Iranian rockers find their voice

They once feared criticizing Ahmadinejad, but events in Tehran have emboldened US-based rock group Hypernova.

By Freya Petersen
Published: June 18, 2009 16:54 ET
Updated: June 28, 2009 08:48 ET
Page 2 of 3

Once in the U.S., Hypernova quickly found traction and have since toured nationally, supporting such major international acts as Sisters of Mercy, and have headlined at the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.

Raam writes songs in English as opposed to Farsi, which he considers a "poetic and harmonious language" but not one well suited to the harsh, energetic rock sound. The themes of his songs mostly stay off the topic of politics, but touch on world events.

Raam and his Iranian band mates Kodi, Jam, Kami and Poya, ranging in age from 19 to 28, go by derivations of their first names but avoid using their last names to ensure their families do not receive undue attention at home.

Hypernova recently recorded their first album and have a major following — not only among the huge Iranian diaspora in the U.S. but among mainstream indie music fans.

With their growing success, Raam now feels confident in using the band's profile to promote the causes of democracy and freedom in his home country.

"I've actively been helping other kids in the underground, trying to get their visas, trying to get them into festivals," he said. "I got a CNN interview for one (band) on Inside the Middle East. I try to help as many kids as I can because I feel like we owe it to them. We even gave our CD away in Iran for free — because I know there's no way for them to find it online or buy it.”

Raam attended schools in the U.S. — thanks to a relatively privileged upbringing — but spent many of his formative years in Iran. Like so many of his compatriots, he derives inspiration from Iran’s rich history and culture and hopes one day to return, but sees a need to achieve overseas success in order to bring much-needed change at home.

"We've so far avoided the Iranian press because we don't want to be politicized in the Iranian context,” Raam said. “What we represent is a much more universal and global thing. Our music has had this ability to transcend all these barriers.

"I still want to go back home, but I think it's very important for us to become so established and so important and so successful so that when I do go back home ... I'll be literally untouchable. I'll be so famous that, they can do their worst — throw me in jail or whatever — I'll be on the cover of Time magazine.

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Posted by qglenda on June 22, 2009 11:31 ET

Great story ... loved the video! I will definitely follow this band ... I wish Hypernova all the success in the world!!

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