Niyaz

June 11, 2012

The perfect mesh of modernity & ancient folklore in the presence of the band Niyaz I had listened to traditional Middle Eastern music here and there, the Sufi poets of ancient Persia have caught my interest, and I think the current chaos we hear about everyday on the radio pertaining to civil unrest in countries such as Syria and Iran are obscuring mainstream understanding of the cultures in the Middle East. Yet, when I had the honor of witnessing the Iranian band Niyaz live in NYC, I was truly blown away.

The lead singer Azam Ali's voice brings you back in time to Medieval Persia, a land of philosophy and Sufi poetry centered on love and peace. Azam did not let the opportunity to convey Niyaz's message pass either. She engaged the audience when she spoke of the minority groups in many Middle Eastern countries who are struggling to survive in regimes focusing on dissipating their existence. Much of Niyaz's music is traditional folk songs from these minority groups, and when watching Niyaz perform them live you can imagine yourself in a mountainous village in ancient Persia.

With the accessibility of so much music today, finding anything contemporary with much substance can often be difficult. Niyaz offers ancient wisdom, vocals that give you chills, and one of kind instruments layered over electronic sounds that have the power to make even wallflowers sway to the tribal rhythms.