Born in Sari, near the Caspian Sea, Anousha Nazari began singing with Iranian local orchestras. Parallel to her musical studies, she studied Architecture and graduated in 2012. Winner of the Tehran Music International Festival Prize in the choir section in 2013 and 2014, she has participated in various national and international festivals and performed in the most prestigious halls in Iran (Roudaki Hall, Vahdat, Arasbaran etc). In 2014, she was selected for the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, then under the direction of Maestro Alexander Rahbari. Living in France since 2016, she joined the lyric singing section at the Conservatoire Rayonnement Régional de Cergy.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Anousha Nazari. What made you want to become a musician?
I have always loved music, and my passion for it started at a very young age. Since my childhood, I have been exposed to classical music, and I listened to a lot of Beethoven and Mozart, as well as non-European composers like Khatchatourian, Hadjibeyov, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Baghcheban. These musics influenced me a lot and helped to shape my musical tastes and preferences.
However, my passion for music really burst when I read the novel "Jean-Christophe" by Romain Rolland when I was a teenager. This novel was a turning point for me, and it made me want to enter the world of music more deeply. The story of the main character's journey as a musician, and his passion for music, was inspiring to me, and it made me realize how powerful music can be.
Over time, my passion for music only grew stronger, and I realized that I wanted to pursue a career as a musician. I started to work hard to hone my skills and to develop my artistic voice, and I eventually became a professional musician.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Yes, I do have hobbies and interests outside of music. One of my favorite hobbies is reading books. I love to lose myself in a good story and explore new worlds and perspectives. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction, or poetry, reading is a wonderful way for me to escape the stresses of everyday life and to learn something new.
Another hobby of mine is painting. I find painting to be a therapeutic and creative outlet. Whether I am working on a landscape, still life, or portrait, I love the process of bringing my imagination to life on the canvas. I find that painting helps me to develop my problem-solving skills, as well as my ability to focus and concentrate.
I am also involved with a cultural NGO organization. I believe that art and culture are essential to creating a vibrant and inclusive society, and I am passionate about making a positive impact in my community through my involvement in this organization. Whether I am helping to organize events, raise funds, or simply spreading the word about the organization's mission, I find that my involvement with this group is a fulfilling and enriching experience.
In conclusion, while music is a big part of my life, I also enjoy exploring other areas of interest and engaging in various hobbies and activities. Whether it's reading books, painting, or working with a cultural organization, I believe that it's important to have a well-rounded life and to pursue our passions in multiple areas.
Your latest song is 'Caravane'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
« Caravane », was a wonderful experience to create. It was produced by Gondishapour and directed by Reza Dehghan in a very nice and beautiful environment, and I have to say that it was one of the pleasant memories of my life. The staff was very professional, and they made the entire process of creating the song a delightful experience.
The making of "Caravane" was a collaborative effort between myself and the production team. We worked together to craft the sound and the message of the song, and it was a joy to see our collective efforts come to life.
As far as any unusual things happening during the process, I would say that the most unexpected thing was just how much fun we all had while creating the song. Despite the hard work and the focus that was required, we all had a great time and built a strong sense of camaraderie.
Can you write more about the music video? Where did the idea for it come from?
The music video for "Caravane," which was from the album "Sounds of Ancestor," was inspired by the lyrics and theme of the song. The idea was to create a visual journey that reflected the lyrics' idea of wandering, exploring, and dreaming.
The video features stunning landscapes and breathtaking scenery, highlighting the beauty and mystery of the world around us. It's a visual representation of the journey described in the song, where the caravan keeps moving on, and the traveler explores new and uncharted territories. The video is shot in a very cinematic style, with sweeping shots of the various locations and panning shots of the landscapes.
Overall, the idea behind the music video was to create a visual journey that would evoke the feeling of adventure and wonder, and bring the lyrics of "Caravane" to life in a beautiful and evocative way.
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I have had a diverse range of experiences and careers throughout my life. While I studied architecture and music at the same time, I never actually pursued a career in either field. Instead, I found my calling in the world of cultural organizations.
Working in this field allowed me to utilize my creativity, passion for art, and love for cultural exchange. I was able to work on various projects that aimed to promote cultural heritage and diversity, and bring people from different backgrounds together through the power of art.
My role in these organizations involved a wide range of tasks, from event planning and coordination, to managing budgets and ensuring that all events were executed smoothly. I also had the opportunity to collaborate with artists and musicians from all over the world, which was truly a fulfilling experience.
I truly believe that cultural organizations play a crucial role in bringing people together and fostering cross-cultural understanding. I am proud to have been a part of such organizations and to have contributed to their mission in any way I could. While being an artist is my true passion, I will always cherish my experiences working in cultural organizations and the lessons I learned during that time.
Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician.
As a musician and classical singer, I have a lot of favorite aspects of my profession. One of the highlights is the thrill of performing on stage. There's nothing quite like the energy of a live performance and the connection that you can create with your audience. I also love the creative process of producing music, exploring new sounds and melodies and finding ways to express myself through my music.
However, like any job, there are also some challenges that come with being a musician. One of the least favorite aspects for me is the unpredictability and inconsistency of the profession. Booking gigs and securing steady income can be difficult, and it can be tough to balance the demands of your music career with other aspects of your life. Additionally, the pressure to constantly create and produce new music can also be stressful.
Despite these challenges, the joy and fulfillment that I get from creating and performing music far outweighs any difficulties. It's a privilege to be able to pursue my passion and make a living doing something that I love, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
What’s your scariest experience?
I really don't know, maybe I don't have a scary experience.
What are you focussing on right now?
I am currently focusing on some musical projects, including albums and music videos. These projects are taking up most of my time and attention as I work to bring my creative vision to life and produce high-quality music and visuals for my audience to enjoy. Whether it's working in new albums, recording in the studio, or filming music videos, I am fully dedicated to these projects and making sure that they are the best they can be.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
There are many things I would like to change about this profession and it would be difficult to summarize all of these thoughts in a single answer. Nevertheless, I believe that there are many aspects of the profession that could benefit from change and improvement.
Whatever the specific changes may be, I have a passion for making a positive impact and working to improve the profession in any way I can.
What accomplishments do you see yourself achieving in the next five to 10 years?
I would like to develop my musical activities in France and in other countries to meet new audiences but also to collaborate with other artists.
I would also like to be able to sing in Iran as soon as a revolution will come (for information: female solo singing is forbidden under the absurd laws of the Islamic republic of Iran. Women can't study singing in national conservatories or in universities: however, Iranian women's singing is still growing... )
I would like, on my humble scale, to be the voice of a whole generation of Iranian soloists who, for the past four decades of Islamic tyranny in Iran, have not been allowed to share their art with the public. In my opinion, these heroines - often unknown - are guardians of an ancestral culture in danger. They fight daily to pass on this torch to future generations, and I can only deeply admire them.