Seera Music: Saudi’s all-women psychedelic rock band

Seera is the all-women psychedelic rock band in Saudi that we never knew we needed. The band is an eclectic mix of women—Nora is lead on vocals, grounded by Meesh’s funk-driven basslines, electrified by Haya’s guitar shredding, and complemented by enigmatic, masked ‘Thing’ on the drums. An uncharted fusion of Arab heritage and modern psychedelia, sung in Saudi dialect and underpinned by influences like Tame Impala, Opeth, Ilham Al-Madfai, and Tool. Dazed MENA speaks with the luminous band reflecting newfound freedoms for women in Saudi. 

Seera’s origin story reads almost like a cosmic accident. Haya, a guitarist freshly returned from London’s underground music scene, bonded with Meesh over a shared love of Altın Gün’s experimental sounds. Meesh brought along her sister Nora, a classically trained pianist turned keyboardist (and naturally ethereal vocalist), and their chemistry was instantaneous. They soon recruited Thing, whose decade-long drumming experience brought the band to realisation in April of 2023.

“Music has always been a passion of ours and the underground music community was what motivated us and supported us when we first started playing,” the band tells Dazed MENA. “We used to watch bands like Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, and The Doors play music on MTV and BH1 and always wondered if we’d ever be a part of a band, play live, and be great musicians. Now it’s becoming a reality for us!”

It wasn’t long before they began to draw in unprecedented crowds at venues in Riyadh. “Our debut gig in May 2023 was a really life-defining moment,” the band shares with Dazed. “A lot of people were present and engaged with us emotionally even though we never really had any music out at the time. We were overwhelmed by the support from our local community and that provided the drive to continue to do more shows and write more music.”

The band’s presence is especially crucial as it managed to burgeon in Saudi’s socially conservative society, with Seera’s journey mirroring the country’s evolving attitudes, inspired by reforms under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman–it was only in 2019 that a royal decree permitted music to be played in restaurants. “We want to show that the drums, guitar, bass, and keys aren’t confined by gender,” the band explains. 

The word ‘Seera’ itself means ‘story’ or ‘journey’ in Arabic, embodying their name and their mission: to narrate life’s struggles, triumphs, and absurdities with authenticity and grace. “Seera is, in and of itself, a resounding imperative for us to be role models for girls, women, and the younger generation, inspiring them to pick up an instrument and share their stories with us,” the band affirms. “We are passionate in our mission to convey stories that encapsulate the collective experiences of many. Here, darkness meets light, vulnerability is strength, and sorrow turns to serenity.”

In their song Wahm Al Qimmah, Nora sings: ‘we roll the boulder, climbing up and running down / in the struggle, there’s a story waiting to be told’. The music itself is enchanting—Arabic poetry in the vessel of nostalgic rock. “We are proud to celebrate our Arab heritage through music,” Seera conveys. “It’s part of who we are, and we aim to showcase its richness and cultural depth in a contemporary, psychedelic rock context. Through our music, we hope to convey the unique style and people that Arab culture embodies.”

Working with three-time Grammy winning engineer and producer Marc Urselli, who helped mix and master a recent single of theirs, the band is set to put female-led Saudi rock on the map. “By embracing alternative genres often seen as unconventional in our area, we are blending global music influences with a distinct regional touch, making these sounds relevant to local audiences,” Seera tells us. “This creates a new space in MENA’s music scene, one where local themes, dialects, and cultural references find expression within globally-inspired sounds.”

The band’s creative work is propelled by a drive to provoke thought and inspire positive change. “The way we integrate mental health awareness, life experiences, and non-traditional sounds shows a deep interest in meaningful storytelling and connecting with others,” the band highlights. “We find inspiration in observing human nature, acknowledging both its darker sides and its potential for growth—a reflection that aligns with our emphasis on honesty, trust, and resilience.”

An imminent catalyst for Saudi women to embrace their unconventional interests, Seera is already making waves. In the struggle, as they’ve illustrated, there’s always a story waiting to be told. “We hope to see the South West Asia and North Africa creative scene evolve through greater self-expression, fearless storytelling, and stronger support for local talent,” the band highlights. The band is set to drop their debut studio album in the year to come.