Music Travel Love’s Rendition Of “Stand By Me” With Other UAE Singers Will Warm Your Heart This Valentine
Bob and Clint Moffatt of Music Travel Love have journeyed far and wide in their musical careers. Born in March 1984, they took to the stage at the tender age of three with their family band. Their first appearance was in 1988 during Timmy’s Springtime Telethon, performing alongside their older brother Scott (born in 1983) and their fraternal twin Dave.
Music Travel Love, often abbreviated as MTL, emerged in 2018 when Bob and Clint decided to carve their own path. The project’s motto, “travel the world making music, friends, videos, and memories,” captures the essence of their musical adventures. While many MTL videos showcase the brothers as a duo, they often collaborate with guest artists to enrich their performances.
One of their standout performances, a rendition of “Stand By Me,” released in 2018, has amassed 67 million views, making it one of their most-watched videos on YouTube. The band then released another version, filmed in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, which has quickly caught the attention of fans worldwide, garnering over 5.3 million views in just a couple of months. The public reaction was great, as the audience describe MTL’s song as “made the hair stand up on the back of their neck”, “perfection,” and “made an old favourite a new favourite.”
The Abu Dhabi rendition features Arqam Al Abri leading the first verse, complemented by the enchanting harmonies of Suzan Sadek, Donia El Hendi, and Maya Mashour. Though not visible in the video, Yudhis Arianto’s talent shines through his piano and strings accompaniment, recorded in a hotel room moments before filming outdoors. Among the guest artists, Arquam stands out in the UAE for his soulful voice and has made a significant impact with his breakthrough songs. Here is one of them, “Heavy.”
“Heavy,” alongside “Towards The Light,” stands out among Arqam’s notable works. Arqam, who initially embarked on a career in planning events and sponsorship, made a significant pivot towards music. Drawing inspiration from Motown, Boyz II Men, and Neo Soul, he also expresses a desire to weave in the music pattern of Lenny Kravitz and Radiohead into his music, and he’s keen on exploring Arabic tunes in future projects. You can find his YouTube channel here.
Meanwhile, Maya Mashhour, another band member, clinched the advanced rock and pop category at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Young Musician Award while attending Al Yasmina Academy, and securing the position of overall runner-up. Her impressive achievements earned her an invitation to perform at the 2023 ceremony as a distinguished former winner.
Susan Sadek, an Egyptian singer-songwriter, balances her passion for music with her studies in interactive design at New York University Abu Dhabi, where she recently graduated. She is known for her performances at local cafés, where she shares her musical talents alongside her academic pursuits.
Donning the moniker Donía, Donia El Hendi introduces listeners to her musical world with two songs available across various platforms, including Spotify and YouTube. Her repertoire includes a cover of Drake’s “Jungle” and an original piece titled “Angel In Disguise.”
Music Travel Love is lauded not just for their captivating rendition of “Stand By Me” but also for showcasing the exceptional talents of guest artists from the UAE. Those eager to discover more from Music Travel Love can follow their journey on their YouTube channel or follow them on Facebook, where they continue to share their musical adventures and collaborations.
