In Amman, Jordan, the evolving intersections of regional upheaval, state policy, and underground artistic expression are the focus of a new conversation between researcher Arran Walshe and podcast host James Ryan. Walshe, an Amman-based journalist and researcher, explores these dynamics in the article “Alternative Amman–Making Counterculture in the Jordanian Capital,” featured in the summer issue of the Middle East Report titled Art at Work–People, Power and Cultural Production.
Documenting Counterculture Amid Regional Upheaval
The Middle East Report’s summer issue examines the forces shaping artistic production across the region during periods of intense social and political transformation. According to Walshe’s research, heavy metal and hip-hop musicians, alongside various performance artists in the Jordanian capital, have navigated shifting domestic and regional political landscapes over the past several decades. Through interviews with musicians and participants within Amman’s countercultural ecosystem, Walshe documents how these creators face fluctuating levels of support for the arts and contend with Jordan’s distinct position amid recent regional crises.
Navigating State Relations and Geopolitics
During their discussion on the MERIP Podcast, Ryan and Walshe examine what the concept of “politics” entails for Jordan’s countercultural music scene. The dialogue highlights the ways underground artists position themselves relative to the Jordanian state, broader geopolitical forces, and the experiences of the Arab diaspora. Listeners can access the episode across major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
The MERIP Podcast operates without paywalls or ads, relying on contributions from listeners to sustain its programming. Readers interested in further exploring the themes of art and cultural production can consult Walshe’s essay in Issue 319 of the Middle East Report, with additional perspectives also highlighted through outlets such as Rolling Stone MENA and regional cultural documentation platforms like Ebrazus on Instagram.
