Exclusive Interview With Dozenz: We Don’t Sit Comfortably in a Single Genre

We present the Interview with Dozenz–visionary alternative rock duo of Saleh Hamed (Sol Farah) and Ahmed Jamali.

Dozenz is an alternative rock and production duo formed by Saleh Hamed (Sol Farah) and Ahmed Jamali, blending cinematic soundscapes, electronic textures, and anthemic rock energy.

With roots in the UAE’s pioneering alternative music scene, they have evolved from shaping the underground rock movement to crafting bold, emotionally driven music that transcends borders.

Their latest album, Be Someone, is a genre-blurring exploration of resilience, identity, and transformation, pulling inspiration from Radiohead, U2, The Chemical Brothers, The Killers, and Imagine Dragons while staying uniquely their own.

Below are his responses to our questions at Music Review World

Where are you from?

We’re from the UAE, but our backgrounds and musical influences stretch far beyond that. Sol grew up between Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, and Leeds, absorbing everything from the massive music culture of L.A. to the indie and alternative energy of the UK. Jamali grew up in the UAE, where the music scene was smaller but tight-knit, making it a unique place to develop as an artist.

How long have you been making music?

We’ve been making music for over two decades. We started out in the early 2000s, shaping the underground alternative rock movement in the UAE before evolving into Dozenz—a project that blends rock, electronic, and cinematic elements.

How many songs/albums have you released to date?

As Dozenz, Be Someone is our sophomore album, following years of songwriting and production. We’ve released multiple singles recently, including “Lie to Love You,” “Daylight,” “No Talking (Just Love Me),” and “Rules of the Heart” will be next. On streaming platforms, we’ve got about 30 songs out so far. Prior to Dozenz, we were involved in other projects, contributing to albums, collaborations, and soundtracks.

Can you tell us about your latest release and the background/inspirations behind it?

Our latest album, Be Someone, is a deeply personal and sonically expansive record about resilience, identity, and transformation. It blends anthemic rock, immersive synth textures, and raw storytelling, drawing from influences like Radiohead, U2, The Chemical Brothers, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, and Linkin Park. Each track represents a moment of clarity, struggle, or reinvention, and the album as a whole is about pushing past expectations and carving your own path.

How did you end up in the music industry?

We started in the UAE’s alternative rock scene at a time when original bands had very little infrastructure or support. We built our own momentum—performing, recording, and growing a community of like-minded musicians.

Our breakthrough came when Sol joined Juliana Down, which became the first UAE rock band to sign a major label deal and get nominated for an MTV Europe Music Award. Jamali was a driving force in UAE’s early rock movement as well, shaping the sound of multiple projects. Over the years, we’ve evolved, adapting to the way music is created and consumed while staying true to our vision.

What do you think of the music industry in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic hit?

2020 forced artists to adapt and rethink everything—from live shows to how music reaches people. It broke down some barriers, making it easier for independent artists to get noticed, but it also oversaturated discovery. The real challenge was finding ways to stay connected to audiences in a world that was suddenly virtual.

Who do you think is the most influential artist?

It depends on the era and genre, but if we had to pick a single artist who changed music on multiple levels, David Bowie would be a strong contender. He reinvented himself constantly while staying authentic, which is something we respect.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?

We’ve collaborated with a large swathe of musicians and producers, including:

• Malachi Mott
• Mr. Mig
• Wes The Writer
• Andrew Capra
• The Crushboys
• Devin Cruise
• Brandon Chase
• Aubrey Whitfield
• Jimmy Deer

…and many more.

Key Contributors to Be Someone

Core Team

• Saleh Hamed (Sol Farah) – Songwriter, Producer, Creative Lead
• Ahmed Jamali – Producer, Multi-Instrumentalist, Arranger

Vocalists

• Nick Tompkins – Vocals on Be Someone
• Richard Farrell – Vocals on Chasing Tigers and Lie to Love You
• Ethan Cronin – Vocals on Senseless, Young Tomorrow, and Say My Name
• Ryan Courtney – Vocals on Daylight and No Talking (Just Love Me)
• Harry Lee – Vocals on Rules of the Heart

Mixing & Mastering

• Etienne Pelosoff – Mixing & Mastering on Say My Name

How do you think you differ from other artists?

We don’t sit comfortably in a single genre. Dozenz is about blending the anthemic energy of rock, the immersive textures of electronic music, and deeply personal storytelling. Instead of following trends, we build on the music that moves us, creating something that feels cinematic, emotional, and unfiltered.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

There are so many, but if we’re dreaming big—Trent Reznor, Thom Yorke, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala), or even Hans Zimmer would be incredible collaborators in terms of sonic experimentation.

What was the first album you bought as an artist?

• Sol: Achtung Baby by U2 – That album changed the way I thought about production and songwriting.
• Jamali: Hysteria by Def Leppard

What’s your favorite song at the moment?

• Sol: All My Love by Coldplay – A beautifully understated track.
• Jamali: In the Middle of this Nowhere by Hammock

If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album/track would you keep?

• Sol: OK Computer by Radiohead – A blueprint for modern alternative music.
• Jamali: A hard drive with all the Dozenz tracks and demos—it’s kinda like saving a photo album.

What is your favorite quote/saying?

• Jamali: “Where your fear is, there is your task.”
• Sol: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

What other hobbies or interests do you have?

Music takes up most of our creative space, but beyond that, we’re into film, sound design, and tech-driven creativity. Anything that pushes boundaries and breaks conventions is fascinating to us.

Tell us more about your upcoming project

Be Someone is our most ambitious album yet. It’s a journey through struggle, reinvention, and self-discovery, wrapped in a soundscape that blends alternative rock, cinematic production, and electronic textures. Every track has a distinct feel, but together, they tell a cohesive story of transformation.

What’s in the pipeline after this project?

We’re focused on getting the album out to as many ears as possible—through playlisting, press, live performances, and video content. Beyond that, we’re already writing new material and exploring the next evolution.

Thanks for reading.

Follow Dozenz on:
Website: dozenzmusic.com
Instagram: @dozenz
YouTube: Dozenz
Bandcamp: Dozenz