Abjeez

[RedWine]

abjee (aab.gee)
Persian slang for sister ... and that’s just what they are - Safoura and Melody Safavi.

Backed by a colorful crew of musicians, the two abjee’s present their own original brand of Persian world pop!

Their lyrics, often humorous and sometimes rebellious, are written in Farsi, but the expressive groove of the music and the abjees’ dramatic delivery break down all language barriers to create a new synthesis of cultures.

Here are the Abjeez

Safoura (abjeeloo) Safavi: Song, guitar and composer
Safoura loved performing on stage from early age. She played theatrics, danced,
sang and annoyed every cousin in the family. All that changed drastically when she
received a karaoke machine from her brother Sufi on her 10th birthday!!!
Soon she began playing the guitar and composing songs. Safoura has
studied music at Hvitfeldtska School of music in Gothenburg (Sweden),
and continued her studies at Fundacion Christina Heeren del arte
flamenco in Seville, Espania (try saying that 5 times), where
she specialized in flamenco guitar and vocals.

Melody (abjeezooloo) Safavi: Song, Lyrics
Melody has been moving around like a gypsy since the age of 20. Wandering around different countries, jumping from one branch to another with hopes of finding what she wants to do when all grown up. Despite bouncing around like a rubber ball, writing
lyrics and painting are her biggest passions. Melody has studied Social
studies at Middsweden University in Sweden and
currently works in the field of media.



Johan (Javan) Moberg: Guitar
Johan began playing violin at the age of 8, changed to drums by 9,
but soon realized young ladies dig guitarists more. Johan has
studied Flamenco Guitar at Fundacion Cristina Heeren
del arte flamenco in Seville and Taller de Musics
of Barcelona, Spain.
Erland (Ardalan) Hoffgard: Bass
Erland studied to become a car engineer when he accidentally
crashed his car into a guitar during his teens. After playing a few chords, he
realized that music wasn’t just his destiny, but also his density!
Erland has studied music at Pitea University of
music (Sweden)


Robin (Ramin) Cochrane: Drums
Robin began his exciting carrer painting banjos then moved on to painting
trombones and various horn instruments. Soon all that excitment got
out of control and he bagan playing the piano at the age of 6
Finally percussion sparked his interest by age 8. He has
devoted his life to music since then. Robin has
studied music at Palmcrantz in Ostersund
in Sweden. He eats, drinks and breaths music. He has actually written songs in his sleep.

Paulo (Pahlevan) Murga: Percussion
He started his carer playing folk music from the Andes, Chile at age 12,
but soon his destiny took him further and further up North to the
“Swedish Andes”. Paulo is professionalized in Cuban percussion
and studio techniques and creates the most elegant
sounds out of the world’s simplest instruments. Paulo has studied
music at Haparanda Folkhogskola (Sweden), and
ISA (Instituto Superior de Artes) in Cuba. He teaches music at
Pitea Unversity of Music (Sweden).


Sufi (el diablito) Safavi: Sound engineer
Sufi is the exhibitionist who lives on the edge of all extremes. He always wants to put Loud, heavy distortions on every note. Sufi plays the guitar, tweaks on his Indian sitar, takes care of all the hard work behind the scene
and has dog ears for sound. He has studied sound engineering
at Pitea University of Muic (Sweden) and is currently
working as social worker assisting refuges in
Sweden. Some day he’s gonna change the world.

http://www.abjeez.com/images/band.jpg

[RedWine]

June 22., 2006 - Washington, DC
Abjeez are performing at Stardust in Club five
1214 B 18th Street NW - Washington, DC 20036

June 17., 2006 Busboys and Poets, Washington DC
Busboys and Poets: 11 pm- Midnight
2021 14th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009

July 27., 2006 Krokstrand Music Festival, Sweden

August 5., 2006 Urkult Music Festival, Sweden

http://www.abjeez.com/images/events.jpg

[RedWine]

new music video

http://abjeez.com/video/football/video.html

[RedWine]

Perhaps "world pop" best describes Abjeez music. The Abjeez unique
sound is influenced by wide mixture of world compositions mastered to
its' own description of original melody and songs. Abjeez music is
suited for everyone regardless of age, sex or cultural backgrounds. The
lashing passion behind Abjeez force is to award love, carry hope and
perhaps become a diverse musical alternative for future generations in Iran. The name Abjeez comes from the word Abjee, which is slang for “sister” in Iranian language Farsi. The Abjeez are sisters Safoura and Melody Safavi, backed by a colorful group of musicians from Sweden.

The Abjeez sisters, Safoura and Melody were born in Iran amongst a family of diverse musicians. Both sisters moved to Sweden along with their family in 1987. Looking up to their father’s passion for music combined with older brother Sufi’s love for guitar encouraged the sisters to start writing, and composing original music.

Having experienced living life in countries such as India, Sweden, Norway, England, Spain and United States has also had a great impact and influence on Abjeez music.

Safoura, the younger abjee, not only composes all their songs, but she has also been playing guitar and composing music since age 12. By 17 Safoura began studying music at Hvitfeldska Schol of music in Gothenburg/Sweden, and furthered her studies in the field of Flamenco guitar and song at the prestigious Fundacion Christina Heeren del arte flamenco, located in Seville/Spain.

After returning from Spain, Safoura decided to pursue a music project with her elder sister, which had already started 10 years before.

Safoura carefully handpicked the other four band members, describing them as a “musical goldmine.” Erland Hofgaard a skilled bassist and Paulo Murga a professional Chilean percussionist were introduced to Safoura several years back, while she was visiting Pitea University of Music during her brother’s studies for sound engineering. Both Erland and Paulo gave Safoura a great sense of musical approval by assuring her guaranteed collaboration with the Abjeez.

Flamenco guitarist Johan Moberg and drummer Robin Cochrane, were also discovered by Safoura years later in their home town of Ostersund/ Sweden.

Sufi, Safoura, Robin and Johan, who currently live in Ostersund have made the small town in to their own musical Mekka for creation and recording. Even though half of the Abjeez live far from each other, they often meet in Ostersund to catch up with practice and hit the road for performances from Europe to USA.

For more info :

http://cdbaby.com/cd/abjeez/from/bamahang

[RedWine]

In their latest video, the Iranian-Swedish music band have brilliantly put together a hilarious video and catchy dance tune that promises to secure a place in Persian pop culture history.
The video entitled 'Eddeaa' has the band members dressed in old Qajar-era attire, singing the song in what appears to be, at first, a Qajar setting in black and white film. Melody and Safoura are dressed in old Persian outfits, with white scarves and uni-brows. The men mostly with beards and Qajar hats claim their rightful place in the video (with Eddeaa).
While the band sings with an accented Persian sound, which is quick and fun, the addition of color to the video and camera angles add a Eurythmics-inspired, contemporary feel.
Kitchy and campy elements such as a red pomegranate, the band's equipment, and a bouncy tune toggles us back and forth through history, making this video and song simply genius.

think I could watch it with my dad and also show it to my non-Iranian friends, which is the exact reason Abjeez deserves a giant two thumbs up!

[abadani69]

New Video by Abjeez: Demokracy

http://abjeez.com/video/demokracy/demokracy.html

[RedWine]

Abjeez: Barab Barab
Another shizzy-boom-diggy-dee-bop-bop song

Video by Samanism. Bring it on! www.abjeez.com

[RedWine]

Washington, DC - From the time of Persian Sarmatian female warriors to the enviable space-trip taken by Iranian-American Anousheh Ansari in 2006 - as the world’s first female non-astronaut-traveler/space-tourist - Iranian women seem capable of conquering it all. We believe the Abjeez - slang for “sisters” in Farsi - are made of the same thriving genetic ingredients as they carry on the Persian tradition of perseverance, equality, artistic expression, and compassion through their pioneering yet organic fusion of Pop-Rock-Reggae-Persian-Flamenco acoustics. In our opinion, sisters Melody - aptly named, as her name means “song” (maybe their mom knew something?) - and Safoura (who shares her name with Moses’s wife) are the best Iranian-musical-sister-combo since Hayedeh and Mahasti.

However, their musical styles couldn’t be any more different. The Abjeez’s music is innovative, timely, and deliciously raw. (Just listen to their tracks Democracy and Edeaa.) Safoura’s training at the Fundacion Cristina Heeren de Arte Flamenco in Seville, Spain with a concentration on Flamenco-Guitar shines through, while Melody’s natural musical instinct is as insightful and melodically in tune, as her name suggests. They express deep emotion using their instruments – as well as their gift for vocal arrangements which are recognizably unique to their perfect creations. A smart mix of their articulate knowledge of formal and slang Persian linguistics is apparent in their witty lyrical choices: “toe bee eh-ssaasi, taa haalaa nakardi ye’ geryeye assaassi”, a verse from their song ‘Geryeye Mard’ that has already become forever-ingrained in our brain.

Like most of our fellow Iranian girls and boys we’ve been in love with the Abjeez from the first time we heard their name, but we admit that once we heard their musical masterpieces – it was over for us. We’ve been officially “obsessed” ever since. We hope you enjoy reading this interview as much as we enjoyed connecting with and getting to know the Abjeez. Melody and Safoura, nicknamed Abjeezooloo and Abjeeloo respectively, not only inspire us to be better through their clever Persian-Cante-Jondo-esque sounds, but also through their refreshingly unassuming charm and lovely personalities. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: “Rock-on Persian-Princesses”.

***

For more on the Abjeez, please visit: www.abjeez.com - Buy your copy - Listen to samples

*SS = Safoura
**MS = Melody

SK: Where were you born?

SS: In a hospital in Teheran, Iran.
MS: Tehran/Shemiran.

Where did you grow up?

In many places. In India, in the north of Sweden, in the South of Sweden and in Spain. (I'm still growing though.) Mainly Iran & Skandinavia.

When was your last visit to Iran?

Summer 2003. Autumn of 2003.

Describe High School in one sentence.

3 years of determination, observation and lots of pimples. Probably one of the best periods of my life.

When did Abjeez form?

In April 2005. The foundation of the band was built during the 90s but Abjeez as a band was created sometime in 2005.

Why the name Abjeez?

Because that's who we are, each others and YOUR sisters. ;) Because we are sisters.

Who is your biggest musical influence?

I'm not only influenced by one person. This changes all the time. But my brother was my first musical influence/inspiration and then Paco de Lucia who introduced the flamenco and Latin music world to me. My brother and sister.

What is your favorite Abjeez song?

They are all my children and I love them all the same, but if I have to choose I will say Eddeaa. Depends on my mood, but for the moment “Immigrant”, unfortunately you haven’t heard it yet ;O)

What is your favorite song of all time?

Muy difícil to pick only one. But I will choose "Another day in paradise" - Phil Collins. Very difficult question, but if I HAVE to choose, then it's "Coming back to life" by Pink Floyd (Division Bell 1994)

Where did you get your inspiration for your first album?

From everywhere I've lived and with all the musicians I've played and all the beautiful people I have had the honor to meet and get to know. From people around us and the love and support of my family.

How old were you when you picked up your first instrument?

I don't really know maybe 7? The flute. I started learning piano at the age of 12 and continued for 3 year but soon gave it up to painting.

Do you have any classical musical training?

I had classical guitar lessons in Music collage but I forced my teacher to teach me Flamenco, which he didn't know how to play himself. So we learned it together. Great teacher. No.

When did you write your first song?

When I was 12 years old. At the age of 20

Where was the first place you performed?

In middle-school. I don’t really remember but, I think it was in Sweden.

Where's the last place you performed?

In "The old courthouse", Östersund, Sweden, [May 2008]. In Haparanda/ Sweden.

What instruments do you play?

I sing, play the guitar and some percussion.

Name 3 songs currently on repeat-play on your iPod.

I don't have an iPod. But I can't stop listening to this CD: "Knotty Bits" Chris Bottomley. He is GREAT. I never put any song on repeat, unless it is an Abjeez song that has to be memorized.

What time of day/night do you find yourself most creative?

Hmm. I think I would say in the afternoon and evening. I like the day. Sunshine inspires me. At night.

What is your favorite to city to perform in?

It actually doesn't matter in which city we are. Every performance is unique in its own way. The contact with the audience and between us musicians on the stage is what makes a gig special. And that changes from time to time. But we had a great time in Toronto last month so I wouldn't mind going back there again soon! ;) Every city has [its] own charm and beauty and it’s really not so much about the city but rather the type of the [venue] and the [audience] that makes a show memorable.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Where I have my loved ones and I feel I have something meaningful to do. Where ever I can be around my love ones.

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be?

A very rich (financially) and powerful person who does not deserve to be it. I am quite comfortable with the person I have learned to deal with all my life. So I’ll stick to being myself. Thank you!

Describe the Abjeez's sound in your own words.

Rhythmical "earthy" pop with a touch of reggae! A bowl of mixed nuts.

Who do you think your listeners are?

Today, curious, open minded and "thirsty" people. In 10 years, a lot more people. People who are very much into music.

What is your favorite instrument?

Guitar. Daff.

How has life, as an Iranian abroad, made you different from your peers?

Life as an immigrant has [taught] me not to be too attached to anything. It has forced me to search for strength in myself. It has made me become more realistic and emotional towards other people.

If you weren’t musicians and you won the lottery, how would you spend it?

In a veeeery good way. Promise! ;) Very quietly ;O)

What do you do when you’re not busy making beautiful music?

I spend time with friends and interesting people. I play with dogs and I go out in nature. Make fun of myself in various music videos.

What's your favorite Iranian dish?

"Khoreshte karafs" or "Ghorme sabzi". (Without meat!) Anything with bademjoon. But I have also fallen for shirin polo [lately].

What would you cook for your friends, if they were to come over to your place?

I would make a dish with salmon, ginger, soy and orange. Abjeezooloo's favorite, cause she would probably be one of those friends coming over. Something delicious, perhaps with bademjoon!

What 3 words would your best friend use to describe you?

I would say "happy", "optimistic" and "spiritual". I will ask. (I am calling him now on the phone..) "Inspiring, a hard worker and loving." Wow, thanks Javi! :) I really don’t know. Let me ask my best friend Saman - he says, “1) Babyzooloo, 2) Problem-solver...NOT, 3. Considerate”.

What are you most proud of in your life?

My wonderful family. My beloved family.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from LIFE and people. I know it’s beginning to sound very “cheesy”, but still my family!

Who has influenced you the most in life?

My mother Mahin the sunshine of my life. Abjeeloo [Safoura]

Do you have any pets?

No, but I will have dogs some day. Yes. Two Russian [turtles].

What's next for the Abjeez?

Next up is new music, tours and nice gatherings with all our "jeez" and "daadaasheez" out there! More songs, videos and concerts.

How can your fans stay updated on your adventures?

Through our new upcoming website which will be launched this year. Until then www.myspace.com/abjeez, www.facebook.com/abjeez and www.abjeez.com .