Balancing the worlds of tradition and adaptation, Maryam Rahmani combines her Iranian heritage with contemporary musical collaboration.
Originally from Iran and currently based in Adelaide, Maryam Rahmani stays true to her roots, infusing imprints of her homeland across her musical discography. Maryam plays the Santur, a traditional Iranian string instrument that she was gifted by her Uncle in Iran. She combines this with a delicate voice, intentionally incorporating Iranian vocal modalities.
However above all, she takes great inspiration from traditional poetry from 13th and 14th Iranian poets.“I would say poems and music, how they live together in traditional Iranian classical music for me is the main attraction…poems for me are first and then music comes after”.
Rahmani’s debut album Kamand perfectly showcases her musical heritage, combined with her integration into so-called Australian culture through a strong emphasis on collaboration. Artists including Rosalie Cocchiaro, David Moran, Sebastian Collen and Gustavo Quintino all assist Maryam in creating this fusion of traditional Iranian music and contemporary jazz.
Throughout the album, Maryam and her collaborators communicate in different languages, creating a musical painting perfectly displaying the two sides of Maryam’s life. Iranian melodies on the Santur and vocals referencing Iranian poetry gently sit atop spacious piano and strings played by her collaborators, creating a bridge between two worlds.
“The people I collaborated with, that's what makes Kamand. Our conversation, how we try to find a language that isn’t the same language…its a journey.”
Words by Jonathan Chalouhi