AltWeeklies Wire
Iraqi Oudist and Composer Rahim AlHaj Spreads Peace and Compassionnew
While countries around the world are in turmoil, their music lives on in refugee status. It makes sense, but it does rattle one's sense of cultural authenticity and what that means in the modern day. How does Iraqi music change when the musician doesn't live in Iraq anymore?
East Bay Express |
Tom Chandler |
11-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Sweatshop Union Brings Its Politically Conscious Hip-hop to Americanew
Not many hip-hop artists hail from Vancouver, and even fewer can claim Iranian heritage and a father who spent 10 years as a political prisoner.
Colorado Springs Independent |
Bill Forman |
09-09-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Jazz Trumpeter Amir ElSaffar Builds a Bridge to Iraqnew

ElSaffar's suite Two Rivers forges a singular fusion of jazz and Iraqi classical music -- and reconciles his roots in the process.
Chicago Reader |
Peter Margasak |
08-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Going Undergroundnew

Singer Jamie Stewart prefers baroque answers to pressing problems. A track on Xiu Xiu's upcoming CD describes cannibalizing the commander-in-chief.
Riverfront Times |
Andrew Miller |
06-28-2005 |
Profiles & Interviews