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Singer-songwriter-producer extraordinaire Salim Nourallah is back with another charming album, Nourallah. “Charming” might insinuate that Nourallah’s latest song collection is full of light and fluffy confections, however it’s anything but. While the music is indie-pop perfection, Nourallah’s lyrics have heft and depth, asking deep, philosophical questions about the meaning of life, the intentions of others, where we fit in, and what it all means. The charm is in Nourallah’s deft hand, at both songwriting and soundscapes, landing each song in that just-right sonic and storytelling space. At times, the songs are laced with Beatles-esque jangle and fizz, then he’ll depart into melancholy-laden alt-rock-inspired quests for answers to his many, many questions, only to follow it all up by power-pop magic. Nourallah is easy to listen to while pondering the weight of life today. It’s pretty genius. We sat down to chat with Nourallah recently about this epic collection of songs.
Hi, Salim. Welcome back to VENTS! How has 2026 been treating you so far?
Other than the unspeakable horrors happening in our country at the moment, I have been fine. I feel like I’m in my own little bubble here in Dallas – working in my recording studio, spending time with my kids, meeting friends at our favorite coffee shop,Leila, walking my dog, Klaus. I have a very happy, peaceful, creative life right now. On most days, I feel like Bowie without the fame!
You’ve blown us away with your stellar new album called “Nourallah,” and we were thrilled when you released it unexpectedly on New Year’s Day. What can you tell us about this collection of songs? What inspired you to write these songs and record this album?
It’s awesome to hear you’ve enjoyed the new record. The inspiration for many of these songs came from asking questions. The kinds of questions I’ve been asking myself ever since I was a kid. Questions like:
How could my mother be going to “hell” just because she wasn’t aligned with the “right” religion?
How could God allow us to be in a place with so much violent chaos?
Why are we all here? What’s the point of our existence? What does this all mean?
I bet this all sounds like the breezy pop hit of the year!
The record actually starts with a series of questions I ask the listener, “Are you in this for the money or in it for the booze? Are you in it for the action or for some sick Italian shoes?”
The second track, “Judgment Day,” rolls with even more questions: “What did you do while you were here on earth? Did you do good work?” I’m still waiting for someone to answer me.
How was the songwriting process for these songs?
It was very similar to the way it’s always mainly been for me. An idea, solitude, a guitar part, a melody. On the outside it might look like I’m spitting out music at a blistering pace, but, in reality, I work very slowly. “Born with a Broken Heart” dates back to May of 2018. “Damage” was written then, too. “Here for the Tears” is the only song I wrote in 2019, the year my father died. So I have been compiling this collection of songs for at least seven years. I wasn’t really able to even see the thread between them all until much later.
What was it like working on these tracks in the studio?
It was actually pretty easy and fun. Since all the instruments, other than string overdubs and a couple of keyboard parts, were played by Billy Harvey and me, it was a fairly simple process. I came in with finished songs I’d already bounced off of Billy. The recordings were built at my studio, Pleasantry Lane. Within a few hours, we usually had the main crux of the recordings finished.
What was your favorite part about recording this album?
Spending time with Billy. That was by far the best part. I wouldn’t have probably gotten to see him otherwise.
What was the most challenging aspect of the recording process?
The most challenging part actually came post-recording. The music had been completely finished for almost two years. I got hung up in trying to decide what songs would go on the album, the album sequence, the album title, etc. I think taking my time was ultimately the right decision, but it sure felt like it took me forever. Once I finally turned Nourallah in to the vinyl manufacturer, it felt like a 50-ton weight had been taken off my back.
Do you have a favorite song on the album, or, if not a favorite, because that can be hard to choose, is there one song that you feel the album revolves around or is the cornerstone of the release?
I feel like the album might revolve around “Buddha Blind” if only for the fact that it informed the wonderful album art Jeff Caudill came up with. I do really like the vibe of this recording with the lonely cello and Billy’s Leslie-effected electric guitar. It’s a good one to zone out to. I’d had a dream that I was on every TV in the world, but the one person I wanted to see me wasn’t paying attention. When I bounced the dream off of Jeff, he ended up coming back with the incredible image we used for the album cover.
What sets that song apart?
“Buddha Blind” sonically has a different vibe than the rest of the record. It’s more dreamy and the lyrics are flirting with surrealism. I also think that ties it into the surrealistic album cover.
What do you think is the common thread, topically or message-wise, among the songs on the album?
The common thread involves trying to make sense out of what I call the “cosmic joke.” The joke is we’ve all been put temporarily in this place with all kinds of incredible things, but it’s also a place full of peril. The short list: it’s mega-violent, unpredictable, unjust. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to who gets to live a life of privilege and who ends up being blown up in a war zone. On top of all that, none of us have any proof of where we’re going when this all ends, if anywhere, and we have no idea where we came from.
What else do you have on tap for 2026?
I’ve got another solo record is coming out in April or May, then the Nourallah Brothers swan song Calling Manila! Hopefully more walks with Klaus, the dog, too.
Website: http://salimnourallah.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salimnourallah/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/salimnourallah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salimnourallah/
