The Middle East has deep history when it comes to powerful, female singers, but few contemporary artists have caught the imagination of the Arab world quite like Yasmine Hamdan. Spending most of her time between Paris and Beirut, the Lebanese singer-songwriter is unlike any female artist in the region right now. Having come to the attention of the masses with Zeid Hamdan as part of too-cool-for-school duo, Soapkills, Ms Hamdan stands as an almost celestially musical being, who's distinct approach to her craft continues to produce some truly unique results.

More starstruck in this case than usual, we sat down with the songstress ahead of what turned out to be one hell of a night at the Music Tent.

Ok, Yasmine, tell us a little bit about how it all began - what inspired you to follow the musical path?

It actually all began by accident. I met Zeid (Hamdan, but no relation) at school; he was doing music and I had always dreamt of singing but I never understood the mechanisms or where to begin. Singing started as a hobby and then became more serious – I realised that this was what I wanted to do with my life. This is what thrills me; it drives me to progress and do things. I’m also very stubborn - this was another reason I went into music. I didn’t give myself the choice to do anything else. I was lucky enough to know what I wanted to do at a very young age.

Lucky you - some of us still have no idea. So, how do you feel about being called the ‘Modern Voice of the Arab World’?

I don’t support it, nor am I against it. It’s a label people use when writing an article; they want it to be attractive. I don’t consider myself as this or that, I’m a living person.