Introducing… Maryam Rahmani

Iranian-born and Adelaide-based composer Maryam Rahmani has announced her debut album ‘Kamand’. It is an album that explores the idea of acculturation. This is the process of merging into a host culture, whilst still honouring one’s ancestral roots. Entirely experimental, the album draws inspiration from Persian classical standards and poetry, such as the 14th-century mystic Hafez.

Lead single ‘Encanto’ (which, thanks to a certain Disney film, makes anything of the same name a wild ride to find online) showcases the santur. A santur is a hammered dulcimer of Mesopotamian origins. I have a strong affinity with hammered dulcimers, and the santur doesn’t get nearly as much love as the Chinese Yangqin. The santur often has less bass than other hammered dulcimers due to its lighter mallets and soundboard. It lends itself well to psychedelic tippy toeing, which is what this single does well. ‘Encanto’ pairs the santur with distant vocals and a flamenco-adjacent kick drum to send the listener spiralling. The full album will also feature cello, piano, double bass, and plenty of kamancheh – the Iranian bowed string instrument.

Maryam Rahmani has paired the curious single with a beautiful music video that plays out like an audiovisual experience. Reminding me of Ron Fricke films, we see Persian cultural elements pass by like postcards at pace. I could watch the video repeatedly, and have done so already! I find it calmly hypnotic, much like the song itself.

The single ‘Encanto’ is out now. For more information about Maryam Rahmani and the upcoming album ‘Kamand’, releasing on 22nd August, follow her on Bandcamp.

Support Higher Plain Music

Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.