Abjeez: Swedish-Persian Band storming up a Cultural Revolution on Their own!

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Abjeez on radio Deutsche Welle

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abjee (aab.gee)Persian slang for sister ...

and that’s just what they are - Safoura and Melody Safavi. Backed by a colorful crew of musicians, the two abjee’s present their own original brand of Persian world pop! Their lyrics, often humorous and sometimes rebellious, are written in Farsi, but the expressive groove of the music and the abjees’ dramatic delivery break down all language barriers to create a new synthesis of cultures.

BAND:

Safoura (abjeeloo) Safavi: Song, guitar and composer Safoura loved performing on stage from early age. She played theatrics, danced, sang and annoyed every cousin in the family. All that changed drastically when she received a karaoke machine from her brother Sufi on her 10th birthday!!!Soon she began playing the guitar and composing songs. Safoura hasstudied music at Hvitfeldtska School of music in Gothenburg (Sweden), and continued her studies at Fundacion Christina Heeren del arteflamenco in Seville, Espania (try saying that 5 times), where she specialized in flamenco guitar and vocals.

Melody (abjeezooloo) Safavi: Song, LyricsMelody has been moving around like a gypsy since the age of 20. Wandering around different countries, jumping from one branch to another with hopes of finding what she wants to do when all grown up. Despite bouncing around like a rubber ball, writing lyrics and painting are her biggest passions. Melody has studied Social studies at Middsweden University in Sweden and currently works in the field of media.

Johan Moberg: GuitarJohan began playing violin at the age of 8, changed to drums by 9, but soon realized young ladies dig guitarists more. Johan hasstudied Flamenco Guitar at Fundacion Cristina Heeren del arte flamenco in Seville and Taller de Musicsof Barcelona, Spain.

Erland Hoffgard: Bass Erland studied to become a car engineer when he accidentallycrashed his car into a guitar during his teens. After playing a few chords, he realized that music wasn’t just his destiny, but also his density! Erland has studied music at Pitea University of music (Sweden)

Robin Cochrane: DrumsRobin began his exciting career painting banjos then moved on to paintingtrombones and various horn instruments. Soon all that excitment gotout of control and he bagan playing the piano at the age of 6Finally percussion sparked his interest by age 8. He hasdevoted his life to music since then. Robin has studied music at Palmcrantz in Ostersundin Sweden. He eats, drinks and breathsmusic. He has actually written songs in his sleep.

Paulo Murga: PercussionHe started his career playing folk music from the Andes, Chile at age 12, but soon his destiny took him further and further up North to the “Swedish Andes”. Paulo is professionalized in Cuban percussion and studio techniques and creates the most elegant sounds out of the world’s simplest instruments. Paulo has studied music at Haparanda Folkhogskola (Sweden), and ISA (Instituto Superior de Artes) in Cuba. He teaches music at Pitea Unversity of Music (Sweden).

Sufi (el diablito) Safavi: Sound engineerSufi is the exhibitionist who lives on the edge of all extremes. He always wantsto put Loud, heavy distortions on every note. Sufi plays the guitar, tweakson his Indian sitar, takes care of all the hard work behind the sceneand has dog ears for sound. He has studied sound engineeringat Pitea University of Muic (Sweden) and is currentlyworking as social worker assisting refuges inSweden. Some day he’s gonna change the world.

Photos from their Concert at the San Francisco's Great American Music Hall, courtesy of Iranian.com

To see more photos click here.