Dubai-based five-piece Karman Line is preparing to take its original rock music beyond the UAE, while members continue to balance music with careers in fields including advertising and aviation.
The band’s current line-up comprises Greg Brown on lead vocals and guitar, Frank Bassiouni on lead guitar and backing vocals, Simone Nisi on guitar, Petar Milošević on bass and Danny Langston on drums. Karman Line told Gulf News that it has signed with international touring agency Redline Music for potential shows and support slots across the UK, Europe and Scandinavia in 2027.
The international plans come as the group works on the follow-up to its debut album, Like A Machine, released in 2023. The album established Karman Line as an original UAE rock act, while the band’s latest release, Switching Gears (Live), arrived in June 2026.
A band built around working lives
Karman Line’s route to the stage has not followed the usual full-time musician model.
Brown has worked in advertising, while Milošević continues to work as cabin crew. Bassiouni, who previously balanced banking with music, has since moved into music full-time, according to the band’s Gulf News interview.
That juggling act has shaped the group’s development. Rehearsals and songwriting have had to fit around working schedules, commutes and other professional commitments.
The band’s origins can be traced to the pandemic, when Brown, Bassiouni and guitarist Tristan Surina began meeting regularly to write music. What started with acoustic guitars and short weekly sessions eventually developed into a full album project.
The line-up subsequently expanded, and the musicians began recording material that would become Like A Machine. Earlier reporting by Khaleej Times described the group as a five-piece multinational UAE band and reported that its debut album was launched in May 2023.
From a pandemic project to an album
The band’s first record took shape during the unusual conditions of the pandemic.
According to Karman Line, the members initially worked on songs during regular evening sessions before developing enough material for a full record. Producer Sandeep Sikera helped shape the project, while mixing and mastering were completed in the UK before the album returned to Dubai for its launch.
Like A Machine was released on May 5, 2023. The album contains 10 tracks, including “King of the Day”, “Rubicon”, “Loose on the Weekend”, “Something in the Water” and “Revelations”. Apple Music lists the album as the band’s 2023 full-length release.
Karman Line’s own website says the album has passed 300,000 streams and notes that two tracks were featured in Classic Rock magazine’s “Tracks of the Week”. Those figures and media references are claims published by the band itself.
Five musicians, different influences
The band’s multinational make-up has also influenced its sound.
The musicians arrived at rock through different routes. Bassiouni developed his interest in guitar as a teenager, Milošević moved from an early interest in rap towards rock, Nisi began with classical guitar in Italy, while Langston has worked in music from a young age.
Their songwriting process is similarly shared. Rather than relying on one songwriter, members bring fragments, melodies and unfinished ideas to studio sessions, where the group develops them collectively. The band says this process allows different musical influences to become part of the finished songs.
Earlier interviews also identified 1970s classic rock as one of the group’s influences, alongside newer rock acts.
A second album is taking shape
Karman Line is now building its second record from both new material and ideas that have accumulated since the first album.
Brown told Gulf News that the group does not want to simply reproduce its debut. Instead, the musicians are looking to evolve their sound as they continue writing and performing.
The band’s catalogue also continues to receive new releases. Apple Music lists Switching Gears (Live), released on June 19, 2026, as its latest release.
Taking UAE rock overseas
For Karman Line, the planned international expansion is also connected to a broader ambition for the UAE’s rock community.
The band members told Gulf News that they believe the country’s rock and metal scenes have developed considerably, but remain less visible internationally than they could be. Their planned 2027 touring opportunities are therefore being viewed not only as a chance to promote Karman Line, but also to introduce international audiences to music coming out of the UAE.
The group’s next stage will depend on how those international opportunities develop, alongside the work already under way on its second album.
For a band that began with a handful of musicians meeting for short evening writing sessions during the pandemic, the next phase could take Karman Line well beyond the Dubai venues where its story began.
Who are Karman Line?
Karman Line is a multinational UAE-based five-piece rock band comprising Greg Brown, Frank Bassiouni, Simone Nisi, Petar Milošević and Danny Langston.
Where is Karman Line based?
The band is based in the UAE and has developed its music and live presence in Dubai.
When did Karman Line release its debut album?
Like A Machine was released on May 5, 2023.
What is Karman Line working on now?
The band is developing its second album and continuing to release and perform music.
Does Karman Line have international plans?
According to the band’s September 2026 Gulf News interview, Karman Line has signed with Redline Music for opportunities involving shows and opening slots in the UK, Europe and Scandinavia in 2027.
Do all Karman Line members work as full-time musicians?
No. The band’s members have had different professional arrangements. Brown has worked in advertising, Milošević works as cabin crew, while Bassiouni has moved into full-time music.
What is Karman Line’s latest release?
Apple Music lists Switching Gears (Live), released June 19, 2026, as the band’s latest release
