Esfand Pourmand

[Rasputin]

[Rasputin]

.Z: How do you see the condition of the world today, especially our part of the world, Middle East?

I can only tell you what I see and feel from a person in the outside looking in. I don't live in Iran and I can't tell you or even come close to letting you know what our generation is going through. But I feel greed and personal gain is becoming the underlying problem in this global market. There is a great division between rich and poor, we see world leaders use the media, religions, fear, and you name it to control people. I don't really see a big difference between politics in America and Iran… There is a certain smell of filth when you look deep in any political system. The question is, what can we do change our situation today? Why do we look at the situation in Africa and feel no sympathy? Will we truly feel the same pain if tragedy would hit another continent instead of ours? I really believe if we can solve these problems internally, overtime we can look at our situation and have a more optimistic view.

Z.Z: Have you ever tried to write in Persian?

Not with Landlord. I prefer to write in English because it reaches a broader audience.

Z.Z: Do you travel to Iran? (If no, why?)

I have not lately but I am hoping to travel to Iran this summer.

Z.Z: Do you follow the Iranian Alternative Music Scene?

I try to stay connected through the Internet. 127 was touring the states few months ago, they are doing their thing. But in New York there is not a big Iranian Alternative scene… There are few Iranian artists that are putting out quality work using…

Z.Z: Any Iranian musician or band that is your Favourite? Why is that?

I am still searching for a favourite band… but I really like what I hear from O-HUM

Z.Z: OK, now, could you please give us a list of new underground bands with quality for some buzz here plus their website?! (Especially if you know any band in N.Y or US with Iranian background or a member who is Iranian just like you. Other wise it is Ok with some American band too)

Atoosa is a great singer/song writer - http://www.atoosa.net/
Ply Persian rapper from Utah - http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~jpark3...ssrecords.html
The exit American Rock Band - http://www.theexitrock.com/

Z.Z: The last but maybe the strangest question; do you listen to any Iranian Pop music, the kind that calls LA/Pop? Why?

Ahhhh, I was hoping you would ask this question… LA/Pop… Few months back I remember being at a friends house and they had LA/Pop playing in the background… I took a moment to listen to the words and all the lyrics said was "beya beya beya beya boro boro boro boro" or translated in English "come come come come go go go go", And this is just the tip of the iceberg… I am going to spare your readers with my true feelings on LA/Pop… but it does serve a purpose! Amongst the shallow culture of LA/Pop or pop music in general quality music will always stand out, a perfect example is googoosh, the quality of her work is really apparent when you compare her to the LA/Pop. But that's my opinion, I am pretty sure that there are LA/Pop fans that can't stand Landlord… which is perfectly fine by me.

[Dariush]

o-hum radio station hastesh?

[Rasputin]

o-hum radio station hastesh?

lool .o-hum is very nice rock underground group in iran .

[Dariush]

oh sorry nemidoonestam