Esfand Pourmand

[Rasputin]

Z.Z: How long have you lived in US? Which state?

I left Iran when I was ten and moved to California… I guess it's a norm for Iranians to relocate to Tehrangeles, but after four years my parents, being artists themselves decided to leave California and raised us in a culture deeply rooted in art, music, self-expression, diversity… New York, and I thank them for it. Needless to say I have lived in New York City for 14 years. The last song that appears on the "Glitterati" album Mourning After is dedicated to the city that shows how fragile we are…

Z.Z: When did you guys start Landlord? How did you meet each other?

I had been in and out of band for… God knows how long. But in 2002 after completing a solo project I decided it was time to give all I had to music. But the direction I was headed required band members that would share the same desire and same sense of honesty… So I started the search… when I first heard Title on the drums, he reminded me of Bonham and Copeland wrapped in one… he was on board from the beginning. Then came the search for a bassist… after a year of searching and playing with multiple bassists nothing came… And I guess it was fate because Andres, childhood friend of Titles, an artist with a deep appreciation for the Beatles, and a great musical talent walked in to form Landlord.

Z.Z: What is Landlord?! And what does it mean to you personally?

One of The Police's early tunes was named "Landlord" but it never made it on an album… And since we are all deeply influenced by The Police it made perfect sense…

Z.Z: How do you explain the sound of the Landlord or let me put it this way; what is the music style of Landlord?

The sound is a combination of our influences and personal experiences. Just to name a few… Midnight Oil, The Clash, The Cure, The Smiths, Blur, Depeche Mode, The Beatles, Radiohead, The Stone Roses, INXS, The Police… The latest Depeche Mode album is a masterpiece and the latest Cure album the most honest and heart felt piece of art of heard in years. But besides our influences our experiences drive Landlord. We try to stay true to our external influences, social, political, or personal pressures. We channel all into Landlord…

Z.Z: Who writes the lyrics?

Both Andres and I write the lyrics. Awful State of Limbo, Everything for No One, and Vois Dire are written by Andres, and all are beautiful songs… The other lyrics written by me…

Z.Z: The music then?

All three of us write the music. I might come in with an idea or even an entire song, but by the time the song is finished all three of us put our signatures on the tune, that's when the song comes alive

Z.Z: Do you guys consider yourselves as a political band?

Not at all… I do understand why people mistake us for a political band. I guess our lyrics could be translated to have a political message. But the truth is that we write about all the things that make us question the way we live and conduct ourselves as human beings. But we do not have political goal or a message. The reality is that politics is a part of all our existence… and if you look within and write about yourself, its logical to say that politics will influence the way you write.

Z.Z: Do you really believe that politicising the music can make a change?

I think for change to take place individual themselves must take the responsibility to look within and make the right decisions. I don't believe that music should be used for political purposes. Don't get m wrong, I think music has the potential to change the way people think and has a great influence on the listeners, perfect example is Midnight Oil… but their message was not political, it was bringing social awareness to the masses and letting the listeners make their own decisions.

...Now a political question but before that I want us to read a great piece that you have on your "Bio" section of the Landlord homepage, where you wrote:

"…I am influenced by everyday life, the American Lie, and the dried tears of a helpless child. Influenced by the corrupt religious institutions that make politicians look divine and the animal that has control within all of us. Influenced by the dream of peace, the fact that peace is only a dream, the sound war, and the screams of innocent people gone unheard. Influenced by the machine, the pounding notion of fear that the media creates, and the media that the government creates. Influenced by words, the power of duct tape, oil, 'freedom of thought', and the illusion of 'freedom of speech'. Influenced by love and hate, night and day, sex, and the warm gun of happiness. Influenced by corporate corruption, Star Bucks in every other corner, bling bling, and pop. Influenced by media's fascination with the king of pop and the lack of fascination with the crises in South Africa. Influenced by music.

[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]

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

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