisters’ path and moved to California to study. Although my school and family’s diplomatic background exposed me to American culture, when I went to California, I experienced significant culture shock. Access to freedoms like public cultural openness and apparent gender equality felt startling. However, part of that shock also felt negative. I needed to adjust to the stark differences in social norms and expectations.
In the United States, I encountered an individualistic society where people seemed more self-focused and less considerate of others. This made me appreciate certain aspects of my own culture more deeply. Despite the greater freedoms and cultural openness, I felt a lack of genuine connection. I found it difficult to form close relationships and, consequently, felt uninspired to start a band. I experienced plenty of interactions, but none led to meaningful bonds.
Returning home to Suadi Arabia and embracing cultural change through music
Meanwhile, I began to see from afar the changes happening in Saudi Arabia that I wanted to be part of. From my room, I discovered many female bands I admired playing in my country. Local bands emerged and I felt called to action. “That’s where I want to be,” I thought. I decided to return home to join my first band and to create music with people who understood the depth of my culture. Additionally, I hoped to bring back what I learned abroad.
Saudi Arabia’s population remains young with a large percentage of people under the age of 35. Change seemed inevitable. Now, we share a different perspective. The country feels full of energy and excitement. The things we create lead to a palpable effervescence in society.
Returning to Saudi Arabia, I felt amazed seeing women driving cars. Even more surprising, I witnessed both men and women playing live music in public. One afternoon, I discovered a girl on Instagram playing psychedelic rock. It was exactly what I wanted to do. I immediately messaged her, saying, “I want to start a band and make music like you. Would you be interested?” She agreed, and we met at my house for a jam session.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Music has always been integral to my life. At home, it was deeply valued, though public opportunities to perform remained scarce. A piano teacher taught my sisters and me, and by age four, I discovered my unique musical talents.
In my thirties now, I am living a dream I never thought possible as a child. I formed a psychedelic rock band with other women, and we perform live. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, music remained a private joy amid a society with restricted personal freedoms and limited rights for women. Now, I witness and partake in change.
Read more Sex & Gender stories at Orato World Media.
From Saudi to California: Kurt Cobain sparked my dream of rock stardom
Growing up, I yearned to stand out. The haunting voice of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana’s music resonated with me, despite the different worlds we expeirenced in our lives. His influence sparked my dream to become a rock musician, to be cool, and play the guitar.
I listened to Nirvana at home and during car rides to school, but I kept my musical tastes private. The social restrictions in Saudi Arabia felt natural to me, like the sky being blue. I never realized things could be different.
As a teenager, I began to feel the gender distinctions more acutely. My liberal family valued freedom, but at 18, I hit a wall when I realized society restricted me from driving. This made me notice other restrictions, like the absence of rock music in public spaces, not just for women, but in general.
At that age, I followed my sisters’ path and moved to California to study. Although my school and family’s diplomatic background exposed me to American culture, when I went to California, I experienced significant culture shock. Access to freedoms like public cultural openness and apparent gender equality felt startling. However, part of that shock also felt negative. I needed to adjust to the stark differences in social norms and expectations.
In the United States, I encountered an individualistic society where people seemed more self-focused and less considerate of others. This made me appreciate certain aspects of my own culture more deeply. Despite the greater freedoms and cultural openness, I felt a lack of genuine connection. I found it difficult to form close relationships and, consequently, felt uninspired to start a band. I experienced plenty of interactions, but none led to meaningful bonds.
Returning home to Suadi Arabia and embracing cultural change through music
Meanwhile, I began to see from afar the changes happening in Saudi Arabia that I wanted to be part of. From my room, I discovered many female bands I admired playing in my country. Local bands emerged and I felt called to action. “That’s where I want to be,” I thought. I decided to return home to join my first band and to create music with people who understood the depth of my culture. Additionally, I hoped to bring back what I learned abroad.
Saudi Arabia’s population remains young with a large percentage of people under the age of 35. Change seemed inevitable. Now, we share a different perspective. The country feels full of energy and excitement. The things we create lead to a palpable effervescence in society.
Returning to Saudi Arabia, I felt amazed seeing women driving cars. Even more surprising, I witnessed both men and women playing live music in public. One afternoon, I discovered a girl on Instagram playing psychedelic rock. It was exactly what I wanted to do. I immediately messaged her, saying, “I want to start a band and make music like you. Would you be interested?” She agreed, and we met at my house for a jam session.
Seera in a dynamic outdoor performance | Photo courtesy of Raman.3000
When we started playing together, I sensed something special. It felt like planting seeds that, if nurtured, may grow into something beautiful. Allowing the process to proceed naturally, I knew something great would emerge. Throughout my life, I pondered what success meant to me. I studied psychology, earned a master’s degree, and read extensively on the topic, but certain questions always haunted me. That day, during our jam session, for the first time I felt like everything I needed to be successfully in art was within reach.
When we started playing together, I sensed something special. It felt like planting seeds that, if nurtured, may grow into something beautiful. Allowing the process to proceed naturally, I knew something great would emerge. Throughout my life, I pondered what success meant to me. I studied psychology, earned a master’s degree, and read extensively on the topic, but certain questions always haunted me. That day, during our jam session, for the first time I felt like everything I needed to be successfully in art was within reach.
Seera breaks barriers: All-female rock bands rise in Saudi Arabia
Meesh’s sister joined us, and soon after, I reached out on Instagram to our fourth member, whom we nicknamed Thing. From the start, I made it clear: “Seera is a [musical] project that rquires commitment. We need to get somewhere with this.” Meesh replied, “It’s a dream for me.” The group of us shared passion, dedication, perseverance, and resilience.
I do not view myself as an activist. As a child, all my musical idols were male, because I lacked a female role model. I want to be that person for the next generation. An all-female band inspires people. When young women see us on stage, having fun and being ourselves, they feel something.
I think of myself at 13 years old and I imagine attending a Seera show. Certainly, it would have made me very happy. Many people tell us they started playing an instrument because of us. It feels beautiful and makes getting up every morning a little bit easier.
Seera performing live on stage | Photo courtesy of Raman.3000
Our first live show at The Warehouse became a moment marked by powerful sensations. It felt like riding a bike. Though difficult at first, we possessed the skills and desire within us to succeed. On stage, it feels as if time stands still and everything flows naturally. Seeing people touched by our music feels sensational, making me a part of something bigger.
We do this for ourselves because we love making music, but also for the people around us. We do it for the community. Talking about this makes me emotional because people are so important to us—they are why we do what we do. We want to show the world that Saudi Arabia possesses a rich cultural heritage and diversity. We aim to demonstrate the creation of a new era for our country, modernizing our cultural heritage. I hope to be only the first of many all-female rock bands emerging from Saudi Arabia.
Our first live show at The Warehouse became a moment marked by powerful sensations. It felt like riding a bike. Though difficult at first, we possessed the skills and desire within us to succeed. On stage, it feels as if time stands still and everything flows naturally. Seeing people touched by our music feels sensational, making me a part of something bigger.
We do this for ourselves because we love making music, but also for the people around us. We do it for the community. Talking about this makes me emotional because people are so important to us—they are why we do what we do. We want to show the world that Saudi Arabia possesses a rich cultural heritage and diversity. We aim to demonstrate the creation of a new era for our country, modernizing our cultural heritage. I hope to be only the first of many all-female rock bands emerging from Saudi Arabia.
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