National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

One of the best musical surprises to come across my desk this year so far has been Agadez - the international solo debut of a young Tuareg guitar wizard from Niger named Omara Moctar.

Moctar, who goes by the name of "Bombino" may be familiar to some fans of the burgeoning Tuareg "desert rock" sound, as he was captured on Sublime Frequencies' 2009 Guitars From Agadez, Vol. 2 recording, where he was billed as "Group Bombino". Though misidentified on that album, Bombino's otherworldly guitarwork whetted fans' appetite for a fresh sound from the Sahara.

Though Bombino shares his musical roots with the pioneering generation of Tuareg artists like Tinariwen, Terakaft and Intayafen - and shared their struggle in the desert during the Tuareg rebellions of the 1990s - at 31 he's still quite a bit younger than the original ishumar generation of Tuareg musicians, and his sound reflects that.

More melodic and less protean than the hypnotic, trance-inducing campfire-in-the-desert simplicity of Tinariwen; Bombino isn't afraid to flirt with more traditional rock and even pop song constructions. Thanks to production from American filmmaker Ron Wyman - who invited Bombino to record in his home studio in Cambridge, MA - the album is head-and-shoulders above the usual Saharan mixtape standard (available in the States on Cumbancha records).

And while Bombino's sound is fresh, young and adventurous - with some of the most original and astonishing fretwork you're likely to hear all year - he keeps his lyrics simple and on-point, never forgetting about his people, their struggles and the harsh, beautiful land where they dwell.

Nat Geo Music recently caught up with Bombino via email at his hometown in Agadez.

Nat Geo Music: Tell me a little bit about where you come from?

Bombino: I come from Agadez, the largest region in Niger. It is located in the North and is a Tuareg area. The word Agadez comes from the Berber language (also know as Tamashek) and means "visit", the nomads founded this town which is a carrefour, or crossroads, and link between Sudan and other parts of the world, North Africa, Europe and Asia. The Tuareg provide transportation for all the material coming to Africa from Europe and Asia through North Africa.

Agadez is the largest Tuareg town, the great mosque stands in the center of the town. We can see it from 25 km and it dominates the old town which has a great historic element. Over the old town we have the new areas with beautiful buildings constructed perfectly with clay.

The majority of the population is nomad and lives in the bush. The nomads come to the town just to buy provisions; this is why they called it Agadez. They just visit the town and get back to their encampments in the bush. They don't live in the town. Some of the others who live there are farmers and traders as well.

Why did you name your album Agadez? What about Agadez inspires you?

I named my album Agadez so that the world would discover my region through music. I would like to show the beauty of our culture, our land, and to speak about our social, political and economic problems.

The life in Agadez is very simple, people know each other, we share all that we have. I spent all my childhood in Agadez and I developed my music there. The destiny of my music is related my town's destiny too, so they must be gathered together.

You grew up in turbulent times for the Tuareg people - droughts, rebellions, and refugee camps - how did that impact your outlook and your music?

We are the generation that grew up in war and exile. We know the consequences of these situations in the life of the people and we are spreading the word about our fight for rights. So we have our own opinions and solutions for our struggle and we explain it through our music. These turbulent times have taught me very well to be what I am today.

How did the international success of the first generation of Tuareg bands like Tinariwen and Terafakt impact younger Tuareg artists like you?

The international success of these groups gave us happiness and we feel good about that. It also gives us courage.

How is your music different from theirs?

We all play the same music, in which you can hear a lot of other music from around the world; rock, reggae, blues, But with Tuareg traditional music and African [influences] too.

Do you identify with the ishumar generation or do you see yourself as younger or different from them?

I identify myself as Ishumar but from the new generation, we share the same aim as our big brothers, about fighting for the rights of our community. We refuse war, sing for education, peace, development, as well as promoting and saving our culture.

What is the role of music in Tuareg culture? How important is music for the Kel Tamashek people?

The music is a support for our unification. It brings together the Tuareg people from all countries and all generations. It sensitizes us about saving our culture. It gives advice about perspectives for the future and it is used to enjoy the great moment in our life, marriages, baptisms and others. All Tuaregs dance the guitar. Tuaregs from all generations, woman and men, young and old, from all tribes and areas are gathered without any problem when the music is played.

You're an amazing guitarist - how did you learn to play?

Thank you for this appreciation. I cannot explain how I learn play guitar like this, but I know my passion and my aim to play guitar very well brought me to this stage. Every time I pick up the guitar I like to play more, to make more improvisation and to create new rhythms.

Who are your musical influences? Who are your favorite guitarists?

I love all music. I am sure that I can find something in each style that can interest me to arrange my music.

Intayafen, the first Tuareg guitar player, Ali Farka Touré, Abdallah Oumabadougou, Ibrahim Abreybun from Tinariwen, and Jimi Hendrix are my favorite guitarists.

Is it true that Tuareg were banned from owning guitars in Niger?

During the rebellion the government forbade the guitar because it was used to mobilize young Tuareg to participate in the fighting. It was forbidden during the first rebellion and the second rebellion respectively from 1990 to 1995 and from 2007 to 2009. But when peace came, the Tuareg were free to play guitar again because it is a part of our culture.

How has life for the Tuareg changed in Niger since the end of the rebellion?

The rebellion has been over since the end of 2009, but there are still two serious problems which cause difficulties and prevent economic development: Terrorism in the Sahara and the war in Libya. The main activity of the Tuareg is tourism and currently it is impossible - non tourists are coming now. We also have many refugees coming from Libya to Agadez. How can we take care of them? They need food, water, accommodation... and so the region experiences an economic crisis.

This situation can affect the peace process. The government, the international community and the counties mobilized in the war in Libya need to recognize the consequences on the lives of the poor people who just emerged from three years of war. We just want to live in peace now, and wish for economic development.

Your music has been available internationally on various compilations and cassettes for a while now - how does it feel to finally have your own, full-length, record out? Do you feel like you have more control over your music now?

Yes, today we are involved in a legal situation - no more bootlegs or pirate albums. We recorded the CD for Cumbancha and will start international tours. We definitely feel we have more control over our music now.

What's different about Agadez and the cassettes and compilations of your music that have been previously available?

We worked on the album Agadez for over two years before it was released but the other cassettes and compilations had been recorded during improvised parties or during touristic travels. We got great performances with good sound when we recorded Agadez.

What inspires you as a songwriter? What are the some of the topics of the songs on this record?

My life, my community, the Tuareg peoples, the rebellions, friends, the desert, my family, the world, the women... all of this inspires me as a songwriter. The topic of my songs are love; friendship; saving and promoting Tuareg culture, our language; peace; life in the desert and explaining the problems the Tuareg are facing.