Music Review by Dawoud Kringle
The New York-based Iranian ensemble Koubeh formed in 2019 and consists of three musicians from the Iranian diaspora. They dedicated themselves to celebrating and reimagining Persian music for contemporary audiences.
Interview by Dawoud Kringle (DK)
Photo by Yasi Omrani
DooBeeDooBeeDoo NY interviewed Iranian musician Kaveh Haghtalab (KH) (https://doobeedoobeedoo.info/kaveh-haghtalab-an-iranian-musicians-perspective-of-nys-music-scene/). This is part two of that interview, where we delve deeper into Kaveh’s experiences and work as a musician.
DK: You’ve been involved with several bands in New York since you moved here in 2012, one of which is SoSaLa. How did you become involved with them?
Interview by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi
Since early 2000 a talented diaspora of a number of Iranian-born musicians have been producing sumptuous sound landscapes here in New York that both incorporate tradition and go beyond it incorporating jazz, blues, alternative rock, chanson, flamenco, heavy metal and electronica.
Well known bands, such as HYPERNOVA and KIOSK moved to New York which was the right artistic location and space to make music without the pressure to get a permission from the Department of Culture in Tehran which required pre-approval of all public performances and CD releases.
One of the newer bands coming out in 2019 is Koubeh based in Brooklyn, New York.
“I went to see the musician, Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi of SoSaLa a few nights ago, and I must say, that I was totally impressed by his honesty and sincerity.
That’s perhaps one of the things that is missing in many practitioners of the music.
It was quite refreshing to experience his concert presentation.
Billy Harper
PS. It is sometimes good to get “outside of oneself” and see what someone else may be experiencing about his music.”
Date: December 20, 2017
Venue: CA Music Room (NY)
Interview by DooBeeDooBeeDoo NY
I had the opportunity to interview Iranian musician Kaveh Haghtalab. He has been contributing music, sounds and rhythms with his kamancheh and drum skills to the New York’s music scene since 2012. His views on the music scene and business in his native Tehran and in New York City bring a fresh and informative view of our business and art.
DooBeeDooBeeDoo NY (DBD): Kaveh, it’s good of you to join us. Please let’s start with your background. You’re Iranian, originally from Tehran. What did you do before coming here? What made you come to New York City in 2012, and what have you been doing since your arrival?
Kaveh Haghtalab (KH): Thanks for having me here at DooBeeDooBeeDoo.
