Ashoor Z.Moradian

‎Ideal Music talks to Ashoor Moradian / “Working with Mazyar Fallahi comes from the heart”

Ideal Music – Zahra Tamkin: On a winter day we went to the Arian Drum School for a friendly conversation with Ashoor Moradian, the drummer in Mazyar Fallahi’s band. As always, Moradian answered our questions with patience and kindness. Don’t miss Ideal Music’s interview with Ashoor Moradian:

*How did you come to choose the drums as your path?

Anyone who enters the arts follows

their passion, and I followed mine. I grew up in a thoroughly artistic family, and my father was one of Iran’s veteran drummers. Perhaps the main reason I was drawn to this instrument was my father’s presence in the field.

* Which other groups have you worked with?

I have worked with many groups, but most people know me through Mazyar Fallahi’s band. Over the years I have worked with Mr. Khajeh Nouri, Maani Rahnama, and the rock band Sair, with which I took part in the International Youth Music Festival, where we fortunately won first place. There is also Haman, the band my friends and I have been playing in since 2003, and I can promise that good things are coming our way soon. Haman’s album will be released shortly.

* What kind of music do you listen to?

My personal passion is rock music,  and I’m a huge Pink Floyd fan.

*What was it about Mazyar Fallahi that made you keep working with him?

Mazyar Fallahi is one of my close friends, and our relationship goes beyond that of a musician and a singer. I can honestly say that working with Mazyar Fallahi comes from the heart. On our first working day, neither of us knew the other, and working as a musician is a completely professional matter. But that is no longer how it feels to me in Mazyar’s band: everything is friendly and heartfelt. Working with Mazyar is an honor for me. His character and personality are one of a kind.

*How did you meet Mazyar Fallahi?

When he was putting his band together, I was rehearsing alongside other musicians, and I was introduced to Mr. Fallahi. One day we played together at a rehearsal session, which thank God went well and led to our ongoing collaboration. I am now in my fifth year working with Mazyar.

*Some people may think drummers have an aggressive temperament. How far would you agree?

Not at all. Perhaps this view comes from the fact that the drums are a very energetic instrument, more physical than others, always full of excitement and liveliness. In my view, a drummer’s job is to create excitement in the hall, and like any musician I want the people who come to our concerts to enjoy them to the fullest.

*Some years ago there was a belief that people who went to Mazyar Fallahi’s concerts were depressed and sad. Didn’t this lead people around you to try to talk you out of working with him?

People who come to Mazyar’s concerts clearly know what kind of music they are looking for, and thank God, to this day everyone who has come to our concerts has left the hall fully satisfied.  The people around me have never held such a view. I love Mazyar’s music very much. In my view, Mazyar Fallahi is one of those singers who make wholesome music, and his deepest feelings are poured into his work. The reason, you could say,  is that Mazyar writes his own lyrics, composes his melodies, arranges them and finally performs them on stage. I’m glad that, alongside Mazyar, we perform wholesome music full of genuine feeling for our audience.

*Tell us about your teaching background.

I have been teaching continuously for 4 years, and my way of teaching has changed since I started. The reason is that my knowledge grows and I gain experience day by day. Like others who teach music, I want to share this knowledge with people who are interested in the field. Of course, it is a long and difficult road.

*How keen are students on the drums?

Students are very keen on the drums. But given the difficulties  involved in playing this instrument, things are a bit harder for a drummer. The drums are bulky, need a lot of space and are among the more expensive instruments. Another reason fewer people take them up may be that they are very loud. Of course, getting started costs less and can be quieter, and technology has also helped us overcome these problems.  Fortunately, at the drum school we have good facilities for teaching the drums.

*How did you become so well in sync with the other band members?

We have been working together for a long time, and most of the musicians in our band are among the best in the profession in the country. In my view, all of us in Mazyar Fallahi’s band are like a family. The biggest reason for our harmony is the presence of Mazyar and his brother Khashayar Fallahi, whose sound management and wisdom have created a friendly atmosphere  in the band.

*Do you have a particular role model in music?

Yes: Pink Floyd. I can honestly say that listening to Pink Floyd’s music is what made me determined to choose this path.

*Tell us about your experience appearing in the TV series Frozen Heart (Ghalb-e Yakhi).

I ended up in it completely by chance. You may find it interesting that one night I dreamed I was going to act in a film. The next day I spoke to Khashayar Fallahi and told him about my dream, and he, surprised and laughing, said that we were going to appear alongside Mazyar Fallahi in the series Frozen Heart.

*After Frozen Heart, are you thinking about acting?

I acted in a few short films and plays in high school, and if I get a good offer, why not? I would certainly welcome it. Although acting is very hard, I would like to try this profession too.

* Do you have a special memory of Ali Tabatabaei?

Yes. Ali and I were very good friends. Like me, Ali was a Persepolis fan, and we shared lots of football memories. In 2012 he also joined us on stage as a guitarist.  Every time we play “Blade of Love” (Tigh-e Eshgh),  not only I but all the guys  are overcome with emotion.

*There were complaints that Mazyar Fallahi’s band did not attend Ali Tabatabaei’s funeral. What can you tell us about that?

 On the night of Ali Tabatabaei’s burial our band was not in Tehran, and unfortunately we were not in Iran for his seventh-day memorial either. But I know about the good relationship between Mazyar and Ali, and I know that Mr. Fallahi sent flowers to Ali’s ceremony on behalf of the band and spoke by phone with Kamal Tabatabaei, Ali’s  esteemed father. Throughout our European  concert tour we performed “Blade of Love” in memory of Ali Tabatabaei.

*How do concerts in Iran and Europe differ in the way they are run?

 Nowhere compares to Iran. Whether in Iran or abroad, we put in the same amount of energy. In my opinion, concerts held in Iran are among the good ones. But if  we look at it technically, I have to say that the sound engineering at the European concerts was excellent, and we got the best sound in the shortest time. I am proud to play among my compatriots in Iran.

*What do you think about singers based abroad returning to Iran?

Returning to Iran is an entirely personal decision for each singer, but in my view the markets abroad do not meet their needs. Those who work in Iran are very strong.

*In Ashoor Moradian’s view, which is Mazyar Fallahi’s best song?

 I love all of Mazyar’s work, but my favorites are “I Love You to the Brim” (Doostet Daram Labaleb) from the album Frozen Heart, “For Baran” (Baraye Baran) from the album Damn Me (La’nat Be Man) and “Wheat” (Gandom) from the album The Seventh Month (Mah-e Haftom). 

*How much do you think about innovation within the band?

I can only innovate on my own instrument in ways that serve Mazyar Fallahi’s music. The drums are an instrument that must be at the service of the music; in Mazyar’s music especially, dynamics have a very  strong impact, and you have to serve the music in a very measured way.

*Tell us about your best memory from the Tehran concerts.

My best and most important memory is my father attending one of the concerts; I truly drew incredible energy from his presence. Likewise, the presence of Ahmadreza Abedzadeh, the most beloved footballer in Iran’s history, created an amazing buzz in the hall.

* Can a drummer use other sounds in their drum kit?

Yes, but not with just any instrument. It is possible to combine the kit with percussion instruments and electronic pads (Launchpad, etc.). There are players who have tried this and done a lot of work in this area.

*Given the recent wave of fusing traditional and modern music, can the drums be combined with traditional instruments?

Yes, but fusion must have a solid foundation. I believe it takes a great deal of knowledge. Some time ago I started studying Iran’s regional music so that I can apply those rhythms to my instrument. Many players have done this, and like my teacher Mr. Moghaddam I wanted to do it too. When international masters came to Iran, they found it interesting that our players performed foreign rhythms well, but when they asked us to play Iranian drums, it got us thinking about doing something different. In my opinion, the best in music has already been created and we are repeating it, but our musicians are outstanding too and always work precisely and methodically.

*Why are drums used less on music  albums?

Unfortunately, even though the drums are a core instrument, they are not used on albums because of the high cost of recording, the lack of suitable facilities, and a lack of experience and knowledge of drum recording techniques.

Sadly, on many albums we hear non-standard rhythms and grooves, and this  comes down to arrangers who write drum parts without the necessary knowledge  and do not even consult a drummer.

*How did audiences receive the European concerts?

Wherever Mazyar Fallahi goes, the response is excellent.

*Who do you credit for your band’s success?

Success is the result of good teamwork and of the management of those at the top. Khashayar Fallahi’s role in the band  as manager is very significant. He is like an older brother to me and supports everyone in the band.

*Tell us about having Davood Jafari in your band.

Having Davood in our band is a great blessing; he is one of the most learned artists in music. He teaches instrument classes and has his own following. I live with Davood Jafari, and he is my roommate on tour. You may not believe it, but Davood and I spend most of our time together. Very often, just from a movement of Davood’s hand, I understand what he wants to say.