#Abjeez

[persiansecrets]

Abjee is Persian slang for sister and that’s just what they are “The Abjeez”, the sisters Melody & Safoura Safavi. Although they started writing songs in the late 90s they didn’t form their band until 2005. The intention of their work has always been to be an inspiring alternative force in the Persian pop music/culture.

When the sisters started their band for more than 10 years ago, Iran had been “closed” to western culture for almost 30 years and the Persian pop music had become somehow stagnant. Melody & Safoura who were raised in Sweden and had got the chance to nourish their creativity in freedom wanted to make a change in this matter and they did!

Abjeez recorded the first album “Hame” (Everyone) and released it in 2006. The idea with the album was to try to compose songs in different genres, with Persian lyrics, to inspire Iranian youth and artists to try out different music styles when composing new music. The styles that immediately got best response were their reggae and SKA songs. Abjeez became the first band who had written Persian reggae and SKA music!

Abjeez also got internationally recognised for their creative, homemade music videos and were invited to perform at Rotterdam film festival and nominated in the short film category at Tribeca Film Festival 2007.

The lyrics written by Melody Safavi are often humorous and social critical and mostly in Farsi. But the Abjeez sisters love to sing and perform in different languages. They also have songs in Spanish,Swedish and English!

The music composed by Safoura Safavi is a mixture of different musical styles and intents to adorn the lyrics in a fun and creative way so the performance can be enjoyable whether you do or do not understand the language they are performed in.

After a few successful years of touring in Europe, Canada & U.S.A. the sisters decided to re-shape the band in order to be able to explore new artistic ventures. Safoura perused her studies in Performance art and Sound-design at Stockholm University of the Arts and the Abjeez are now back again with their newly released third album “Paa Sho” (Stand Up) that was partly recorded in Costa Rica and Stockholm 2016. Currently the sisters based in Stockholm and New York have just completed their 7 cities North American Tour and are preparing for upcoming productions and events in 2018.

Follow ABJEEZ on Instagram @abjeez or find out more on ABJEEZ official website.

Visit http://persiansecrets.com/ for more.

[lenbryant]

Abjeez is one of my favorite groups lately. They are Iranian sisters making music from Sweden. I don’t understand a word of their lyrics but their sound makes me happy.

[liliana-zavala-percussion]

Jätte glad och stolt över att kunna vara med på en av de fina affischer på @stalletvarldensmusik !! ( alltså den officiella bild kommer snart🤗) Tackar ödmjuk!! @peterbothen @stalletvarldensmusik . Muy feliz y orgullosa de estar en uno de los foto afiches de el venue de folclore y musica de el mundo en Estocolmo llamado Stallet! Para mi es como estar poniendo las manitos en el cemento en Hollywood 😃🤩 ( la foto oficial la publicaran pronto, esta es la que se publico esta semana como ” adivinen quien estara en el afiche?”) #lilipercu #lilizavalatrio #cabildoalbum #drumwomen #theforbiddenorchestra #xenomania #abjeez #feverraytour2018 #feverray #fridakhalomagazine #amadavideo (en Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsgOPd6gUvW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fzy6apctwwvd

[golbargbashi]

. @Abjeez, the iconic Iranian-Swedish women-led music band performing tonight 1/3 #nyc at @lprnyc — #womenmade #Abjeez and #ramyessam #ramyessamofficial #live in New York on January 3rd 2019 @lprnyc #newyork #reggae #ska #skamusic #rockmusic #liveinconcert #lepoissonrouge #abjeezsisters #آبجى_ها #اجراى_زنده در #نيويورك https://www.instagram.com/p/BsLK7XIgOCM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11wwmc7jxp130

[newsnomadblog]

Watch: Video urges men to join protest against Iran’s ban on women in stadiums

Watch: Video urges men to join protest against Iran’s ban on women in stadiums

24 April 2018 | Center for Human Rights in Iran

April 24, 2018—The world pop band Abjeez, led by Iranian-born sisters, has released a new music videocalling on men to support the growing movement to end Iran’s ban on women in sports stadiums.

Sponsored by the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), Abjeez’s “Stadium” was released today on the heels of a multi-language campaign by a coalition of…

[hodavand]

Together, all 3 of us after 6 years ❤️💛❤️ #Abjeez #Sisters #QualityTime #Toronto 🇨🇦 (at Toronto, Ontario)

[greedforher]

Music Video: Iranian Sisters Urge Men to Join Protest Against Iran’s Ban on Women in Stadiums

“The question is, are our men ready?”  #Watch4Women #FIFA #Iran #Abjeez

Iran (CHRI) – The world pop band Abjeez, led by Iranian-born sisters, has released a new music video calling on men to support the growing movement to end Iran’s ban on women in sports stadiums.

Sponsored by the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), Abjeez’s “Stadium” was released today on the heels of a multi-language campaign by a coalition of human rights groups urging the Fédération…

[cartoonistiranus]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kaveh Adel (@knadel)

Finished my #cartoon “Masks of the Market” while listening to #abjeez song #demokrasi #democracy contemplating where does happiness lie? #stockmarket #bear vs. #bull #art by #kavehadelcartoon

[fparvaneh]

Our Interview with Abjeez ((@abjeez)) . Kayhan Life ((@kayhanlife)): It has been suggested that your music is corrupted by too much politics, and that you use feminism as a tool to gain fame. How do you respond to these criticisms? . Safoura Safavi ((@safoura_abjeeloo_safavi)): There is no such thing as pure and incorruptible art. Art is a form of human expression. We use various artistic means to express ourselves, and take a serious look at our society. Politics has always played a major role in Iranian society. We cannot detach ourselves from these concerns. Ultimately, we are artists and not politicians. Also, we’ve never adopted any political stance or social cause as a way to achieve fame. . Melody Safavi ((@abjeezooloo)): I am a feminist, but didn’t consider myself one until recently. After the release of our first album, we were bombarded with questions about our feminist views. They boxed us in as a feminist group whose music was only about women’s issues. That was never our intention. We are two women expressing our views on issues we face every day. . To Read More Visit: KayhanLife.com (link in our main profile page). . . #abjeez #melodysafavi #safourasafavi #swedishiranian #iranianamercian #reggae #persian #rockmusic #liveconcert #empoweringwomen #feminist #femaleband #popmusic #iranianmusicians #kayhanlife (at London, United Kingdom)

[fa1oodeh]

tagged by @hrtp to put my playlist on shuffle & list the first 10 songs that came on. tysm!!

1. deep river (utada hikaru)

2. demokrasi (democracy) (abjeez)

3. alones (aqua timez)

4. call me when you get this (corrine bailey rae)

5.  sweet life (frank ocean)

6. cough syrup (young the giant)

7. lost! (coldplay)

8. life in technicolor (coldplay)

9. sar-e man mast-e jamalat (akharin ghazal-e rumi [the last sonnet of rumi])

10. rewrite (asian kung-fu generation)

idk who to tag.. I’ll tag @cyuuya @yy2k @jacuzzzzzzisplot @megaswordgay 

if any of u wanna do this!

[zaktoomusic-blog]

Abjeez - Rakht |New Post on ZAKTOO

New Post has been published on https://zaktoo.com/song/abjeez-rakht/

Abjeez - Rakht

Listen to this persian song called Rakht. Singer of this music is well known artist the Abjeez. This tune genre is reggae. Time of this song is 3:44. Year of publication 2017. Have latest & new collection of Abjeez songs with zaktoo. Listen to music by clicking on play button

[mrmoltafet-blog]

hichkas ft abjeez band - nobaresho avordi (live)

[houseofdam]

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A post shared by ॐ R O B E R T࿊H A L L E Y Ⓥ (@vitalityiam)

Here a quick SNEAK PEAK from rehearsal last night of what's about to go down in 90mins at @Pridetoronto SHIVA @djshiva featuring HOUSE of DAM The Night of FRI JUNE 23rd 1230a till 2am WELLESLEY STAGE (parking lot south of TTC WELLESLEY station) 15 Wellesley St E, Toronto, ON M4Y, Canada Pride proudly presents the return of Yalla Barra, celebrating Middle Eastern culture with an amazing lineup. Closing the Friday Set. . . .Straight from LA, Shiva joins Pride this year with her unique blend of traditional and futuristic sounds. With special pop-up contemporary dance performances throughout Shiva's Set, featuringHouse of DAM Conceived by House Mother/Father, Robert Halley. Other guest artists include Dario Charles and Marvin Vergara. Come Celebrate Your PRIDE in a Funky, Fun, Bizzarre, Loving way to take the night away! FREE & AN ACCESSIBLE EVENT Order of the evening: 6pm - DJ IZ w/ Arabesque 730pm - DJ Haram 945pm - Abjeez 1130pm - Wake Island 1230am - Shiva with House of DAM More info: Shiva: www.iamdjshiva.com House of DAM: https://houseofdam.tumblr.com/who #prideto #pride #Toronto #dj #djshiva #love #fun #celebration #instagay #instaqueer #gayman #gayvegan #lgbtq #yallabarra #instacool #instalike #freedom #abrahamsters #dancersofinstagram #Vogue #genderbender (at Canada's National Ballet School)

[liliana-zavala-percussion]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Liliana Zavala (@lilipercu)

Do not miss it! Abjeez Tonight in Stallet 20 hs film, 21 party in Stallet, Stockholm !!! @abjeez #abjeez #abjeezsisters #lilipercu #basslisaofficial #safourasafavi #melodysafavi #johanmoberg @stalletvarldensmusik https://www.instagram.com/p/BprYRUgAESx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l3e4pb60kpn1

[golbargbashi]

The release of her first solo album “MELODE 360”, a project that the award-winning Iranian-Swedish musician Melody Safavi has been working on together with the talented Swedish musician Robin Cochrane. The album is a tribute to Brooklyn, NYC and Safavi’s predominantly Afro-Caribbean neighborhood there. . . “MELODE 360” consists of eight tracks in the genres of Funk/Reggae/Afro beat dance hall. The lyrics are all in Persian, reflecting the life and endeavors of a woman of Iranian decent living in Brooklyn, one of New York City’s most vibrant, musically diverse and multicultural boroughs. — As of June 14, 2020, you can buy/access the album at: www.melodysafavi.com —
She writes: “Your support means the world to me. It helps me to stay creative and make more music for your beautiful souls! . .
Love & Light MELODE” — Song and Lyrics: Melody Safavi Guitars: Kaj Szyskiewicz, Isak Linck, Lennart Söderlund Electric Bass: SugarRay Napunyi, Owe Dahlquist, Joel Brännlund All other instruments, programming and mixing: Robin Cochrane Cover photo: Mehrdad Karamouz Logo and artwork: Zartosht soltani — دوستان، آلبوم شخصی من با نام (۳۶۰) در iTunes و Spotify قابل تهیه و شنیدنه. حمایت شما برای من بی نهایت با ارزشه چون به من بعنوان یک هنرمند مستقل کمک میکنه تا بتونم همچنان به خلاقیت و تولید کار ادامه بدم. با مهر- ملودی صفوی (ملود) — #melode360 #robincochrane @robbierulah @melode360 @kajszy @rasbasslover @isakno1 @joelbrannlund @lennartsoderlund @mehrdadkaramouz @zartoshtsoltani @abjeez — #melode360 #MELODE #robbierulah #persian #farsi #reggae #funk #afrobeats #brooklyn #🌻 (at Brooklyn, New York City) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBd4KmmgN3_/?igshid=1bwa73krc2hzv

[worldrockcultures-blog]

Iranian Rock Music

Iran has one of the most notable and most ancient histories of music globally. Records of music in Iran go back thousands of years to the Pre-Iranian civilisation of Elam. Music was offend built upon and supported by the hierarchy and typically, until the 20th century, classical music was heard at the royal courts of the monarchy. From 1925-1979 traditional Iranian music was funded by the Pahlavi dynasty until the Iranian revolution in which the Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown in the Iranian revolution. 

After the revolution many musicians struggled with the new laws and rules and as a result a countless number of musicians now live and work in exile in foreign countries. Rock music in Iran started to develop around the 60s with its roots in European and American rock music. The Shiraz Arts Festival, which ran from 67-77, helped the music scene grow in Iran as introduced an encounter between the East and the West.

Throughout this time various rock musicians and artists emerged and it became popular among the younger generation. However, after the revolution, the rock culture in Iran slowed with new talent sparse. It was not until the end of the 80s-90s when President Mohammad Khatami sought for a more lenient approach of domestic policy that rock music began its resurgence. To this day Iranian rock music has still not fully flourished as there are still conservative views on the genre of rock music. There have been and hopefully always will be an underground culture of music that will continue to grow.

Iran’s Underground Music Scene 

(Members of Iranian band "Accolade," practice as their friends listen to the performance) source

Iran's rock stars and their underground scene

Jai Brodie’s article (Link) for the guardian looks at the underground music scene in Iran by meeting with various bands and investigating if the western view on Iran is accurate and justified. She meets with aspiring indie band, Langtunes, to discuss the restrictions and cultural limitations on their music.

One of the main issues regarding the bands success is the difficulty of exposure, for which the only way is through Facebook that they have to access through a proxy server as it has been blocked by the government. This article makes the discovery of how it is still extremely difficult for non-traditional musicians to succeed in their own country with many tempted at the idea of leaving to pursue their music career abroad.

Langtunes – Transparent Thoughts

A very apt name for their first release. In a country that seemingly is able to control many aspects of life it appears that their music is a way to have ‘transparent thoughts. 

Musical Examples

Farhad Mehrad

Farhad Mehrad was award winning musician who had a successful career before and after the revolution. He was a founding member of the Black Cats band. During the revolution he continued to write music containing revolutionary messages. After the revolution his song “Vahdat" (Unity) was broadcast on Iranian television as a message of revolution and freedom.

Abjeez

Abjeez are a Persian ska-rock band that was formed in 2005 by sisters Safavi and Safoura Safav. Many critics have praised Abjeez and described them as the first-led Persian-speaking band of their style. Their music contains subjects of Iranian culture, war on terror and American foreign policy.

Kourosh Yaghmaei

Kourosh Yaghmaei is an Iranian music and pioneer of early rock music in Iran. In the early 60s he join The Raptures, and would play covers of western bands such as The Beatles and The Kinks. His songs are well known outside of Iran. His song Gol Yakh (Winter Sweet) is one of his most well-known to date.

More Listening (YouTube Playlist) 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiWuQV5CWwwIzE-UN903-uMh6Pd7Dbnun 

Further Reading 

http://www.middleeasteye.net/in-depth/features/three-decade-old-unofficial-music-scene-iran-2066965376

https://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/pearl060200.htm