Interview | Basma Jabbar

Our BA Creative Musicianship alumna Basma Jabbar originally hails from Sweden but her love for music has taken her all over the world, including to ICMP in London. 

Since leaving our classroom, she has taken on a Master's course and now works for IMRSV in Stockholm, specalising in Dolby Atmos mixing, assisting in and running sessions, and managing label operations.  

We caught up with Basma to learn more about her music industry adventures, the various projects she has experienced alongside her advice for anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps.

How did you start off in music? 

Music has always been a significant part of my life. Growing up in a small town in Sweden, I was exposed to a diverse range of sounds - from Arabic music through my parents, to film scores and rock. Rock music, in particular, had a profound influence on me at the time, sparking an early obsession. I spent countless hours immersed in bands such as Metallica, Heart, Queen, Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Skid Row, and Black Sabbath - listening to their music, reading lyrics, and writing my own. This passion naturally evolved into songwriting and music composition, forming the foundation of my musical journey.

What led you to ICMP?

Before pursuing music professionally, I worked in visual effects for five years, as it seemed like a more "secure" path. However, I couldn't ignore my passion for music. I decided to take a break, moved to Tokyo, and spent time playing guitar, singing, and performing regularly with local musicians. After two years, I felt ready to take the next step toward a professional music career.

While researching contemporary music courses, I came across ICMP. It stood out as an exceptional university, and I wanted to study there while experiencing the vibrant music scene in London."

How did you find your time on the course? 

I completed the BA (Hons) Creative Musicianship degree at ICMP in 2020, and it was an incredible experience. The tutors, with their immense knowledge and industry expertise, were truly inspiring. I also formed connections with like-minded friends, many of whom I'm still in touch with today.

Beyond learning about songwriting and performance, the course instilled a deeper understanding of what's possible when you're truly determined. I gained valuable knowledge about composing, music production, collaborating with other musicians, understanding the music industry, and the artistic process of writing music - fundamental skills essential for success in the industry. The environment at ICMP was both motivating and transformative.

How did you find your way in the industry after finishing your studies?

Graduating in 2020, just as the pandemic began, came with its challenges. I returned to Sweden, uncertain about what the future held. During that time, I set up a home studio and focused on personal projects, including writing my own music and composing for film. I also took on online work, such as music editing for film and sound design. As the world began to recover, I enrolled in a Master's program at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm in 2022. The program, which only accepted eight students that year, was a great opportunity to reconnect with the Swedish music scene, having spent the previous five years in Japan and the UK. It offered invaluable mentorship and industry connections (with Basma's class and mentors pictured below).

One of my mentors, Hans Gardemar - a highly accomplished producer, composer, arranger, and musician who has worked with artists such as the Scorpions and Andrea Bocelli - introduced me to IMRSV Music during a recording session. The studio's exceptional atmosphere and talented staff left a lasting impression on me. Witnessing the head engineer, Willem Bleeker, skillfully at work was especially inspiring and further fueled my passion for audio engineering. He is a highly renowned, knowledgeable, and professional audio engineer with extensive experience across a variety of musical settings and artists, having worked at the studio since 2009.

How did you get involved with IMRSV?

Six months after my initial visit to IMRSV Music, I reached out to them via email to inquire about internship opportunities. This led to an internship where I assisted Willem with various recording sessions, including string ensembles, big band, and jazz, as well as Dolby Atmos mixes.

IMRSV Music also operates as a label, which allowed me to contribute to Dolby Atmos mixes for their releases.

Balancing my Master's studies, thesis writing, and the internship was challenging but incredibly rewarding, particularly as I was able to integrate recordings for my immersive audio research at the studio."

After six months of dedication and hard work, I was thrilled to be offered a position at IMRSV Music.

What does your work involve?

At IMRSV, my role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from Dolby Atmos mixing and setting up for recordings to running sessions and managing label operations. I oversee parts of the label's operations, managing music deliveries to DSPs and ensuring details like metadata and release timelines are accurate.

Balancing these varied responsibilities keeps my work both exciting and dynamic. I enjoy shifting between creative and technical tasks, which allows me to contribute to projects in multiple ways while staying closely connected to the artistic process.

Have there been any favorite projects you've worked on with IMRSV?

Every project at IMRSV has been enjoyable, but a few truly stand out.

Recently, I assisted in a recording session for Norrbotten Big Band, one of Sweden's top big bands, and Michael Mayo, a renowned contemporary R&B/soul and pop singer and composer. It was incredible to witness them perform and record each song in a single take, delivering an outstanding version every time.

Another major highlight was assisting Grammy-nominated engineer Dan Malsch with hybrid mixing on the SSL Duality Delta Console. Observing his process was fascinating, and I gained valuable insights into prioritising elements in the workflow."

His mixes were remarkable - punchy, wide, and exuding a polished sound.

Leading recording sessions with harp and sitar was also memorable. These sessions, initiated by me, were carefully planned with immersive microphone techniques and Dolby Atmos mixing in mind.

Additionally, working on Dolby Atmos mixes for artists such as IVE, Polun, Benjamin Ingrosso, Cravity, and Claudia Valentina has been both enjoyable and creatively fulfilling.

Beyond the projects, what truly makes IMRSV exceptional is the team. We collaborate closely, constantly exploring innovative approaches to push the boundaries of what we can achieve musically. Working alongside talented colleagues like David Stenmarck, Axel Åkerlund, Willem Bleeker, Fredrik Landh, and William Birgersson has been invaluable, as they bring a wealth of knowledge in audio engineering, music production, and the music business.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Pursuing a career in music requires hard work, continuous learning, and determination. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, build a supportive community, and always remain open to new opportunities. Don't be shy about reaching out to studios or companies. Even if you don't receive a response, you never know when the timing might align perfectly. Embrace rejections as redirections to something better.

Most importantly, stay committed to your passion - you will have to work extremely hard, and smart, to get anywhere. This might not be the case for everyone, but from what I've seen, it often is."

What future projects does the rest of 2025 have in store?

I'm working on an upcoming progressive rock EP inspired by a letter and poem my father wrote to my mother in 1992. This deeply meaningful project, developed during my Master's degree, features collaborations with incredible musicians, including Chris Lee, Tom Jondelius and Felix Kling.

For this EP, I recorded strings with the Stockholm Studio Orchestra, led by conductor Erik Arvinder, featuring a beautiful arrangement by Henrik Langemyr. This recording was partially funded by a local scholarship I received from The Royal Academy of Music, KMA.

At IMRSV, we regularly record the Stockholm Studio Orchestra, which includes some of Sweden's finest players, but working with them on my own music made the experience especially meaningful and memorable.

Additionally, I've been exploring immersive recording techniques and creative Dolby Atmos mixing approaches, which I plan to continue developing.

I feel fortunate to balance this deeply personal journey with my work at IMRSV in such an inspiring and innovative environment.

basmajabbar.com | IMRSV