First I'll start with my rants though:
The venue was The Cutting Room, located in Midtown east. A hipsy/gipsy/state-of-the-art bar and lounge with an equally beautiful backroom for private performances. The set up is very uncomfortable, they have tables surrounding the stage, which is fine except when THEY SELL YOU TICKETS FOR STANDING ROOM AND MAKE YOU WAIT UNTIL THE ARTISTS ARE COMING ON STAGE TO LET YOU IN, LIKE SOME KIND OF SECOND-CLASS CITIZEN ...WTF!! I've never been treated so awfully, I was a paying costumer just like everyone else and didn't want to sit my ass down in a tiny table where I wouldn't even be able to get up and dance, that's right, DANCE because it's a tiny place. Cutting Room: if you are going to offer standing room tickets to patrons, at least have the decency of providing them with a decent spot and a decent entrance, because the difference between getting a table and standing was less than ten bucks.
In conclusion: Beautiful place, pricey drinks( yep, get ready to spend average $10 for an alcoholic drink) friendly staff, (except for the nasty man guarding the doors like a rottweiler) and awful management of the place, clearly.
Hopefully, next time NIYAZ is in NY, they won't perform at the cutting room. Whatevz. After getting a glass of Malbec at the bar (inspired by the antique/ musical style of the bar) and waiting on line to get in, I met two woderful peoplw, world music lovers too, who were also on their own for the same reasons I was. We quickly started a conversation about Niyaz obviously and what we were about to experience. It's so wonderful to meet people who are on the same vibe as us, it makes one feel a little less lonely because one realizes that there are people out there just like you. They are tough to find but they are out there.
We decided to stand and watch the concert together, a short playlist If I may say so but still SO worth it. Niyaz played for a little over an hour. They played songs from their new album, Sumud, and some popular ones from previous albums, aka- the ones that happened to be my favorites too- aka Beni Beni/ Dilruba. When Beni Beni started playing, my hips started moving, my hands started twirling and my arms moved like a sound wave in the air. Listening to Niyaz puts you in the clouds. With their electronic melodies and celestially inspired lyrics, their persian sounds, you can get high from their music.
Azam Ali's voice, the lead singer, is so beautiful and unique. When I listen to her strangely, I think of Whirling Dervishes because letting her voice ring through your self kind of puts you into a meditating-while-dancing mood. It could also be that their music and lyrics are partially inspired by Sufi mysticism and literature. Dressed in dark rapes and adorned with unusually shaped jewelry, and her long, black vurly hair. I had the chance to meet her after the concert and she was so sweet and natural; it is wonderful to meet someone you admire or respect and learn they are just as you secretly expected. Actually her and her husband Loga Ramin Torkian (also an original member of Niyaz and a Guitarviol, Tar, and Saz player) are both so sweet!
Carmen Rizzo is a world-renowned DJ/producer/programmer/remixer/badass. He is so freaking talented and wise and amazing. And hot for his age. The first time I heard his work was through his collaboration with Huun Huur Tu's "Tuvan Prayer" album until I realized he was one of the creators of Niyaz. Surreal. That's the word I would use to describe his sounds. He fusions the modern with the ancient, looks for those sounds in the world that are yet to be heard and brings them to you in a mystical dance beat.
You can only understand what I've described in the previous paragraphs if you REALLY let yourself listen and travel with them.
“Through art, we have the ability to communicate with one another on a much higher level, but this level of communication can only take place when an artist has a very honest and clear intent. The audience is no fool. Anything less than this complete surrender on the part of an artist will not make this connection possible. And music because of its intangible nature is the most esoteric of the arts, so it has the capability to tear down all mental and emotional barriers. If I decide as a singer to reach this central point, I have to first be convinced of what I am singing about myself. Otherwise I am just singing a melody which will float by like a beautiful cloud that leaves no long lasting impression. The human voice has tremendous potential. It is not just a conduit for words. It has the ability to make all things transparent through its power of transformation. For me it is like an abstract dream in which everything makes perfect sense. A dream from which one can awaken from and be left with a profoundly deep impression of something indescribable"- Azam Ali
What wikipedia says about Niyaz: Niyaz's music, described as "mystical music with a modern edge",[3] is primarily a blend of Sufi mysticism and trance electronica.[4] Niyaz adapts Persian, Indian and Mediterranean folk sounds, poetry and songs including the poetry of Sufi mystic Rumi, with Western electronic instrumentation and programming.[5]
Suffice to say I had an amazing time meeting new people, listening to Niyaz and hanging out with them and their multi-talented friends afterwards, they even bought us a rounds of drinks, how cool is that for a date with yourself?
enjoy in peace folks,
FM
