His album Teheran Nights—a funky, electronic take on traditional Iranian Sufi music—is banned in Iran because it is deemed to stray too far from traditional music. Despite this, Pedram, in town to perform at Jahan-e-Khusrau for the fourth time in six years, is happy making his own unique music.
You’re here with the Rumi Group, but you also perform with other groups,
correct?
We have two bands, one of which is the Rumi Group. It is a traditional Iranian
music group that uses the poetry of Rumi for lyrics, along with many Iranian
instruments like the santoor; there’s no electronica and the vocals are a very
important part of the performance. Our other music is more fusion—we try to
combine traditional Iranian sounds with more electronic and contemporary music.
How has the response been to your experimentation? Isn’t Teheran Nights
banned in Iran?
It is. It is very difficult in Iran, especially nowadays, for musicians. I
recorded in studios in Teheran, but the mixing of the album had to be done in
Paris. People are curious about our music, and interested in hearing it, but
there just isn’t the space or the freedom to do so.
How did your album make it to India then?
I met Achille of Silk Road Music and Deep Emotions Music Publishing when I was
in Delhi performing at Jahan-e-Khusrau in 1999. I was playing some music at his
neighbour’s house in Nizammudin East, and he and his wife heard us, got out of
bed, and came over to find out who was playing. Seven years later, Silk Road has
released Teheran Nights! I love this country.