#anousheh

Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, not only marks the beginning of the spring season but also represents the concept of renewal and rebirth. While plenty is done to usher in the new, it’s also a time for family and to reflect on age-old traditions. Music is an essential part of any nation’s culture and history, and it goes without saying that those who celebrate Nowruz are sure to include a few tunes to set the mood. So much like last year, where we asked Hiatus, ex-Vampire Weekend member Rostam Batmanglij and TĀLĀ to share with us their favorite songs, we continued the tradition this year with a new set of artists. This year we asked three women and three musicians, Anousheh Khalili, Dominique Teymouri of MAASAI and Soraya Sebghati of Night Talks about those oh-so-nostalgic songs in Farsi, which you can check out below.

Anousheh (Richmond, Virginia, USA)

Growing up, my family always made a big deal about Naw Ruz. Not only was it the Persian New Year, but it's also a big holiday for Baha'i's, the religion I was raised in (Persian and non-Persian Baha'is celebrate Naw Ruz as their New Year). Since I am half-Persian, we inevitably ended up attending large Persian-relative-filled gatherings for Naw Ruz. My fondest memories are crowded with first, second and third cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents all running around the same house for big Naw Ruz celebrations. 

As a child, your duty was to go around and let every adult squeeze your cheeks and leave lipstick on your face, while they quietly slipped envelopes filled with cash into your hands. To me, Naw Ruz was better than Christmas! I am still in love with the traditions associated with Naw Ruz. The elaborate Haft Seen setups, the Sabzi and the Hyacinth flowers everywhere. Persians love to pile the party table(s) high with mountains of food, so that everywhere you look there's something delicious to eat. In Iranian hosting culture, the greatest sin is to not have enough food. 

During these gatherings, traditional and modern Persian music was played. Since I never quite grasped Farsi fluently as an adult, I honestly don't know all of the meanings behind the songs. I do feel very nostalgic when I hear them, and this Naw Ruz song in particular is one of my Dad and Aunt's favorites, sung by an all star Iranian cast.

Check out “Eidi” performed by Sattar, Morteza, Helen, Sheila and Shahram K.

Listen to Anousheh’s "Get to You":

Dominique Teymouri of MAASAI (Stockholm, Sweden) 

Farhad Mehrad is one of my father’s favorite artists. We listened to his songs a lot growing up. His lyrics and describing of emotions are almost like paintings - he's a real poet. 

Check out Farhad Mehrad’s “Jom'e” and “Aidy” below:

Listen to MAASAI’s track “Memories”:

Soraya Sebghati of Night Talks (Los Angeles, USA)  

I love “Jomeh” by Googoosh. Googoosh is just such an important part of Persian culture, and I know so many people are sick of her but there are so many of us in the Iranian diaspora community who love her music and everything she stands for. She has such an amazing voice, and her music really transports you to another time period. The whole “Setareh Ay Setareh” album is amazing because all the songs are so emotional, but “Jomeh” stands out to me because of the whistling and how cinematic it sounds.

Listen to Googoosh's "Jomeh"

“Get to You”, is the latest track from artist Anousheh Khalili, who first rose to prominence through her Grammy-nod alongside Iranian-American compatriots Deep Dish “Say Hello”. Her latest track continues with that electronic tradition, with the flux of  feathering synths warming her howling coos and gentle vocal delivery. Produced and co-arranged by Joshua Quarles, Anousheh wrote the song in a vivid and woken realization of the beauty behind her surroundings as she explains:

'Get to You' was written in a moment of clarity. I am guilty of not living in the moment, pushing myself from one second to the next without pausing to reflect in my own stillness. We often overlook some of the amazing things (and people) in our lives by rushing past them, unintentional self-sabotage. The song explores this realization, and simplifies it with the repetitive musing that there is 'something in the way'. My hope is that the listener can immerse themselves in the melody, and perhaps find their own moment of clarity.

(Anousheh)