On a Moonlit Night in Iran with Katayoun

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Katayoun is an Amsterdam-based selector, sound archivist, and curator who focuses on Iran's sonic diversity and history. Her signature shows and ongoing research project, "Female Vocalists from Iran and Beyond" (2018–present), weave diverse genres from different periods and geographies, offering distinctively soulful experiences of musical dreaming, storytelling, and deep listening.

She hosts a monthly residency at Kiosk Radio in Brussels, where her show "Sonic Imaginaries" continues to explore Iran's sonic heritage by drawing connections to other musical traditions, including Latin music, jazz fusion, and funk. Her warm and dreamlike sound has taken her to numerous stages, from supporting Sevdaliza to performing at festivals, museums, and art spaces and DJing at listening events and in nightlife.

Katayoun also organizes Disco Diaspora (2018–present), a multidisciplinary event series that transports dance floors across different locations, eras, and genres. It invites audiences to party while playfully exploring the socio-political dimensions of diasporic cultural production.

This selection envisions a soundtrack for an imagined Iranian Spaghetti Western, blending epic cinematic sounds that evoke vivid imagery of the Wild West. It features surf rock-inspired guitar tones fused with jazz and Iranian folk music. Inspiration is taken from Ennio Morricone’s iconic scores and the melodies and harmonies of traditional Mexican music, as interpreted by master composers like Fariborz Lachini and trumpeter Manouchehr Biglari, amongst others.
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* All materials presented on this channel are copyrighted by their respective copyright owners and are subject to use for informational purposes only.
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[YourMajesty]

Dude I have ADHD and have really low executive function, but have been pretty much paralyzed bc of the past 11 months and yet I got so much done while listening to this tracklist. Its not even energizing, but it's so calming and mind-clearing that I could FOCUS for once. It felt like a soothing mom (or dad) singing a lullabye. Idk how this came on my feed — well, maybe bc I watched this Iranian composer educating on what Eastern music should sound like and idk if this tracklist honors that or what lol. But I do know that I liked what I heard! Absolutely beautiful. From PaIestine to lran, with LOVE!

[katayounarian]

And here is the tracklist with translations. Thanks for listening ♥

*Kourosh Yaghmaiee – Khaar (Desert/tumbleweed or thistle)

*Pari Zanganeh – To Beyo (You, come here) Shirazi folk song

*Simin Ghanem – Gholak Cheshat (your eye glimmer)

*Kambiz – Gozare Omr (Way of Life)

*Fariborz Lachini & Manouchehr Biglari – Ghesseye Gham (Stories of Grief) B-side Simin
Ghanem

*Mahmoud Vasfi – Khoda Chera Ashegh Shodam Man? (God, why did I fall in Love?)

*The Golden Ring – Marde Ghamghin (Sad Man)

*Googoosh – Ageh Bemooni, Ageh Namooni (If you stay/If you go)

*Amir Rasaie – Raftam Man az Yad (I am forgotten from memory)

*Ramesh – Bi To Man Kasi Nadaram (Without you, I don't have anyone)

[marolibez]

This one is by far my favorite installment of MAJ and I am coming back to it whenever I feel weary of the music I normally listen to. It is always so refreshing!

There is something special about Iranian (and Turkish) music that I can barely fanthom. It sounds old and classy but at the same time also modern and casual. You can feel it is as deeply rooted in time and tradition as it is open to different influences, in a chronological and a geographic sense. We Brazilians have still much to learn and to create before getting into this league!

Tashakor, teşekkürler 🙏

[globalfoodaction]

Koroush Yaghmaei's album "Back From the Brink: Pre-Revolution Psychedelic Rock From Iran: 1973-1979" is one of the greatest rock albums of all time.

[otgunz]

Noble children of Persia, with love, respect and joy from Canakkale, Turkiye. May your deep rythms never missed in our ears.

My love, my arms strech Anatolia long, my iris shines Iran bright. My love, tell the folk, saz being played to honor the memories of the setar.

[sophielee]

My heart waits for the day the iranian people will be free. I wanna see this in my lifetime.
Iran is. A great nation. I'll come party with you the day it happens. Love from France and from Israel. ❤

[maamounelsharkawy]

This is beautiful. I am Arab and I love persian culture which is clearly pronounced in the beautiful tunes. Good job DJ

[erical.]

WOMEN LIFE FREEDOM ! Freedom of music, freedom of love, freedom of moving and do, dance, diffuse music as a woman, with no male to tell her what she needs to do or wear or think or sing !! this video is not only a deep message of music, it is also a message of strengh and a political message !! thanks so much KATAYOUN !!!

[Andrepaulistano_]

Follows below Katayoun's setlist with timestamps:

1) 0:08 "Khaar" (Kourosh Yaghmaei);

2) 6:53 "To Beyo" (Pari Zangeneh);

3) 9:44 "Golake Chestat" (Simin Ghanen);

4) 14:39 "گذر عمر (it means 'Way To Life') (Kambiz);

5) 18:52 "(by what I've researhed, this song is named 'همان نفس', meaning 'the same breath')" (Simin Ghanen);

6) 22:32 "خدا چرا عاشق شدم؟ (it means 'God, why did I fall in love?')" (Mahmoud Vasfi);

7) 26:13 "Sad Man" (The Golden Ring);

8) 31:05 "Ageh Bemooni" (Googoosh);

9) 36:46 "(it can be 'رفتم من ازیاد', meaning 'I went to sleep', or 'وسوسه', meaning 'temptation')" (Rasai);

10) 39:41 "Bee Tou Man Kasi Nadaram" (Ramesh).

[odmineypiju]

After many listens, I can confidently say that this set will stay in my all time favourites. Such incredible representation of Iranian culture, bravo. Listening in Ukraine

[brummii]

Finally! Been waiting for iranian themed episodes. 💕

[kalinaw.]

Thank you Katayoun for fueling my bachelor's thesis 🔥🔥🔥

[Polyasos]

crying from the beauty and delight <3

[odmineypiju]

This is so good! The people of Iran, you are in my thoughts a lot. Cheers from Ukraine ❤

[desoxx]

Listening from South Africa ❤ I don't understand even a single word from this music but my soul so blessed joyful after listening to this beautiful set. May the love that connects us all triumph over the separation and wars. Peace and love to all! ❤

[michel-jeantailleur]

A moonlit night in Iran on a rainy afternoon in England... 10 fine pieces of music.

[clauchinaski]

Good vibes to our brothers from Iran and Türkiye from Mexico City, nice music

[rrrrobyyyy]

it's 23:30 / 11:30 PM in San Francisco, the moon is out, the temperature is getting cooler, and this is lovely, lovely, lovely.

[yousefismaiel]

It's a very relaxing mix, thanks from Syria

[debrac]

yalda Mubarak from LA Kaytoun. I've been sending this to my Iranian friends.

it's perfect for the winter soltice