— Can you share more about the concept behind The Flip Side? How long does it exist? How did it develop throughout the years?

— The Flip Side is, at its heart, a record shop. Nothing revolutionary about that — record shops have been around since the 1950s. But when we opened in 2017, there was not a single one in the UAE or the wider GCC. I just wanted a place to buy records, and since it did not exist, I had to create it myself. My thought process was: if I was looking for vinyl, there must be others out there too.

The shop has grown entirely organically, and you can feel it the moment you step inside — it has its own soul. That kind of magic only happens when you stay true to your vision from day one. And now I am proud to say that The Flip Side has been featured in multiple books and magazines, and word of it has spread across the world. That is something that means a lot to me.

— How do you search for new names to feature in your in-store recordings?

— I do not. People come into the shop, and we get to know each other. Being part of the community comes first — everything else follows naturally. At some point, if it feels right, I invite them to play. So I would say there is no set plan; things just happen the way they are meant to.

— How do the in-store recordings at The Flip Side differ from others around the world?

— You know, they do not — at least I hope so! We are not trying to reinvent the wheel. My favourite record shops all have their own unique heartbeat, their own soul and character, shaped by their location, the people who run them, and the music they specialise in. The Flip Side is no different.

But if I had to pick something that sets our in-store recordings apart, it is the sheer range of music we showcase — we cover a massive spectrum. From day one, I knew that for The Flip Side to work in a city like Dubai, I had to offer all kinds of music. In other places, you might get away with focusing on a niche genre because there are loads of record shops around — but here, variety is everything. And honestly, looking back, I am so glad I made that choice because it has led me to discover so much amazing music, both old and new.

— How does the in-store experience connect with your Shadi Shadow Show? How did you come up with the idea?

— The Shadi Shadow Show actually started before The Flip Side. It began in 2014, after I moved back from New York. At the time, I was buying a lot of older records — genres that I would not typically play in a club setting. It all started when my friend Salah Sadeq invited me to record a set for his show, The Crate. From there, I began inviting friends to feature as guests, and now, 48 episodes later, I plan to keep it going for as long as humanly possible. Reaching 100 episodes will be a special milestone.

Originally, SSS was a radio show recorded in the context of a house party. I do not usually record them at the shop, but for Quoz Arts Fest, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring the community together. Expect the shows to air soon on Sandy Times Radio. Much love to all the guests who played incredible music over the weekend!

— Tell me more about the Flip Side sessions? What do you find unique about them?

— I can see how the stage is evolving — the in-store sessions are now consistently held on Sundays, the perfect time for people to visit record stores, browse at leisure, and maybe pick up something they have heard playing on the main sound system. More people come to share, and more people come to listen.

The last event was something special — it was hosted by The Flip Side in collaboration with Sandy Times and aimed to showcase artists from all walks of life. We had some incredible talents: Samir Lajmi, a Tunisian artist known for his presence on the festival scene and his dedicated following; DJs Ramzy and DJ Bling, a duo called Bodywork who recently moved from the USA and bring soulful house flavours; Amr, a well-known photojournalist with Reuters, who opened the first day. We also featured some female DJs — Zenim, with a diverse record collection and a growing Instagram presence, and Nastya, a talented Russian DJ and producer who recently relocated here to showcase her skills. And that is not even the full list!

— What do you think is the main goal of the collaboration between Sandy Times Radio and The Flip Side?

— For Sandy Times Radio, it is about discovering new sounds. For the artists performing in the in-store sessions (especially the newer ones) it is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure and be heard. It provides an alternative to the club scene, which can be quite difficult to break into. We are doing our best to create a space where people can express themselves through the music they love.