Most bands start out by covering songs by other established bands. Do you do that too?
Covers go back to when we were twenty-one or twenty-two and had just started out. After that we stopped doing covers and tried to stand on our own two feet.
Given how much most bands love Pink Floyd, have you tried to rework or cover Pink Floyd songs?
We never allowed ourselves to change the work of greats like Pink Floyd. Their standing is far too high for us to do something like that.
Are you trying to put out international work?
We all believe that music is the international language of people, and we will certainly do international work as well.
Who writes and arranges the music in Haman?
The songs are written by Amir and Sina . The arrangements, however, are done as a group: everyone plays his own line, and the result is arranged entirely as rock.
How confident are you that the band’s members will stay together?
Haman’s current cast was formed three years ago, and I’m sure it will last for many years.
You talk about the band’s longevity, yet some members have left!
Saleh Zarei couldn’t stay here and moved to England, but whenever he comes back he will definitely work with us and join us on stage for at least one show. Pouyan Tavakolian ran into some problems and gave up music, and Arash Khorram got caught up in his studies and drifted away from music. Because these people worked hard for the band, I always mention their names and always wish them success.
What do you think makes a band stable and lasting?
A band’s stability comes from being together. It’s not about a few people showing up to rehearsal and doing their job like office workers; that doesn’t make a band stable. Choosing the people who are going to work together is very important: they should be at the same level, and personality matters a lot too. We also have to be there for each other outside of music. That is what stability means.
Do you plan to collaborate with other artists and bands?
I previously did a joint concert project with the band Mavara, but for now I can’t decide about working with others. If we were to do a joint project, for the moment it would only be with the band “Kanal”, since I’m close friends with Navid Eskandar and, for other reasons too, we are in a position to work together.
And when will you be giving a concert?
We were supposed to play before Muharram and Safar, but it didn’t happen. In Bahman (January–February 2014), if it doesn’t clash with Mazyar Fallahi’s concerts, we will definitely perform in Tehran and …
Last question: how does Ashoor Moradian see Haman’s future?
From the very beginning, I had my sights set on Milad Tower. Performing at Milad Tower is one of my dreams and those of the band members, and I hope it happens soon. And of course my biggest dream is to work with “David Gilmour” and to perform internationally.