Balkans to the Middle East Festival – Neesan

Referred to as the new ‘Arabic Khraungbin,’ NEESAN is the brainchild of April Centrone, a New York/LA-based musician whose heart and sound are rooted in the timeless spirit of 1970’s Lebanon. Drawing from the evocative blend of Arabic psych rock and cinematic textures, NEESAN brings to life the genre she calls Levant Noir—a raw, nostalgic soundscape that celebrates Lebanon’s resilience, beauty, and enduring cultural refuge.

April’s home for many years, NEESAN is a dedication to the streets and balconies of Beirut – to the sound of birds and Fairouz mingling with the smell of Jasmine, buzuq above acadi trees as the sun sparkled over the water, laughter and oud song filling the warm night air. While not her physical address today, she describes her Mediterranean home with the popular Arabic scales, Bayati and Rahat al-Arwah, representing her deep longing for a land where her soul found rest.