YouTube Sessions: Kasra V
TweetKasra Vaseghi aka 22-year old Iranian producer Kasra V, could be viewed as something of a music aficionado. Now based in London, he hosts his own NTS Radio slot – The Paradise Show – that explores an array of far flung sounds, from 70s Persian gems to 90s House and all that good stuff in between, as well as being an avid collector of rare Middle Eastern records. For any users of the 22 Tracks music discovery platform he curates the Balearic section, a showcase of oddball, laid back jams. If you happen to be in London this weekend you can check one of his far-reaching sets at comm•une this Friday, Kasra V plays alongside Nummer, FYI Chris and Billson at Dalston’s Dance Tunnel.
Moving on to beat making, Vaseghi’s debut record ‘The Persian Prince’ EP landed on Make Love In Public Spaces (LIPS 004) earlier this year, having honed his craft over the past few years on an array of hardware, including the MPC2000, FM keyboards and a whole host of synths. His next record ‘Atlantis’ will drop on the same label on September 28th, keep your ear to the ground for more on that one.
In the run up to the party we have Kasra V on the YouTube buttons, taking us through a fascinating selection that feature as an eclectic sentiment as you would expect. It includes a classic Vangelis piece from the Blade Runner OST, a number from Swiss synthpop act Yello and a fascinating documentary on the avant-garde Shiraz Arts Festival, held in Iran in the 60s an 70s. Let Kasra V take you on a playlisted journey below and read on for his commentary on each.
1. La danse du berger
An excerpt from a documentary drama by Parviz Kimiavi called ‘The Garden of Stones’ made in 1976. It’s a story of Darvish Khan . I was so blown away when I watched this for the first time earlier this year, definitely check it out!
2. Shiraz Arts Festival
A documentary about an avant-garde arts festival that was held yearly in Shiraz from 1967 to 1977, located outside Persepolis. I first heard about this festival from my aunt, she told me she saw John Cage and Kraftwerk there back in the 70s ! Could have potentially been a very successful festival if still around.
3. Googoosh- Talagh
One from my homeland, Googoosh worked with some incredible orchestras back in the early 70s, I did a show on NTS of her work, check it out when you can!
4. Kourosh Yaghmaei – ‘Niayesh’
Kourosh is probably one of the most underrated musicians from Iran and this video is from a show called ‘Rangarang’ which was the Iranian equivalent of Top of the Pops. I get goosebumps every time I hear this!
5. Vangelis – ‘Tales of the Future’
Featured in the OST for Blade Runner, this is probably one of my all time favourite tracks by Vangelis. It features the late Demis Roussos on vocals.
6. MC Sultan – ‘Der Bauch’
Signature Middle Eastern percussion and flutes, and a solid bass and kick – can’t say no to this one!
7. Khidja – ‘The Quiet Before the Red Stop’
Futuristic Middle Eastern inspired number from the Romanian duo Khidja that has been in my bag for a while.
8. Yello- Santiago
I’m so obsessed with Yello, it always surprises me how stuff like this would get published by Warner Bros back then, guess the music industry has changed a lot huh?
9. Bappi Lahiri- Habiba
This one is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
10. Afacan- Dost Sevgisi
Every time I’ve played this track out I get at quite a few people asking me what it is. Out to Afacan AKA Jonny Rock for this one!
Kasra V plays alongside Nummer and FYI Chris at comm•une at Dalston Dance Tunnel, Friday 21 August. More info and tickets here.
(Disclaimer: comm•une was co-founded by Hyponik staff Josh Thomas)
