The Rise of Persian Techno Music

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

In recent years, a new genre of music has been on the rise in the underground club scene of Iran: Persian techno.

The Origins of Persian Techno

Techno music has been on the rise in recent years, and Persian techno is a subgenre that is gaining popularity. Persian techno is a combination of traditional Persian music with modern techno beats. This fusion of two genres creates a unique sound that is perfect for dancing. Persian techno is perfect for parties and clubs because it gets people moving and grooving.

The influence of Western music

The origins of Persian techno can be traced back to the late 1990s, when a new generation of Iranian artists began to experiment with electronic music. These artists were influenced by Western music, but they also drew on traditional Iranian sounds and instruments.

Persian techno first gained international attention in the early 2000s, when a number of Iranian DJs and producers began to release tracks on European and American labels. The style has continued to evolve since then, and Persian techno is now recognized as a distinct and exciting genre.

The influence of Iranian traditional music

Persian traditional music has a long and complex history. It has been influenced by a variety of cultures, including Indian, Arab, Turkish, and Mongolian music. Persian traditional music is characterized by its use of modal scales, intricate melodic lines, and poetic lyrics.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Persian traditional music in the West. This has coincided with the rise of Iranian electronic music, which is often referred to as Persian techno. Persian techno is a fusion of traditional Persian music and Western electronic dance music. It is characterized by its use of complex rhythmic patterns, synth-driven melodies, and catchy hooks.

Persian techno has become popular in Iran and the diaspora due to its catchy rhythms and melodies, as well as its controversial lyrics. Many Iranian artists have sought to incorporate elements of Iranian traditional music into their work, including the singer Mohsen Namjoo and the band Taraneh Enterprises. However, some conservative critics have accused these artists of watering down Iranian culture.

The New Wave of Persian Techno Artists

In the past few years, there has been a rise in Persian techno music. This new wave of Persian techno artists are influenced by a variety of music, from traditional Persian music to Western techno. This new sound is fresh and exciting, and it’s quickly gaining popularity all over the world.

Sote

Sote is a Persian techno artist who is part of the new wave of Persian techno artists. His music is a mix of Persian and electronic influences, and his style is very unique. He has released two albums, “Iravani” and “Parvaz”, and has toured internationally. Sote is a very talented artist, and his music is definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of techno or electronic music.

Ash Koosha

Ash Koosha is an Iranian-born, London-based producer making music that occupies the liminal space between the digital and the organic worlds. His sound is built around deconstructed 2D and 3D visualisations of waveforms, using custom-made software to create a sonic palette that is both brutal and beautiful in equal measure. Koosha’s beats are rhythmically intricate yet viscerally impactful, making for an intoxicating and deeply immersive listening experience.

Koosha first came to prominence with the release of his debut album, GUUD, in 2012. The record was an immediate critical and popular success, winning plaudits from the likes of Pitchfork, FADER, and Resident Advisor. It also caught the attention of Yeezus producer Hudson Mohawke, who invited Koosha to perform at his Melt Festival in 2013.

Since then, Koosha has gone on to release a further three albums: I AKA I (2015), 0 1 (2017), and UNDER THE SURFACE (2019). He has also collaborated with a number of high-profile artists, including Grimes, ODESZA, and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood.

Koosha’s music has been used in a number of film and television productions, including Netflix’s Narcos and HBO’s Silicon Valley. He has also scored two video games: Loot Rascals (2017) and Ghostrunner (2020).

Arash Akbari

Arash Akbari is one of the new wave of Persian techno artists who are taking the music scene by storm.

Born in Tehran in 1985, Arash started his musical journey at a young age, playing the piano and later the drums. It was not until he was introduced to electronic music that he found his true passion.

Arash’s style can be best described as a blend of deep house and techno, with a touch of Persian influences. His music has been featured on some of the biggest clubs and festivals around the world, including Berghain in Berlin, Fabric in London and Space in Ibiza.

With a rapidly growing fan base, Arash is definitely one to watch out for in the world of electronic music.

The Future of Persian Techno

In recent years, Persian Techno music has been on the rise, gaining popularity not only in Iran, but also around the world. Persian Techno is a unique genre that combines traditional Persian instruments with modern techno beats. This combination creates a sound that is both familiar and new, and has caught the attention of many music lovers.

The international appeal of Persian techno

Techno music has its origins in the underground dance clubs of Detroit, Michigan in the 1980s. The style is typified by a heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines, with a focus on creating a repetitive, hypnotic sound. In recent years, techno has been undergoing something of a renaissance, with new subgenres and subcultures springing up all over the world.

One of the most unexpected places to find a thriving techno scene is Iran. Despite the country’s strict Islamic laws, which forbid public dancing, Iranian Techno is thriving thanks to a dedicated group of producers and DJs who are committed to pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers.

Persian Techno often draws on traditional Persian instruments and melodies, giving the music a unique flavor that has proved popular with international audiences. The style has even begun to make inroads into the mainstream, with Iranian artists appearing on leading electronic music labels such as Ninja Tune and Ministry of Sound.

It seems clear that Persian Techno is here to stay, and it will be fascinating to see where this exciting new style goes next.

The potential for Persian techno to cross over into the mainstream

It would be naïve to try and boil an entire country’s relationship with electronic music down to one single article, but it’s fair to say that in recent years, Iran has yielded some of the most interesting and innovative music scenes in the world.

Whereas many electronic scenes are associated with hedonism and escapism, in Iran, techno has taken on a much more political bent. In a country where dancing is punishable by law, and where parties are often raided by the police, techno has become a vehicle for social change, a way for young people to express themselves and push back against the repressive regime.

This unique relationship between music and politics has resulted in some truly boundary-pushing music, as Iranian producers look to Techno not just as a form of entertainment, but as a tool for political resistance. And while it still exists largely underground, there is a growing sense that Persian Techno could soon break into the mainstream.

There are several factors that make Persian Techno uniquely poised for global success. Firstly, the scene has been incubating for long enough that there is now a wealth of deeply talented producers making cutting-edge music. Secondly, thanks to the internet, these producers have been able to reach audiences far beyond Iran’s borders, building up a dedicated international following. And finally, there is a growing appetite for politically charged music in the mainstream – just look at the success of GRIME in the UK.

As such, Persian Techno stands on the brink of something big. In the next few years, we could see this exciting and vital scene explode into the mainstream consciousness – and change electronic music forever.

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