Madmazel & Amir Danaei - Shorou

It is about time I made a new music post. I just couldn't hold myself back from posting this.
Recently I've been infatuated with the Iranian music scene for the same reason why the Pakistani scene fascinates me. The trouble a musician has to go through just to have their music heard is a lot more than we, as Americans, can even fathom. This, to me, is a non-music element that enhances the experience of listening. It becomes more intimate and personal.

I had spent a few hours hoping I'd discover all sorts of different indie, post-rock, rock, and various other artists. Three had come up (the other two I will post later). This particular song made me instantly fall in love with this artist's music. On top of Madmazel's absolutely beautiful voice, Amir Danaei has created a guitar hook both beautiful and so catchy I can't stop thinking about it. Neither have any albums out, but they both have various songs here and there on their soundcloud accounts.

Madmazel
[Last.fm] [SoundCloud] [Facebook]

Amir Danaei
[Last.fm] [SoundCloud] [Facebook]

Hidden By The Grapes - Blowout

As I was working yesterday I was listening to Lehnen radio on last.fm when these guys came on with One Shot For The Leprechaun. What instantly stood out to me was the jazzy parts of the song. Now, I've heard bands introduce more of a fusion jazz to their music. But this was straight-up jazz. Of course, any band that can switch styles so drastically piques my interest.

Listening to their album, Noise-Operated Jazz I'm instantly transported back to the feelings I had when I loved (and was kind of limited to) alternative rock. But what really sets them apart from the typical alt-rock is that... well... they're not typical. Alt-rock, indie, noise, even jazz can all be heard from this album. I couldn't help but instantly fall in love with this band. If this is what Alternative could sound like, I might actually get back into Alternative Rock again.

Add one more to the list of musicians I would love to see live (or at least meet) on my next Europe trip!


[Last.fm] [Bandcamp] [Facebook] [Myspace] [JustAloud] [Merchandise]
(Albums are available on Bandcamp for free or whatever price you decide to pay.)