In a modest studio tucked away in Dubai’s Al Quoz district, the rock band Karman Line is steadily carving out a place in the region’s growing music scene while balancing demanding day jobs. The group, composed of five members—Greg Brown (lead vocals, guitar), Frank Bassiouni (lead guitar, backing vocals), Simone Nisi (guitar), Petar Milosević (bass), and Danny Langston (drums)—formed during the COVID-19 pandemic when the global slowdown allowed them the rare luxury of dedicating time to songwriting.
Karman Line’s origins lie in weekly Thursday-night sessions where a few guitars and tentative ideas gradually developed into a full album. Over nearly two years, they worked with producer Sandeep Sequiera to shape their sound before sending the record to Metropolis Studios in the UK for mixing and mastering. The album was launched at The Fridge venue in Dubai in 2023, marking both a significant milestone and a springboard for future projects.
Despite this progress, the band members continue to juggle music with other careers. Brown and Milosević maintain roles in advertising and aviation respectively, while Bassiouni recently transitioned from banking to full-time musician. Langston and Nisi have longer histories in music, with Langston performing professionally since age 17 and Nisi bringing a classical guitar background from Italy to the group.
Each member’s musical journey has been distinct, contributing to the band’s eclectic style. Milosević, for instance, started with rap and later shifted to rock under peer influence, while Bassiouni’s path began with leaving home at 17 to pursue guitar. Their collaborative songwriting process involves bringing individual fragments—melodies, lyrics, or riffs—to rehearsals, where the band collectively develops them into complete compositions. This creative approach has allowed Karman Line to amass a diverse archive of ideas, fueling their work on a second album currently in development.
The band also recognizes the growing maturity of the UAE’s rock and metal scene, which, while expanding beyond its underground roots, still lacks broader international recognition. Brown, a scene participant since 2013, highlights this gap and sees Karman Line’s growing international exposure as a way to spotlight the local music community.
To that end, the band recently signed with international touring agency Redlion Music. This partnership aims to secure performance opportunities across the UK, Europe, and Scandinavia throughout 2027, opening doors for Karman Line and their peers to gain wider audiences.
As the musicians continue untangling cables in their studio, their focus remains clear: to evolve artistically, elevate their craft, and bring greater visibility to rock music originating in the UAE.