Niyaz: A Show Review

Band website: http://www.niyazmusic.com/

Niyaz means "Yearning" in both Farsi and Urdu.

Yesterday, my university had the honor of having Niyaz perform on our campus. While they have a small following, they are definitely not given the attention they ought to have based on their vast talent and depth. Niyaz is a band with members from different cultural and religious backgrounds-though four of the five members are from Middle Eastern and Indian ancestry. There was also one white guy, who rocked a guitar every so often but who was more instrumental in djing/working the reverb and sound effects. There's not really a proper way I can describe the feeling that swept through me as I gazed at majestic Azam. Her hips swayed to the music as her vocals trilled and abated, as she sung what she later referred to as "Middle eastern folk songs with a modern twist."

Originally born in Iran, she moved to India at a young age and was at first ashamed of her cultural roots what with the extremely negative connotations people had of Iraq during that time (though things have only gotten worse). But as she grew, she embraced her heritage and culture instead of fleeing from it-and in doing so, the music freed her and was a therapeutic balm for her soul. This is what I gleaned from the very intimate Q & A that the members of the band were kind enough to partake in. Each member seemed so genuine and beautiful, and I appreciate how Azam emphasized each member's inner beauty when introducing them. There was no need for her to praise their musical abilities because we had already heard and been entranced.

While Azam's voice and intensity alone is enough to bedazzle, the other band members all showcased their individual abilities artfully and without a flicker of self-aggrandizement. On the contrary, their demeanor was respectful and humble, and when another member was soloing they all conveyed an attitude of reverence and tactful appreciation, never distracting. To explain the sound in a nutshell would be doing a disservice to the band, but they transcend the genre of world music, offering a non-generic soulful sound that is relaxing yet captivating. I was reminded of the sound of certain trip-hop artists, like Moloko, but live Azam's voice is really something else. I have to stress the importance of seeing this band perform live, if you ever have the chance. It is almost like a very stripped down Andy Warhol experience; as smoke encircled Azam sweeping past the tendrils of her long fairytale hair, she exuded an inexpressibly beautiful gypsy-like charm.

She was coy but conservative, stunning but shy. The instruments themselves were all very fascinating; I wish I could remember the names but they were in other languages. There was one instrument that Azam's husband designed himself; a variation on a theme of another instrument that resembled a guitar...slash cello.

Niyaz's website features three band members but I believe there are actually five members; one drummer, her husband Loya (who played two instruments), Azam, another played urdu and the guitarist.

Visit their website and get a taste of what I had the privilege to experience. And please support their music by purchasing a CD if you're captivated by what you hear.
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Other blog news:
*I have been extremely busy with school as of late but today is a snow day! And I also want to devote more time to this blog as I do enjoy writing here
*I have decided that my life dream is to be an ethnomusicologist. More on that later.
*Expect more show reviews in the near future: I will be seeing Tally Hall, Joanna Newsom, The Flaming Lips, and Casiotone for the Painfully Alone all within the next few months!
*Thank you to all who follow this. I truly appreciate it.