Meet Arash Avin, Contemporary Iranian Singer and Dancer
As a contemporary Iranian singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, humanitarian, and painter, Arash Avin is a rising star in not only Iran but also in the thriving music industries all over the world, particularly in Los Angeles, USA. Avin was born in Tehran, Iran, at a time when music and arts flourished under the creative freedom granted to the people. This developed his interest in music and the skills at a very young age and displayed advanced musical inclinations for his age.
Unfortunately, Iran saw a complete shift in attitude towards all things musical in the following years. The Revolution shook the country to its core. Production and Distribution of Music and dance were banned, and artistic activities halted. Avin, though, was not one to give up. He practised his craft for years, honing his skills, even if he was unable to show it to the world. He got his formal education from the University of Tehran, with a degree of Bachelor in Arts. The formal education allowed him to explore the various genres of music before settling on Persian Music and specialising in it.
Slowly, the political condition in Iran stabilised, and with it, the prohibitions also eased. When the ban on music somewhat reduced, Avin released one of the first post-revolution albums, “Do Saye”. This was a collaborative effort with the talented songwriter and composer Hamid Panahi. The album had to be more melodic in its composition, with a soft tempo. This was in accordance with the federal regulations set for any and all musical production. Even with the limited creative space, Avin was able to release a true masterpiece, which gained him both national and international acclaim and popularity. This also opened the way for Avin to finally be recognised for his genius and work on future projects of his choice.
“Safar”, Arash Avin’s second album, was released shortly after. This album was more upbeat, a clear shift from Avin’s first album, “Do Saye”, which was due to the growing ease of regulations regarding music production. “Safar” was again a collaborative effort, this time with the acclaimed songwriter, composer, and arranger Behnam Abtahi. At the time the album was released, dancing in public was still forbidden, both socially and legally. This album was almost a rebellion against the strict restrictions while still staying within the legal bounds. The album was a success through and through, receiving an enormous amount of praise and love from the locals. The album scored high on various music charts In Iran, even becoming one of the top albums released that year in Iran.
With fame and success came more opportunities. Arah Avin moved to the USA to further explore his options in music. He settled in Los Angeles, which is famous for its thriving musical community and plenty of opportunities and collaborative grounds. It was in Los Angeles that Avin joined the band Rouge, which rose to become one of the top bands in the city, performing at various popular locations and events. The band explored classical Persian music, mixing it with contemporary music to bring out new tunes and rhythms. The band has been famous for its unique sounds and strong vocals.
He has been working on his third album, a more adventurous sound that explores his creative side. “Khalili Vaghte” is set to be released on the 15th of July, 2022, and will undoubtedly be a great success if his previous albums are anything to go by.
But Arash Avin has not just been working on his albums. He has kept himself busy over the years with numerous projects and collaborations. Avin has worked with some of the best and most famous musicians, composers and songwriters, particularly those of Iranian descent or specialising in Persian music. He has had the opportunity to perform with A-list artists such as Googoosh, Helen, Hamed Behdad, Babak Amini, Sogand, Hamid Panahi, and Schubert Avakian. Googoosh is one of the biggest pop stars in Iran and Avin is one of the few musicians who has had the honour of performing with her on stage.
Avin has also worked on several humanitarian projects over the years. His song “LaaLaaee” was released after the earthquake in Kermanshah, in which many people suffered and were displaced. The music and its video were dedicated to the victims and survivors of the devastating earthquake. “I’M STANDING WITH YOU”, a global collaboration of around 170 musicians from all around the world. The song was written by the world-famous iconic songwriter Diane Warren. It was a sign of support for the United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization. Arash Avin was honoured to represent his country, Iran, in this global project. The song was nominated for an Oscar Award. The song’s arrangement was done by Emmy-nominated TV/Film composer Sharon Farber and directed by award-winning director Gev Miron. The project featured some of the best voices from around the world, among which Arash Avin was one.
Aside from being a singer, Arash is also a dancer who has his primary focus on Persian Sama. Persian Sama is a modern Sufi whirling dance that has become quite popular recently. Avin has danced on several stages and shows. He not only focuses on music and composition but also explores other aspects of art, such as Dance, Painting, etc.
Arash Avin has attended large many gatherings not only for his music but also as a part of his humanitarian efforts, such as fund-raising events. One such event frequented by Arash Avin is that organised by the Farhang Foundation, which is an organisation that aims to support Iranian culture, art, and music.
Avin has also made an appearance in several TV Shows, VOA Noroz show hosted by Max Amini. In January 2017, Arash released a duet with Babak Amini called “To Ro Mikham”. Avin has displayed a lot of potential throughout his career, and with the release of the third album, we hope to see much more from the artist.
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About the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
