Beirut-based indie pop band Sandmoon delivers a deeply moving statement on freedom and resilience with their latest single, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Created under extraordinary circumstances, the track embodies hope in the face of adversity.
Sandmoon – I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
Led by vocalist Sandra Arslanian, Sandmoon also features Sam Wehbi (lead guitar), Georgy Flouty (bass), and Ayman Zebdawi (drums). Their sound blends pop-rock with subtle Middle Eastern influences, setting them apart in the indie music landscape. Over the past decade, the band has steadily built a loyal following, performing in Beirut, London, and Brussels while receiving recognition from outlets such as Indie Shuffle, Analogue Trash, and Beehype. Their track Confessions alone has surpassed 45,000 streams.
Adding a profound chapter to their discography, Sandmoon presents I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, a song shaped by remarkable circumstances.
In October 2024, as conflict raged in Beirut, the band gathered in a studio to record, undeterred by the city’s bombardment. Amid the uncertainty, they found refuge in their music, turning turmoil into creativity. For frontwoman Sandra Arslanian, the day carried a rare intensity. She recalls the experience:
“It was all very strange; we were staring at each other in disbelief, but at the same time, it felt liberating to be there in the cocooning comfort of a studio working on a song that talks about a bird singing for freedom.”
Lyrically, the track draws inspiration from Paul Laurence Dunbar’s 19th-century poem Sympathy, which also influenced Maya Angelou’s title. “In the midst of his cage as in the midst of chaos, the bird sings for freedom. And so do we,”.
The instrumentation carries a somber melancholy that echoes the song’s profound lyricism. With a slow tempo, soaring guitars, and Sandra Arslanian’s soothing vocals, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings delivers an emotionally gripping experience, drawing listeners in through its raw sincerity and mesmerizing performance.
“I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings offers a heartfelt, poetic tribute to hope and freedom, driven by its expressive songwriting and refined instrumentation.”
With their latest release, Sandmoon has crafted not only an engrossing aural experience but also a powerful anthem that stands out for its authenticity, reinforcing the band’s potential. This compelling track has generated considerable anticipation for what Sandmoon will create next.
