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“Over the years, my mother has chronicled our travels with family videos”, Wafia explains. “We are an immigrant family and this was the best way we could show family back home what our day to day life was like. In 2006 we visited Syria and this was the first time our family videos included them. This video is really special to my heart and is soundtracked by a live version of Bodies performed by it’s co-writer, Ben Abraham, and myself. From my family to yours.” 

This live recording and home video follows the release of her official video for the single, which premiered via NYLON earlier this month and comes in support of Wafia’s highly anticipated VIII EP, which is now set for release on January 19 on Future Classic.

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Wafia (Al-Rikabi) – who was born in the Netherlands to Syrian and Iraqi parents and is now based in Brisbane – wrote ‘Bodies’ on the day her Syrian family was denied permission to enter Australia amidst the escalating conflict there and Trump’s Muslim ban in America. ‘Bodies’ was co-written by Ben Abraham (Kesha’s ‘Praying’), produced by Robopop (Lana Del Rey, Charli XCX), and follows ’83 Days’, the first song released from the forthcoming VIII EP.

Wafia also today shares North American tour dates in January and February of 2018, in addition to European dates with BØRNS next month. Kicking off in Vancouver, the North American tour will make stops in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City and more. See below for full dates and details.

Pre-order VIII EP, including tracks ‘83 Days’ and ‘Bodies’ now.

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WAFIA

TOUR DATES

November 15 – London, UK – Scala*
November 16 – Amsterdam, NED – Q-Factory*
November 18 – Copenhagen, DK – Vega Small Hall*
November 19 – Stockholm, SE – Debaser Strand*
November 21 – Berlin, DE – Lido*
November 24 – Paris, FR – Les Etoiles Theatre*
January 1– Sydney, NSW – Field Day Festival
January 22 – Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
January 23 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
January 24 – Seattle, WA – Barboza
January 26 – San Francisco, CA – Rickshaw Stop
January 27 – Los Angeles, CA – Masonic Lodge
January 29 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern
January 30 – Toronto, ON – Drake Hotel
February 1 – Brooklyn NY – Rough Trade
February 2 – Boston, MA – Great Scott
February 3 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd

*with BØRNS
Tickets at wafiamusic.com

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’Bodies’ is out now via Future Classic. Buy/stream it here.

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PRAISE FOR WAFIA

“Wafia just can’t seem to put a foot wrong at the moment and with her latest single, “Bodies”, she’s all but confirmed that her forthcoming EP ‘VIII’ is going to be one helluva project. Following on from lead single “83 Days“, the new single is one of Wafia’s most sonically bold releases yet. Masked in extremely catchy synth-pop melodies and a singalong-ready hook, although the surface shines extremely bright, the cut’s beauty is in its underlying meaning.”
Best Before

“Wafia…is focused on making music that’s accessible to everyone.” 
VICE’s Broadly

“Wafia is using pop as protest. The 24-year-old makes a song about the Syrian refugee crisis ‘accessible’ with an uplifting, lightweight alt-pop melody.”
Harper’s Bazaar

“23-year-old singer songwriter Wafia is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Australian artists to emerge in recent years.”
Howl & Echoes

‘Hear Wafia’s Powerful And Personal Single About The Refugee Crisis’
Junkee Music

“With production characterized by weary low-end rumbles and resonant keys,

‘Wafia continues to be one of Australia’s most important artists with her new single ‘Bodies’ – “The single is one of the most powerful of the year in both meaning and sound.’”
Pilerats

‘WAFIA’S ‘BODIES’ IS PURPOSEFUL POP AT IT’S MOST ACCESSIBLE’
Project U

“The song is invigorating and almost triumphal in its sound. A measured and relatable approach to writing a song about such a heavy topic, it definitely succeeds in conjuring that togetherness Wafia was aiming for.”
Purple Sneakers

“This Future Classic signee is flawless”
Run The Trap

AMNPLIFY – DB