I really would like to start from your childhood. Even if you spent all your life in London, I’ve read in an interview that you was raised listening a mix of pop songs of that era and music from your father country, Iran.
Was that the start point in order to create your music?
I don’t know if I would call it a starting point but growing up in quite a mixed and maybe not so typical British household definitely has had some effect on my musical influences and taste. I think what we absorb as children plays a major part in our creative sub-conscious .
When you started to understand that music could be something more than an hobby?
When I put out my first EP, The Duchess I was amazed that anyone was listening to it. I think at that moment I thought maybe this could be more than just a hobby. But even if I wasn’t fortunate to have had the opportunities I’ve had I’d still be making music as a hobby.. Keeping it 100
How did your family related to that? They supported you?
My parents have always been super supportive and always encouraged me to be creative .I think that has been really important to me especially during times when I felt no one believed in me or cared what I was doing.
In Europe, few city are cosmopolite and rich of different cultures as London is. How important was this peculiar characteristic of the city in your music?
London is a very diverse city , it’s an amazing melting pot of different cultures It definitely plays a major part in the music and sub genres that started here. It’s an amazing place to be and create. We have such a large underground scene and I think coming from that world and being exposed to so much interesting music, it’s a part of me as an artist.
You travelled a lot, and this really ispired your music. Apart from music, what’s the main thing you learned from your travel?
When your travelling a lot , your tired , you feel like shit , you don’t have everyday comforts. You don’t know what your eating half the time and sometimes you put your life at risk .. It tests you and you learn a lot about who you are. You end up not caring about half the mundane things you usually waste your time on. It definitely makes you fearless and it makes you a better person.
What’s the strangest thing you seen during your travel? And the most interesting one?
Hmm seeing goats in trees in Morocco is pretty strange haha. The most interesting. Being with Katia ( who directed and filmed my video Serbia ) in some random Moroccan guys riad filming footage on the sly whilst his girlfriend spoke aggressively at Katia with a knife in her hand. During the whole event we were both super stoned and paranoid and I was planning a rooftop escape in my head as we were both convinced we were going to be abducted.
What’s your main thought when you are in your studio?
I don’t know really .. I just get on with it
Did you feel a kind of pressure in doing your music after the succesfull release of The Duchess?
For me that was just a moment in time and with each song I put out after that it’s an evolution of my sound. So I never really felt like that.
The “24 Carat Mix” give us a good picture of your influences in music. I would like to ask you: how did you keep in touch with those kinds of music?
My mixes are usually are a reflection of what’s going on in my head. It’s a collection of music new and old that I’m feeling.
I remember that the really first time I met your music, I was impressed by your logo. What’s the story (if there is anyone) behind it?
I met Kate Moross and I felt like she really understood what I was looking for. I wanted something that was contrasting , something not quite real, old , but modern .. A juxtaposition .The stamp was perfect
Of course the videos are a big part of your music, and they are quite peculiar. When (and why) did you decided for them?
Visuals are as important as the music. When I made Serbia with Katia we had a £500 budget to make a video. We had the choice to play it safe and do something easy or take a risk and blow the whole budget on plane tickets and film our adventure and experience. At that time I wanted to make a video but didn’t know what to do , when I met Katia I trusted my instincts and knew that she was who I wanted to make it with.
You made 2 EP, some mixtape and that beautiful collaboration with How To Dress Well. It’s now time for an album?
Yea ! I’m down for that
Talking about your future feature in the C2C in Turin. How much do you know about Italy?
I don’t know too much as I’ve never been however I’ve been wanting to go for so long so I’m super excited to perform at Club 2 Club. I’m also obsessed with food so I might try and extend my trip!
LEGGI TUTTI GLI ARTICOLI DEDICATI AL #C2C15
