the weirdest thing just happened...I came across a band that I never thought would gain any recognition.
I was browsing the Atlantic's website and found this.
a couple of years ago, I went to Blake's in Berkeley to see these guys. I was originally supposed to go with a friend of mine who liked the band but ended up calling someone else, as my friend came down with a bad flu. neither of us knew the band, but we both enjoyed the set a lot.
Persian rock bands aren't a dime a dozen, after all. there even have been songs written about how sparse pop music is in Iran.
anyhow, I never followed up with the band, but they're sounding great. I might just go a-scouring for their music later.
visit them on MYSPACE. one of them even has Jimmy Page-like locks goin' on.
3 comments:
Their music is pretty catchy! From interviews online it seems that the guy with the long locks is quite young (19 or 20 now)... he must have been a wee youngster when you saw them play! That's great that they have been able to fight the adversity to rock music in Iran and not only write music and play local shows but also go on tour and record! Speaking of which, there's a free single on their website (going on my ipod now to listen to tomorrow!) Here's hoping the newfound American attention doesn't get them too much unwanted attention from their oppressors in Iran.
Also, speaking of Persian rock musicians, there are two Pakistani women named Zeb and Haniya who graduated from my college and its sister-school about five years ago and have become pretty well known for their pop rock/alternative/folk/easy listening (etc, etc...) music. Their debut album is called "Chup" and has been doing well (it's on itunes and they won the MTV music awards best live act of 2009). And happily they have actually been widely recognized and accepted in Pakistan by popular music stations and producers/other musicians. I don't know anything about the acceptance of certain music genres there but just the fact that they have achieved that as women is pretty sweet. I haven't actually heard any of it save for the 30 second sound bytes on itunes, but it sounds pretty chill. It's definitely got that laid-back world pop music vibe. Their site is here (also with free mp3s, but that page is currently under construction): http://www.zebandhaniya.com/index.html
also, I unfortunately did not make it to the National concert on Monday night (tickets sold out before I could buy one, and I ended up being way too busy with school work anyway).
BUT there is a music festival happening here in two weeks that I am so going to!!!! (If I decide to splurge... it's pretty pricey whether you go for one day or both). Arctic Monkeys will be playing, plus Crystal Castles, Mew (huge Danish indie/prog-rock band... iTunes posted "Apocalypso" off their 2005 album as a free single of the week back when they used to actually give away good songs occasionally) and a bunch of other cool bands (full list here if you're curious: http://www.last.fm/event/933891+Beatday'09)
whoa. you are thorough! I commend you.
I'll definitely look up everything you mentioned, thanks!
have fun at the festival! Arctic Monkeys are always worth everything in your wallet.
also, the young guy from Hypernova prolly wasn't in the band when I saw them...there were only four guys then.
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