Not sure if you still remember but I also happen to write reviews!lol Well, I don’t blame you if you’ve forgot. Its been a while since the last one due to my other commitments in life and the fact that our industry went silent in early summer and has stayed in hiatus ever since! Perhaps the longest in the past decade, especially the LA branch. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that my review on the fabulous baker boys’ album is up! You know, Ghannadi brothers, …”bakers”, … the movie about the musician brothers Baker boys … eh, never mind!lol
In case you have missed the sensation this 5 minutes long short film by the Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez has created then here is your chance to check it out! This FX specialist created something that has taken Hollywood by storm and allegedly opened doors for him to create full-length features. If he has managed to create this with basically nothing than I don’t even dare to imagine what he can achieve with the kind of budget the big companies can offer!
It feels like lately every second post is about Sirvan and I for one hate it because I know that its exactly what the guy wants to achieve through his systematic publicity stunts and announcements! If there is one thing I hate is tabloid journalism and right now I feel that thanks to him and Benyamin my blog is turning to a tabloid, even though its only the official news I try to reflect. But just to follow up the whole concert cancellation charade for those who care to follow it I thought informing that Sirvan has in a recent interview with Nassim magazine and in a dialog-driven interview with Ali Pahlevan and his brother Xaniar for Mooisghe Maa said that he blames the permit-seeking failure on the “Mafia of music”! Referring to his record company and the fact that “corrupt and incompetent” men own the rights to his concerts. Apparently the record company IranGaam which has got many of today’s artists on its roster and in particular its director/manager Hosseinkhani has said that he refuses to arrange any concerts for Sirvan, neither will he allow him to arrange own concerts or let anyone else do it for him! Sirvan concludes the reason for this destructive attitude as common in the industry. Regarding Benyamin’s recent attacks Sirvan says that he doesn’t know what generated that sudden hostility and that Benyamin only ruined his own image by trash-talking him like that. He is a supposed superstar who hasn’t yet manged to receive a concert permit, Sirvan says, while ridiculing Benyamin’s lyrics together with his brother Xaniar who continues ridiculing other artists’ banal lyrics (unlike his own?). Our albums received permission almost simultaneously and although Benyamin’s manager Rajabpour has from a year before that made clear that he didn’t wish for our albums to collide I personally wanted that to happen, Sirvan says. To measure the strengths and even though Benyamin’s album has sold more than mine, not that much to brag about, its solely because of the fact that my manager worked against me by not promoting my album. He wanted to ruin Rajabpour by releasing it at the same time but also ruin me by not promoting it, I myself had to put up all the promo-posters at nights. I should have put up the songs for download on my website instead, Sirvan says, that way at least i would have been free to preform for whoever I wanted. Sirvan and his brother also complain that they have to spend so much time and money on an album while the undergrounders like Mehdi Assadi whom they arrange for make ten times the profit of such album in a single party performance. Sirvan also complains about weaker singers receiving the support of the state media and foundations while he who is “one of the bests” of the industry doesn’t!
The interview is long and the three artists do bring up many issues that are in fact valid, especially about the politics of the industry and the ministry, however with each point made sadly invalidating it directly through contradictions and self-proclamations! Its basically pot calling the kettle black. I am just sorry to see Ali Pahlevan whom I always admired for his positive and down-to-earth nature on a corner of all this mess! Whining about the fact that they are so many in the band who have to share the little profits, that he makes that kind of money in two months as an engineer, that his fellow lead does furniture ads, that he is too old to preform for teenagers, that critics say that his lyrics have improved and the fact that normal people sit on the front row of their concerts and not super-stars and VIPs who arrive in limos!!!
I mean …. WHAT!!?!!!!!!!!!!!!
When someone like Ali Pahlevan turns to this kind of charades of snobbery and adopts the recent tradition of publicity stunts then all I can say is: May God have mercy on us all!!
In an interview with Moosighie Maa Hamid Askari says that he doesnt expect the same success that he once had with “Coma 1″ to happen even for the newly released follow up “Coma 2″. Such unexpected success happens only with a debut and it depended 100% on its arrangements, he explains. But I’m sure even this one will succeed in its own way since I have tried to deliver the same formula, though more current and up-to-date, Askari adds. It should be mentioned that I always redress all my songs in last minute, so was the case even with this album’s songs. They all sound different to the demos people might have heard. Regarding his collaboration with Nima Varasteh as the sole arranger of the album Askari explains that things are now back to normal with Milad Torabi (after a disagreement with the arranger of his debut). Much of “Coma 1″ was recorded in Nima’s studio, Askari points out, however in this album it has been more official. Even though I trust Nima’s decisions I must say that my own influence is also tangible in the outcome. On the critique on his technically suffering lyrics he says that he is not a poet but only writes from his heart. Askari comments the fact that he has signed one of the biggest deals in the showbusiness industry with the Hedayat Film company as something that wasn’t supposed to be public knowledge. The company now owns all rights to his music and concerts and there has been talks about Askari acting in movies, an ambition Askari himself sees as a mere hobby. “We are all actors, one way or another” argues the young artist. Since I do not intend to go processional its a fun risk I am willing to take. Askari further explains that even though fame has brought him material comfort, since “Coma 1″ was the best-selling album of that year and led to him breaking concert records it has also meant mental discomfort for him. Every day I get slandered by the press and backstabbed by so called colleagues, he complains. Regarding Benyamin’s accusations Askari says that he didn’t respond because he wanted to let the readers judge independently. I am myself a fan of Benyamin and even enjoy his latest album despite many underrating it, however I choose not to get involved in this kind of approach in the media, even though it highly affected me! Mohsen Yeganeh chose to retaliate with words on my behalf, I know Mohsen personally unlike Benyamin and it might be why he reacted so strongly despite such gentle character, Askari explains. I respect both of these gentlemen and ultimately believe that if each one of us spends the time that is wasted on attacks and counter-attacks on our own work and music instead, we could all benefit from the progress!
If you know me then I surely don’t need to explain why I am eagerly waiting for this French cinematic biopic of Serge Gainsbourg! If you are not familiar with this French icon, I don’t think that one can really describe him and his work with words. Let’s just say that he means for the popular music what Salvador Dali means for the popular art. A true provocateur of the progressive kind, for better and worse!
His perhaps most famous opus, sang here together with his lover and muse Jane Birkin (parents to the equally provoking actress Charlotte Gainsbourg), which has been recognized as a historic soundtrack to sex!
As dynamic and uneven as this artist’s character and career happen to be, it is truly a difficult task to make him justice in a couple of hours of film, However based on the trailer of “Vie Héroïque” they seem to have been able to gather the essence of the legend. Romanticized in a way only French films can be. Not to mention finding an actor with such extraordinary physical resemblance that you at times forget that its not a documentary you are watching!
When I wrote about Rihanna’s “Reloaded” album two years ago I had no idea that it was going to be the golden cash cow milked for more editions than fingers on your both hands! Each reloaded (pun very much intended) with a couple of new remixes or video clips. Ridiculous really, even though I normally appreciate special editions. Her recent album was released after the whole Chris Brown scandal and gave impression to be a feisty and loaded album. Both lyrically and musically, especially considering that its been titled “Rated R” and dark in color and tone. But strangely there is no edge to the collection at all! No raging and roaring tigress! As a matter of fact it happens to be one of her more mellow and subtle albums ’til date!
The album looks decent and I even ordered the exclusive HMV edition with the unique black slipcase, but there stops anything that is remotely dark and tough about this album. She might wish to raise hell with this album, but the closest she comes to hell is to look like a cute and sweet-cheeked little devilette!
And Finally Richard’s tremendous efforts paid off! A radio in Holland made Sirvan’s “Saate 9″ song the song-of-the-week and has given it high-rotation. They are also interested to get in touch with the artist and will most likely feature other songs of his in future. Having been following the process via Richard’s updates I must say that the most difficult task Richard had to face wasn’t really to convince the radio to play the guy’s song but rather to get any response from the guy himself who seemed to show no interest whatsoever that his song is being played on a European radio station!! Despite me translating the message of the radio it took a while before he finally responded and thanked Rickard for his efforts. Again, thank you Richard for your interest and efforts to promote the Iranian music! Something we Iranians aren’t that good at ourselves!
In recent week IRIB released a list of artists whose work have either completely or partly, definitely or indefinitely been banned from the state media. Foremost the state radio! This is a long list of all sorts of artists, dead and alive, young and old, modern and religious! Artists such as AliReza Eftekhari, Mohammad Esfehani, Fereydoun, Ali Lohrasebi, Ehsan Khajehamiri, Kouros Sarhangzadeh, Hossein Zaman, AliReza Assar, Mohammad Nouri, FathAli Oveisi and Nasser Abdollahi. IRIB’s director of public relations Kioumars Tahmasebi has not really given any reason for the sudden sanctioning, however unofficial sources claim that these are all artists who have one way or another been in dispute with the state media for unauthorized broadcasting of their material! It should be mentioned that there was a recent legal showdown between IRIB and Homayoun Shajarian regarding the issue, which might have triggered the action taken.
Each year we see more and more talented Iranians making it to the different talent-search shows on televisions around the globe. While UK witnessed Behrouz Ghaemi on its X Factor this year, Swedish Idol featured Eddie Razaz on its roster! Sadly just like Sepideh last year, Eddie didn’t make it all the way but while on the show he managed to build a solid fan-base!
The national museum of music opened gates to public last week, after seven years of planning and preparation. The museum is 3000 square-meters large and built in three levels. Displaying everything from historic documents to state of the art technology!
I’ve recommended my good friend and your fellow reader Pedram’s blog in past, it has however been in hiatus in past 365 days but returned with new direction! Check it out!
As a reminder, if you are a blogger (with actual content and not a file-sharing blog) then by all means share it with me and others by dropping me an e-mail with the link. Whether its art or articles or any kind of other intellectual properties, your blogging would actually be a contribution to our Iranian culture and community on the Internet! In particular those who do not read or write Persian but still would love to connect culturally. Do dare, there is no risk! Worst case scenario you stop or take a break. No serious losses involved. I personally have been blogging in more than three years now, so if there is anything you would like to know about the format just ask away. I’ll gladly assist you! Now, start blogging!
The season 3 of Mad Men has just ended and as another testimony to this TV-series’ popular cultural influence several fashion houses have officially announced Mad Men-inspired lines to hit the streets next year! Some have already launched their shark grey “Don Draper” suits.
The truth is that even though this show’s production quality is impeccable much of its stylistic appeal is thanks to Don Draper and his pivotal character. Let’s just say that Mad Men IS Don Draper! But while the character looks like perfection personified and basically oozes charisma Jon Hamm, the actor playing him, couldn’t be further away from the fictive persona he portrays. Look at the pictures below, while Don Draper looks sharp like a billion dollar God of power and style Jon Hamm looks like a …hobo basically! I don’t think that I have ever seen such dramatic difference between an actor and the character he plays. At least not this way around, its like as if Don Draper has been roughed up to play Jon Hamm! I think, just like Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano, this will be one of those cases where an actor’s on-screen ego will become so larger than the actor himself that it will become a professional burden and he wont get any other roles because of the unshakable personification!
The state radio intends to debate the underground music in the “Shabestane” program. This will be a critical review and a comparative study of the legal and illegal productions, the producer Ali Aminipour says.
Just like I feared the cover image and design were revised and the disappointment became a fact! Not a huge one, nonetheless a disappointment like all her previous albums. The poor content of the booklet is even worse! The musical content of the album however is much better than its appearance, some decent productions there. Too bad I can’t stay mad at her for too long! hehe
This shot is NOT included, just to piss me off I’m sure!lol
To celebrate the birthday of Imam Reza a brand new compilation is released. This various artist compilation is the first of its kind since its popularity peak during the rebirth of POP music back in 1997. Entitled “Hasht (8)” it features eight artists who each preform their homages to the eight Imam of the Shiites. Hami, Mohsen Chavoshi, Reza Sadeghi, Reza Yazadani and Ali Ashabi are the more famous stars in the line up. I have previously approached the religious POP phenomenon in the blog and the tributes to this particular holy icon in several LA-artists’ album reviews.
At the same time Benyamin Bahadori’s manger Rajabpour announced that he will be releasing a two-track single with both songs praising the eight Imam. There have been rumors about Benyamin creating an entire collection for holy icons, which is boosted by this recent announcement. This is not the first time Benyamin and his lyricist Farid Ahmadi have been creating religious POP hymns!
In recent week we have been informed about Sirvan’s debut concert and also its sudden cancellation. I must say that once I saw that promo poster without time and place popping up, I just knew this was going to be announced canceled pretty soon! It was to me a potential publicity stunt, considering Sirvan’s recent moves to exposure! Sirvan along with Benyamin top the line of stars who have just discovered that the use of the media for publicity purposes is much more likley in the domestic context, if it gets to be about controversies rather than conventional promotion. At first rumor had that Ershaad had suddenly canceled the whole event, then (before it got out of hand?) Sirvan announced the place of this supposed event and praised the ministry for all its POP-friendly efforts and support in recent year, instead accusing the “organizer” for not having submitted a request for the permit, despite four months of preparation and practice for him and his band. Now the questions is, would someone like Sirvan remain silent about a debut concert which was supposedly planned and practiced with a big band four months in advance, ’til just a while before the concert?! No promotion?! And if there was so many months of planning and preparation then why was the time and location left out?! It all just doesn’t add up to anything but a publicity stunt! Then again, its the domestic industry so you never know!
I’m loving this HOT photo set of Sepideh, shot by Siros Kerdouni. Like I’ve said before Sepideh is a beautiful, talented and sexy woman who is not afraid of showcasing what she has got! Unlike many who decide to do the same, but instead with what they DO NOT got! This kind of confidence is a quality I have always applauded and supported in all artists, both female and male. Even non-artists for that matter! For the entire set and more please visit Sepideh’s myspace.
In recent week we have been informed about Sirvan’s debut concert and also its sudden cancellation. I must say that once I saw that promo poster without time and place popping up, I just knew this was going to be announced canceled pretty soon! It was to me a potential publicity stunt, considering Sirvan’s recent moves to exposure! Sirvan along with Benyamin top the line of stars who have just discovered that the use of the media for publicity purposes is much more likley in the domestic context, if it gets to be about controversies rather than conventional promotion. At first rumor had that Ershaad had suddenly canceled the whole event, then (before it got out of hand?) Sirvan announced the place of this supposed event and praised the ministry for all its POP-friendly efforts and support in recent year, instead accusing the “organizer” for not having submitted a request for the permit, despite four months of preparation and practice for him and his band. Now the questions is, would someone like Sirvan remain silent about a debut concert which was supposedly planned and practiced with a big band four months in advance, ’til just a while before the concert?! No promotion?! And if there was so many months of planning and preparation then why was the time and location left out?! It all just doesn’t add up to anything but a publicity stunt! Then again, its the domestic industry so you never know!
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