Maha Amiri’s The Muse is a show inspired by its guests

Maha Amiri hosts The Muse on Abu Dhabi Classic FM, where the music can range from Vivaldi to Elvis. Delores Johnson / The National

Maha Amiri loves what she does. Every week, she tracks down artists, filmmakers, writers, comedians, musicians and poets in the UAE and asks them one question: what music do they listen to when they want to be inspired?

Amiri is the host of The Muse, an hour-long talk and music radio show on Abu Dhabi Classics FM (owned by Abu Dhabi Media, who also own The National) that is broadcast on Fridays from 3pm to 4pm.

“A lot of people tell me they haven’t heard something like this on the radio before,” says the 32-year-old Emirati, adding that the show is always unpredictable because every person has different taste in music, so Vivaldi might play alongside Elvis Presley, or Jennifer Lopez might follow Enya.

“The unpredictability lends a fun angle to the show,” says Amiri. “The listener doesn’t know what’s coming next – it might be Michael Jackson, or some French music or an Italian song.”

Amiri is both comfortable and energetic on air — she quickly establishes an easy rapport with her guest and draws them out until they are comfortable sharing personal anecdotes to go with each musical choice.

“The show is a combination of me talking to my guests and learning about what they do, as well as playing the music that they like,” she explains. “The music they pick is usually something that influences them, or touched them at some point of their life. They bring a different energy to each episode.”

Amiri believes it is a good way for the listener to learn more about the guest and how he or she might approach their work.

When it launched in October, the show’s first guest was Emirati painter and fashion designer Sumayya Al Suwaidi. Since then, the show has hosted an eclectic mix of people, including artists Jacqueline Craig, Shurooq Amin and Sara Dheays, Emirati filmmakers Mustafa Abbas and Nawaf Al Janahi, and Emirati comedian Ali Al Sayed, who Amiri says made for one of the most entertaining interviews.

“I learn a lot from my guests and there is so much happening that isn’t on TV or in mainstream news,” says the radio jockey. “I kind of feel like I’m uncovering gems here, these people and the things they do and the events they are involved in. A lot of it is grass roots, things that don’t make a big splash but people should still know about this.

“I love it, I love the interviewing part of it. I get to talk to people their creative work, something they are so passionate about, and they always get energised as they talk and you can feel it.”

Matthew Sansom, head of station at Abu Dhabi Classic FM, says The Muse gives a voice to those working in the country's cultural landscape.

"There is quite a cultural scene and sometimes it's hard to find out about it," says Sansom. "Creative people come on The Muse and get to talk about their lives, their interests, what they do, and it's really interesting to hear about the kind of music that creative people listen to when they are working – whether it's an Emirati artist who likes to listen to Pink or to rap music, or someone who says, 'All I listen to is music my dad played when I was growing up'."

• Abu Dhabi Classic FM (@abudhabiclassic on Instagram) is on 91.6FM in Abu Dhabi, 87.9FM in Dubai and 105.2FM in Al Ain. The Muse, presented by Maha Amiri, airs every Friday from 3pm to 4pm. Follow The Muse with Maha on Facebook and on Instagram and Twitter (@TheMuseWithMaha). Visit www.abudhabiclassicfm.ae to stream online