Machine Eat Man's Experimental Egyptronica Sound

Registered Moog Artist and frequent visitor of the US festival circuit, Mohamed Ragab AKA Machine Eat Man, is scheduled for a performance at CJC next Tuesday, followed by the eclectic and experimental sounds of Telepoetic. Ahead of the gig, we sit down with the former to talk origins, favourite equipment, and the local electronic scene.

How did Machine Eat Man start?

In 2005, I used to play in a band called The Room; Machine Eat Man was a separate solo project, and it just progressed from there.

How long have you been playing music for?

Nearly twenty years; I’ve been playing since I was 19.

How would you describe your music?

Basic Electronic music. It's experimental, a lot of drum machines, synthesisers, and samplers. In the USA where I’m signed to two labels, I call it Egyptronica, because I use a lot of Eastern samples and sounds.

How do you produce your music, and what kind of hardware do you have in your studios?

I use hardware analogue synthesisers, modular and semi modular synths like the Telemark by Analog Solutions and the Pittsburgh System 90. Other synths I have in my studio are the mini Moog Voyager, Moog Void, Dave Smith Mopho,Thermin Wav, and Moog Frogger. Next Tuesday is the first time I'll use Ableton in my live performance - I'm going to be using it for backing tech; all the synthesiser parts are played live.

Have you released your music on any labels?

I have one album released in the US on David Roberge’s Transit Music, based in new Hampshire, and two more independent albums were released through Afaq, a fund raiser in Lebanon.

We heard that you have been touring, tell us about it?

I’ve been playing in the US since 2007, mainly festivals, but at other places also.

What are your influences and inspirations?

Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Pink Floyd, Tool.

Who’s the guy in the picture?

That's Amr Hosny half of The Room, the band I used to play in; he plays drums with me sometimes for Machine Eat Man.

What do you think of the Egyptian Electronic music scene?

I’m not in the scene, but I like what's happening now. Recently I went to shows and I saw that the younger producers are starting to use instruments and develop their acts. Ten years ago no one knew what the fuck was happening when I went onstage with modular racks or synthesisers. Now from the outside it looks better.

What are your favourite venues or parties that you played before?

Mountain Skies NC USA, it's a festival in New York.

Check out Cairo Jazz Club's Facebook page here or follow them on Instagram @cairojazzclub.
You can check out MEM's Facebook page here, and his Soundcloud here.