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High-flying Dubai-based hard rockers Karman Line will release their energetic new single and official music video, Come Undone, on Friday, 30th October. Greg Brown (lead vocals/guitar) talks us through the background of the band.
What are the origins of Karman Line, and how long have you been playing together?
We first got together at the beginning of the pandemic, back in 2020. A few of us had known each other for years through Dubai’s music scene, and we started meeting up once a week with a couple of acoustic guitars, just writing songs and seeing where things went. Before we knew it, we had enough material for an album, so we decided to take it a bit more seriously.
We spent the next couple of years writing and recording what would become our debut album, Like A Machine, which we released in 2023. We’ve had a few changes to the lineup along the way, but I think we’re in a really good place now, both musically and as a band.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe Karman Line?
We’re a five-piece rock band based in Dubai, with a pretty wide mix of influences. There’s definitely a lot of classic rock in our DNA, but we’ve always tried to bring something a little more modern to the table.
I think the best way to describe our sound is big riffs, strong grooves, a bit of soul, and plenty of energy. We’re not particularly interested in sticking to one specific sound, either. Our newer material is taking us in a slightly heavier and more modern direction, which we’re really enjoying.
How did you feel performing your first gig as a band, and how was it?
I think the first really significant show for us was our album launch back in 2023, at The Fridge in Dubai.
That was a pretty special night. We’d spent the better part of two years writing and recording the album, most of it during the pandemic, so to finally get up on stage and play those songs to a room full of people was a great feeling.
There was definitely a bit of pressure too. We’d put so much into the record, and suddenly it was out there for everyone to hear. Thankfully, the response was brilliant, and I think that was the moment we realised we had something worth building on.
What are you working on at the minute that people can check out?
Quite a lot, actually! We’ve got a brand-new single called Come Undone coming out on October 30th, which we’re really excited about. It’s probably one of the heavier tracks we’ve released so far and gives people a pretty good idea of where we’re heading musically.
We wrote it here in Dubai, inspired in part by everything that’s been happening in the Middle East over the last few years. There’s a fair bit of frustration and emotion behind it, and I think you can hear that in the music. We also recently released a live version of our track ‘Switching Gears’, which was recorded live from the floor at Firdaus Studio here in Dubai. And in addition to that, we’re also working on our second album, so there’s plenty more new material on the way.
Regarding a similar audience, which band at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
We’d love to say either Rival Sons or Queens of the Stone Age. We’ve been big fans of those guys for years, and I think there’s enough crossover in our sound and audience for it to make sense.
That said, with the direction our newer music is heading, I think we could fit quite nicely on a bill with bands like Royal Blood or Nothing But Thieves as well. We’re definitely getting a little heavier, so it would be great to share a stage with bands that have that kind of energy.
Excluding yourself, which new band would you like to see break out and become a success?
Maybe a weird way to answer this question, but I’d love to see more bands coming out of the UAE get some proper international recognition. There’s a lot of talent here that people outside the region probably have no idea exists.
I think there’s still this perception that the UAE isn’t really a place for original rock music, but that’s slowly changing. We’ve got some genuinely brilliant musicians and bands here, and it would be great to see more of them getting opportunities overseas.
What frustrates you about the music business?
Probably how much of being in a band these days has absolutely nothing to do with making music! You’re expected to be a musician, content creator, marketer, video editor, social media manager, and about ten other things. And sometimes it feels like the music itself comes second to everything else.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that’s the world we live in, and there are some amazing opportunities for independent artists that didn’t exist before. But I do think we’ve reached a point where a band’s ability to make content can sometimes have more influence on its success than the quality of its music.
What are your first musical memories? And what lightbulb moment made you say “I want to do that”?
Music’s always been a big part of my life, even from a really young age. I grew up listening to all sorts of stuff, but rock music was always what I gravitated towards. There was just something about the energy of it, the guitars, the performances, the whole thing.
I don’t think there was one particular lightbulb moment, though. It was more a case of picking up an instrument, realising how much I loved it, and slowly becoming completely obsessed.
Looking back, I probably should’ve picked a cheaper hobby, but we’re a bit too far down the road now.
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Went to see Karnivool here in Dubai. What an incredible experience, what an incredible band. And their new album is well worth checking out if you haven’t already.
What current social issues are you particularly passionate about?
I think it’s pretty difficult living in the Middle East and not being affected by everything that’s happened in the region over the last few years.
We’re a band made up of people from different countries and backgrounds, and I think that naturally gives us quite a broad perspective on things. Seeing the impact of conflict on ordinary people, particularly innocent families and children, is something that’s hard to ignore.
Our new single, Come Undone, was partly born out of that feeling. It’s not necessarily a political song, but it does reflect a lot of the frustration and helplessness that comes with watching everything unfold around you.
I think music is a great way of processing those emotions, even if you don’t always have the answers.
The album that you have in your album collection/Spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Ready to Die – The Notorious B.I.G.
Everybody is a fan of something: who or what are you a fan of?
I’m a huge fan of people who reply to emails. Particularly booking agents and festival promoters. That, and sleep – we seem to be seeing less of that these days.
What new music have you enjoyed so far this year?
All the new stuff coming out from bands like Slomosa, The Pale White, The Band Feel, Queens of the Stone Age, All Them Witches, Jay Buchanan of Rival Sons, Fontaines DC and there’s loads more.
What does the next six months or so hold for Karman Line?
Well, we’ve got Come Undone coming out on October 30th, which we’re really looking forward to. It’s the start of a new chapter for us musically, and we’re excited to finally get some of this new material out into the world.
We’ve also recently signed a European booking deal with Red Lion Music, which is a pretty big milestone for us. We’ve spent the last few years building things here in Dubai, so the opportunity to start taking our music to audiences in Europe, the UK, and Scandinavia is something we’ve been working towards for a long time.
We’re continuing to write and record our second album too. So the rest of this year is really about building momentum and setting ourselves up for what will hopefully be a very busy 2027.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
We’re fairly active on Instagram, where we share new music, live clips, behind-the-scenes stuff, and whatever else we get up to. You can find us at @karmanlineband, and we’re also on Spotify, YouTube, and the usual places.
Give us a follow, say hello, and if you like what you hear, come see us play sometime. That’s always the best way to experience what we do.
