In this review, I’m going to be delving into a wholly globalized artist: Kiumars Roshanzamir. The musician was born in Iran, is of Danish nationality, and he’s currently a citizen of China working and teaching as a professional architect.
Musicians like this are particularly intriguing because they typically infuse a variety of cultural influences into their sound. That’s definitely the case with Roshanzamir, and his two new eclectic singles exemplify that elegantly. Let’s get into them.
Roshanzamir’s first new tune is ‘Beat a Tattoo in Heart,’ a soft instrumental that highlights a few sonic layers of guitar prowess on behalf of Roshanzamir. The mix is simplistic, utilizing sparse percussion along with several overlaid guitars and a synthesizer. Said mix isn’t particularly strong, and the second guitar is mixed far too low, while the other is mixed too high. The levels are off throughout, and the percussion feels like a footnote that was far undermixed amidst such loud wolf howling and electric experiments. Stepping away from the production, though, one will find a deeply fascinating jaunt through improvisational guitar musings. Despite its unpolished sound, ‘Beat a Tattoo in Heart’ is a very rewarding experience, one I’d love to see mixed by a new engineer at some point.
‘Phantom Borders’ has a much more organic feel to its production, bringing out the percussion and backing in an even mix. The overall quality of the master on this track is dramatically improved over its predecessor. Roshanzamir’s guitar style is a bit of a double edged sword – it’s spontaneous, embraces a high level of world influence, and it’s incredibly intricate and well-paced. On the opposite end, there are some notes that feel awry at times, but this does mostly occur when Roshanzamir is layering two guitars on top of one another.
Roshanzamir is an interesting artist who seems to be exploring sonic pastures for fun. Nothing about these two tracks seems overly serious, and that’s good. They feel carefree and authentic, as if you’re in the room with him as he plods away on the guitar. They’re very much worth your time if you like instrumental, world, or experimental music, or if you’re a guitarist and want to tune into a fine exhibition of improvisational talent.
By Brett Stewart
I’m a professional writer and editor, a journalism major, and I have extensive experience in musical review. I worked for two years as the Editor & Chief of an arts magazine, Strike Magazine, where I worked closely with writers and musicians. Through this, I was able to interact with dozens of acts including Heart, Holly Williams, Robert Cray, John Hiatt, and more. The magazine printed thousands of issues and was even recognized by Rolling Stone’s founder, Jann Wenner.
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Kiumars: First time I heard about you came from Twitter and SoundCloud. Your response was fast and professional. Unlike many other music promotion websites, whilst sending robotic expression in their communication skills, yours was different. I felt like taking to someone who cares and provides an opportunity not to take opportunity from him or her. I became more curious to explore the contents of your site, and compared with the others. Finally came to this conclusion to sign up. Wish I knew about this earlier.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Kiumars: I born in Iran watched my mother and sister playing on piano. Loved music ever since learned to walk. From mother side artist, musician, father side doctors, and physicians. We followed mom’s legacy and every each of us became musician and artist. However, soon I moved for Europe at age seventeen. What made me to decide to become an artist was not a decision. I born with it and I die with it.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Kiumars: I did not come up with a name. It is my birth name. Moreover, I kind of like it. What I do not like is to be someone else.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Kiumars: Absolutely, yes. Today almost impossible to be noticed without sharing. Giving music free is no longer an option but a must. Many still confused with the word free. In fact, it is an investment not donation.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Kiumars: I can only share my thoughts as personal opinion not advising or lecturing. Here goes the way I think is right to do:
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Take the previous question seriously and thoroughly plan a network to build your way up patiently.
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Song reviews are important not only it rings the bell, also the best testing tool to learn from your mistakes. It is not enough to know about your songs from friends or the cheerful crowd in a bar. Friends are nice to you and crowd are probably drunk. The point is that the next day or soon after, no one remembers your songs. The crowd review is different. They praise you by the quality not kindly gesture as well criticize your song by weakness. You will know about your audience average age, location, taste of music and to learn marketability of song. Such information are a necessity to begin doing a market research, which usually cost arm and legs if done by agencies. A $25 or more is nothing in compare to what to get and stay in loop.
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Be always prepared and when the big moment comes you are ready to catch. Luck does not knock the door twice.
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Do not expect too much, be patient. Do not get disappointed which is what comes with the package for everyone in this business. Just learn how to deal with it.
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It is a long road but can be shorter if planed well. Marketing needs time and tedious efforts. However, your product is your music, your talent and without it, marketing is useless. So, take good care. Stay healthy. Be happy. Save energy for the best of yours, which is the music. Your audience need you.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Kiumars: Who doesn’t? Of course I do. All musician hear more of their mistakes on stage than the audience do. However, depends on kind of mistakes. Some of them are minor not much noticeable. Some mistakes can be corrected quickly on spot, which sounds like improvising and if handled naturally may sound even more interesting and pleasing to hear. Some mistakes are even inspiring and many times happen that you like to go back to that moment and do the same mistake again. What is very wrong to do is that if the musician panic and stop in the middle of song or show stress on face. Audience would not forget or forgive if that happens.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Kiumars: Not every musician is in a position of touring. That is a different level and a different lifestyle.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Kiumars: This is my favorite question and can write a book about it, I do not start a new song over a decision but by listening to myself. It always starts with a short message in which I hear and receive vividly in tones of sound while playing gently on guitar, which takes me with to a journey. Have no idea to where it takes me but excited to wait and reach there. It is like watching a movie or reading a book that relieves only in mind. Pages flip in mind; words start to dance with the tune played. That is how I know a new song is about to burst. I do not copy or play other musicians songs enables me to have a free and pure mind to generate something fresh and new.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Kiumars: “RadioAirpaly”, “Reverbnation” and “SoundCloud” host my songs.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Kiumars: When you say on my mp3 player, are you referring to my music collection or my own songs? If it is about my collection from other musician, they are all masterpieces by great musicians. If it is about my music, you will not find anything embarrassing. However, you may find some you dislike.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Kiumars: I have already the best lifestyle I could ever dream off having. I do not need that and never wish to have a year off. Because what I do is, what I love to do and will continue doing, writing songs, playing music, taking exclusive photos, creating new design and architecture.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Kiumars: I always add extra toys into my studio and upgrade on yearly basis. I am planning to build a new private studio.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Kiumars: My situation is different from those who make living on music or have a band that somehow unable make decision alone. I am more relaxed a free of boundaries which is a good thing in making music but also a disadvantage in promoting. I kept a low profile networking and open to expand a try more efficiently in near future.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Kiumars: Well now, we are talking about impossible wish list. Let me give you the list but promise don’t laugh:
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I wish to write and compose a song together with Paul McCartney
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I wish to play a new song together with Keith Richards
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I wish to wright a song for Sam Smith
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I wish to sing a new song together with Norah Jones
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I wish to perform one night in Albert Hall open to homeless people free of charge
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Kiumars: Yes, the new song inspired by taking a photo from a wall in an Island called “Piano Island” where young lovers signed their names and carved hearts on it. I came up with this caption in mind “The wall that remembers, the hearts that forget” and that was where the idea of writing a song came from and named the song “Wall of Blues”. I am still working on it and will release soon.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Kiumars: Sad question. Why this question to make me cry. What a miserable life I would have without it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Kiumars: Yes, very clearly, because I was so excited that day and still have it. That was an LP by Rolling Stones
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Kiumars: First, I am not trying and have nothing to prove. However, I know what I love and where is taking me. I just enjoy it and cannot think of any form of responsibility or obligation.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Kiumars: I rather not to use the term “fans” but an audience whom we share the same interest and enjoy the songs that touches our hearts. In fact, that audience are my fans not vice versa
