At times it may seem that our cultures are incompatible, but we have more in common than we can even imagine.
What is Country for Syria?
We are an international musical collective of Syrian musicians and refugee helpers, blending Middle Eastern folk music with American Country.
You can support us in our daily efforts helping refugees and folks affected by the conflict, and help us record our first album. Please, donate now.
![]()
![]()
What kind of music do we make?
Country music has its origins in the American Civil War. Now, Syria is in the midst of its own civil war. Our music combines Country Music with Middle Eastern Folk Music to draw parallels between the musical and lyrical themes of these genres, and to connect personal experiences of conflict and migration from around the world, especially in the Middle East.
Country and Arabic folk music share themes of migration, love, loneliness, longing for home, patriotism, relationship to God, and relationship to place. They tell their stories through narrative ballads, through pastoral meditations, by praising folk heroes and in the idealization of a lost way of life.
How can it be that these two musical genres, from continents apart, can possibly sound good together?
Just Listen.
Your donation will help folks affected by the crisis, and help us record our album:
- $4000 will go to Syrian and Turkish guest musicians, who will be featured on our album
- $900 will go to our videographer, who has already worked with us shooting at our concerts and rehearsals and editing our videos. He will document our album's development in the studio
- $1000 will go to equipment and instruments including microphones and effects
- $3000 will go to the recording studio and sound engineers working with us
- $1100 will go to the cost of the IndieGoGo campaign and to sending you special thank you gifts from the Olive Tree Women's Craft Collective
- Any extra money will go to refugees and people affected by the conflict. We do this by providing money directly to refugees, helping them with their daily needs or in emergencies, and by playing shows whose proceeds go to organizations whose mission is to help those affected by the conflict.
A special thank you for your donation from
Olive Tree Women's Craft Collective
Small Projects Istanbul runs a craft collective at its Olive Tree community center in Fatih, Istanbul, where Syrian refugee women have the opportunity to develop skills in hand crafts and earn livelihood support to help them rebuild their lives. They produce a range of jewellery and bags including sterling silver rings, woven silver charm bracelets, knitted hats and scarves, urban design cotton pouch and tote bags and a range of embroidered accessories based on Syrian tile designs.
They have offered to send you a special gift for your donation, and part of every donation will go to support Small Projects for Syria and the Olive Tree Women's Craft Collective.
For a $50 donation, you will receive a handwoven bracelet.
For a $100 donation, you will receive a handmade tote bag featuring the Country for Syria and Small Projects Istanbul logos.
For a $200 donation you will receive a handwoven bracelet with a Sterling Silver charm.
Find out more about them along with links to buy their crafts at
![]()
Why do we do what we do?
Those affected by conflict are not just refugees. They are musicians and artists, mothers and fathers, football fans, students, and ice cream lovers; they are whole people. This temporary situation does not define them, but their culture and creative work does.
Country for Syria’s mission is cultural diplomacy and mutual aid. Middle Eastern and American cultures are often seen as polar opposites, yet they have so much in common. Not only do we strive to help people see and hear these connections, but we also work to raise awareness about and raise money for those affected by conflict in the Middle East.
