Born in the "cultural melting pot" of the Ruhr valley (Germany), Maren felt inspired by the music tradition of eastern European and Turkish immigrants. Listening to Turkish music in her youth connected her to the oriental melodies and rhythm. Soon, she began to incorporate the expression of Middle Eastern singing and the sound of the oriental double reed instruments.

Since spring 2003 Maren has been working for the company Arts in Motion in the position of musical director, for the Music-Theatre production "The Nub".

Graduating with Distinction in music, talents include flute, sax, Turkish flute, clarinet, ney, and zurna.

This nomad wandered through the cafes, restaurants, pubs, and festivals of Europe, finally arriving in Edinburgh.

Unlike this nomad who began in Scotland then wandered elsewhere...

Max became interested in ethnic music after hearing the Passion Sources CD. He tinkered with the thought of learning rababa (two stringed violin), or oriental violin before settling upon darabhuka (thinking it was going to be easy!)

Through the Ethnic Folk Arts Center in New York he found a teacher in Osher Barayez, the doira and dumbek wizard from Uzbekistan.

Max returned to London in '97, taking lessons with Salah Dawson before embarking on a year trip that included four months in Cairo studying with the late Master Mahmoud Hammouda.

Recently wandering back from Barcelona...

Kemal started his career djing in the underground techno scene of Glasgow in 94. Moving into dnb in 97, and studio production. After recording for a number of labels including "Moving Shadow" and "Timeless" and Djing many of the top clubs around the world. He went on to found "Cryptic Audio".

Progressively he moved away from the electronic scene and began to find inspiration in the diversity of the World music genre.

Joining Nomad'iqa June 2004, Kemal wasted no time in adding extra oomph to live daff (frame drum), and head up the band's progressive Arabesque electronic sound.

Shamska translates as "spirit of light" or "sun being". Dancing for four years, Shamska's styles like rays from the sun cross borders sans frontiers, incorporating cabaret, tribal, techno, and now flamenco.

Living and teaching in the North East of Scotland, classes include body isolations, transitions, finger cymbals, and much more.

Shamska dances with newly formed oriental dance troupe Saharina.