Dana Al Fardan, Qatari composer and songwriter, adds CEO to her title with the launch of her new record label, and the first Qatari record label, DNA Records.

Commenting on the driving force behind her to decision to enter into artist management, promotion and production, Dana says, “DNA records is a platform for something long term and sustainable, to support local and International artists and provide them with the tools to see their dreams into reality.”

DNA Records operates over an international space working with recording studios in London as well as a private recording studio in Qatar. Artists benefit from a cultural exchange as International artists are brought to Qatar

DNA Records debut artist is Irish group The Ryan O’Reilly Band, and according to Dana this is where their efforts will focus on for the time being.

“It’s important to me, as someone who has been an artist, that the artist is looked after and not exploited, which is something that is becoming more common practice with some large management firms,” Dana shares. “DNA Records offers a 50/50 joint venture with the artist as opposed to the industry norm of 80/20 that benefits the label and not the artist.”

“DNA Records is about the music, and the people who create it,” commented DNA Records business Development Manager Dan Brown. “It’s not about signing the most artists, making the most profit or being the biggest. It’s about quality and commitment to each artist. We are in the business of protecting our artists and making sure they get the best deal.”

To get a foot in the local market, DNA Records jumped on the opportunity to sponsor local singing competition, Youth Got Talent, in December 2014, where CEO Dana played an intrinsic role as judge for 40 participants. The winner was awarded to chance to record their very own music video and demo with DNA Records.

On February 21^st, 2015, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, in association with DNA Records, will be putting on a show entitled Layla, the title of one of Dana’s songs and her daughter’s namesake. The show, for Dana, is the pinnacle of her music career as she graciously states, “it is the biggest goal one can achieve as a composer, especially someone like myself who never attended mainstream music school, to have your songs played on stage by one of the most respected music groups in the world.”

Layla is comprised of a collection of music composed by Dana and performed by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, and will feature favourites such as Paint, Pride of a Nation and of course Layla.

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