We talked to the artist about the challenges she faced, her rise to success, her inspirations and more...
How did you originally get into music?
I can assure you that it was not easy! Until about five years ago, I was singing on a hobbyist basis along with my brother, Shahab, a concert artist who performs traditional and classical Persian songs mostly for the Iranian expatriate community here in the United States. He encouraged me to start performing my own songs in Persian: and I did that for about a year before I realized that no one in my orbit here in the United States could understand what I was singing!
Thereafter, I talked with my partner Rob about the prospect of making music in the English language but was unsure as to how to start. It was then I found Damon Sharpe, who decided to take a chance on working with me. So it was that initial engagement with Damon, who is still closely involved with my career, that has led to rhe present day.
Who were your key inspirations growing up?
Having spent my childhood years mostly in Iran and Europe, but with the remainder of my formative years in the United States, I was exposed to as wide of a range of music as you can imagine. My influences ranged from classical Middle Eastern artists to Euro Disco to American Pop: and everything in between!
But during my teen years, I was inspired by artists such as Diana Ross, J-Lo, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson, Shakira & Madonna. In fact, it was one of the highlights of recent years when hip hop legend Fat Joe said that one of the reasons that he decided to collaborate with me was due to the fact that my voice gave him “Madonna vibes!”
You released your latest single, ‘Afterglow’ following World Refugee Day celebrations. Why did you hope to shed light on this event, and how does this relate to the message of your upcoming sophomore album ‘One Suitcase’?
It almost always surprises people when they learn that English is not my first language, but rather my third. As an immigrant to the United States, I had to work very hard to perfect the language and my accent: and there were always some insecurities about being an outsider in a new environment.
But while I am thoroughly Americanized -- and a proud transplanted Texan, to boot! -- I am continually aware of my native Persian heritage as well as my journey as a refugee to the West. While America is by definition a country of immigrants, we often forget that reality and become indifferent to the hardships faced by people who come to the United States seeking political, social and economic freedom. I wanted my story to serve as an example of the continuing realization of the American Dream while highlighting the difficulties faced my refugees who are only seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
How does ‘Afterglow’ represent how you have evolved as an artist?
‘Afterglow’ was the song that was composed in a single afternoon session together with Damon Sharpe and the rising pop songwriter JHart -- and we had a wonderful working environment. For a couple of years prior, i had conveyed to Damon a number of ideas in regard to new directions that I wanted to pursue in regard to both rhythmic beat and meter: and particularly so with respect to adaptations of AfroBeat, which seems a cousin to the Middle Eastern beats to which I am so accustomed. And as my sound has been termed World Pop, these were absolutely directions that I wanted to explore.
You've achieved significant success internationally with millions of views and streams. How do you plan to build on this momentum with 'AFTERGLOW' and 'ONE SUITCASE', and how has it inspired you moving forward?
I am hoping to be one of those Four Years In The Making Overnight Successes!
But more seriously, the success that I have had over the last couple of years has made me even hungrier as an artist. I get up every day and work on my craft, whether it's voice or performance training, drafting new song and/or lyrics or even listening to obscure music to find rhythms that resonate with my soul.
I have great respect for those established artists who have worked years to achieve their success -- and understand that the harder that I work, the luckier I will get!
During a time of ongoing global conflict, do you think music can be detrimental in providing solace and hope?
My own circumstance is a case in point. One of the most foundational memories from my childhood are the dance parties that my sisters and I would hold while we were living in Iran at the outside of the Fundamentalist Revolution. Our dancing was a manner of coping with the onset of a radical oppressiveness against femininity in my birth nation and one of the ways that we could escape that environment.
Music can unite and can inspire and can heal. And I am hoping that my own songs might bring some emotional joy to people who need the solace and hope that you have referenced.
As an advocate for Iranian women’s rights, are there any significant issues you hope to use your platform to highlight?
Despite what you may read in the press, the vast majority of people in Iran year for a reopening to the West and the modern age. The ‘Death To America’ political rallies that are organized by the gangster regime in power in Tehran do not reflect the overwhelming will of the people.
Something that is misunderstood in the West is that the ruling order in Iran is motivated by theological underpinnings, when instead it should be viewed as nothing other than a lust for power and privilege. When you look at the Iranian governmental involvements across the Middle East, the common denominator is a desire to expand the regime’s power.
But these strategies to expand the owner of Iran’s criminal elites have made life difficult for ordinary Iranians -- where there was already particular hardship for women who seek achievement, advancement and success.
Someday, maybe sooner than later, the people of Iran will rise up and cast aside the hypocritical thugs that took Iran back in the Middle Ages -- but until that day, the West needs to realize the truth about that authoritarian order and take all steps desirable to bring the people and women of Iran back into the light of truth and humanity.
Summarise ‘One Suitcase’ in three words…
Everything I’ve Got.
To wrap up, can you share any other upcoming exciting plans, and what are your goals for the future?
We will be releasing the next song from ‘One Suitcase’ during the next several weeks, another rhythmically complex tune called ‘Swerve’ that will be accompanied by a killer music video being now finalized by my long time video director, Eli Sokhn. Who doesn’t love Female Street Biker Gangs?
Thereafter, during October we will release ‘One Suitcase’ – a double album three years in the making. The title stems from the reality that I arrived in the United States at the age of 14 -- traveling alone on a Lufthansa flight to New York, speaking no English and carrying all of my worldly possessions in a single handcarried suitcase. I co-wrote all of the songs on the album over the past couple of years and are hoping that people like it!
Finally, we are exploring some touring opportunities and hope to be able to announce something within the next couple of months.
And in the meantime, I'm going to get back to work on whatever is going to come next!
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