Lana Lubany on finding where she belongs across YAFA (Bonus)

The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre

Art that reflects a lived experience is more vital than ever. Beyond allowing us an opportunity to learn about others, it also gives us the chance to have something to believe in. I find it very important to have people that I can believe in when it comes to life, and today’s guest is someone I deeply believe in; the amazing Lana Lubany. She’s a Palestinian-American pop artist who makes some of the most compelling music I’ve heard in years, and her latest EP is a shimmering example of that. It’s called YAFA, and features Lana questioning her place in the world. How the internal turmoil of having to ask oneself “Where do I belong?” can be so intense and specific to one’s journey, and yet, also starkly universal. Throughout this last bonus episode of the season, I chat with Lana about each song off YAFA and the ways they reflect where she’s been, where she’s at, and where she’s going.

There’ll be a more in-depth announcement in December, but this is a good time to share that throughout the upcoming winter months, I’ll be releasing a special mini-season of the podcast. That season will contain conversations between me and a good friend of mine who’s a journalist covering the events at the West Bank. This is going to be a very different iteration of the podcast and I’m very much looking forward to you hearing it. Be sure to follow me on Instagram at @kenamiphoto and that you’re also following the podcast wherever you stream podcasts do you don’t miss out.