Taraneh Archives — Post-Punk.com

A Beatdown in Coney Island — Comet and Taraneh are Two Brutal Darkgaze Brides in their Video for “Bunny”

Alice Teeple — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:59:06 +0000

I like the way your hair falls over your shoulders

But do you like what I’ve done with the place

You think just like me even though I’m much older

Watch the light drain from your face

As we fall from grace

In New York City, Comet emerges as the latest enfant terrible of the nu-grunge/darkgaze scene, transforming her raw, introspective artistry into a full-blown band phenomenon. Her debut EP, Two-Winged, is a tempest of sound—where ethereal whispers escalate into primal screams against a backdrop of relentless guitar riffs and haunting high frequencies that promise to send shivers down your spine and stir the soul.

Taraneh, whose name means “song” in Farsi, perfectly captures the essence of Persian-American artist Taraneh Azar. Operating under this solo moniker, she showcases her prowess as a multi-instrumentalist and producer. With roots in Iran and thriving in New York, her music blends dark elements from various genres. It’s as if rock, pop, and a touch of world music were combined to produce something uniquely compelling. Whether playing guitar, piano, or adjusting settings in the studio, Taraneh Azar is a musical powerhouse, creating rhythms that are both unique and engaging, encouraging everyone to move in harmony with her distinctive beat.

Together, they bring to life the eerie single Bunny, a track that’s bound to send shivers down your spine as it immerses you in the unsettling viewpoint of a prey animal.

Comet’s sharp lyrical prowess unveils the harsh truths of our reality, all viewed through a distinctively female perspective. Bunny is a haunting portrayal of a dark, manipulative encounter, likening the victim to a trapped bunny at the mercy of a domineering predator. The song delves into themes of grooming, perilous power imbalances, and malicious intent, laying bare the complexities of such interactions. The refrain “Just like you wanted” echoes a distorted notion of consent or the imposition of one’s desires onto another, leading to a disturbing climax of control and inevitable collapse.

In a piece orchestrated by New York artist Nat Cherry, the video unfurls as a tableau steeped in grunge aesthetics. It stars Comet, clad in a bridal gown, her countenance etched with melancholy, as she navigates the expanse of the Williamsburg Bridge, shadowed by an uncanny presence in a bunny suit. Taraneh materializes in a similar bridal attire, yet her demeanor suggests a transformation into an entity of self-possession and empowerment. Their journey culminates at Coney Island, leaving the audience to ponder the nature of the denouement—does joy or despair await?

Not since the 1995 film Mallrats has the Easter Bunny taken such a beating, and it feels like just as long since a song this gritty and dark was released.

Watch the video for “Bunny” below:

Comet recently released her debut EP Two-Winged this past fall along with two singles Dirty (featuring Lucy Loone), and One.” Comet Candler takes the lead on vocals and guitars for the project, with Sam Klein and Lea Jaffe adding depth on guitars. The rhythm section is anchored by Grant Lepping on bass and Kevin Jacobsen on drums. The production of the work is a collaborative effort between Comet Candler and Grant Lepping, with engineering handled by Grant Lepping alongside Bailey Kislak. Grant Lepping also took the helm in mixing the tracks. The recording took place at Flux Studios in NYC, with the final mastering touch provided by Justin Termotto.

Order the EP here

Two-Winged EP by Comet

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The post A Beatdown in Coney Island — Comet and Taraneh are Two Brutal Darkgaze Brides in their Video for “Bunny” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

NYC Darkwave Artist Taraneh Channels the Mystique of Rumi in Her Video for “Prophet”

Alice Teeple — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 22:25:52 +0000

The prophet is transmitting through the feed
The leader is disguised in symmetry
I’ll meet you in that neutral promised field
We’re going to dissolve the boundary

Persian-American virtuoso Taraneh Azar exemplifies a cultural richness and diversity that mirrors her musical creations. Her name, capturing the essence of melody in Farsi, reflects the wide array of influences she brings to her performances. Her musical foundations, deeply rooted in Iran’s ancient heritage, merge with the dynamic beats of New York City, where her distinct sound emerges.

Her latest single, Prophet, is the first of three off of the forthcoming record, New Age Prayer. This full-length debut album, executive produced by Kris Esfandiari (King Woman), is set to drop on the date of April 20…an auspicious time selected by dream pop luminary artist and astrologer Tamaryn. The song itself channels the work of Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet, and Sufi mystic celebrated for his profound spiritual poetry that explores the nature of love, the human soul, and the divine. His works, including Masnavi, continue to inspire and resonate across cultures with their timeless wisdom and universal themes.

The lyrics to Prophet delve into the metaphorical journey of seeking divine guidance amidst the digital age, drawing parallels with the Islamic pursuit of closeness to Allah and discerning His signs in all facets of life, including the digital sphere. They portray a prophet as both an online image and a mental conduit, illustrating the timeless nature of prophetic insights in navigating believers through contemporary modes of communication while preserving their spiritual core.

Themes of self-examination, breaking barriers, and the focus on recollection resonate with Islamic principles of introspection, knowledge-seeking, and the significance of cherishing and pondering over personal experiences and God’s signs in the cosmos. Prophet is about of spiritual exploration and contemplation within a technologically connected world, mirroring Islamic ideals of an unending quest for divine wisdom and comprehension. However, the question arises: how does this path align with the role of the modern woman?

The visual accompaniment, a brainchild of Oliver Pearson—a videographer with roots firmly planted in New York’s creative soil—plunges viewers into a transgressive tableau of glam rock. Yet, it’s the jarring juxtaposition of a niqab with lingerie that truly ignites debate, a bold stroke that lays bare the artist’s nuanced interrogation of both religious iconography and the undercurrents of counterculture. In this jarring video, the artist, a Muslim of Iranian descent, crafts a feminist statement that is both provocative and profound.

Such artistic choices can spark discussions around freedom of expression, cultural appropriation, and the boundaries of artistic exploration in the context of deeply held beliefs and traditions. The controversy often centers on the interpretation of these symbols and their decontextualization. In this case, Taraneh breaks down those walls with a killer backbeat.

Watch the video for “Prophet” below:

Taraneh’s work is a genre-defying journey, a mysterious blend of sounds that teeters between light and shadow. Picture a mix crafted in the quiet of night – the gritty essence of rock, the catchy tunes of pop, and the profound depth of world music – all combined into an unexpected fusion. Her music invites movement, thought, and emotional ascent.

Armed with a diverse set of instruments, from the heartfelt plucking of her guitar to the gentle play on piano keys, and her skillful production techniques, Taraneh stands as an independent force in the music scene. She is reshaping musical expression, with each note unfolding a new chapter of a story yet to be told.

Prophet by Taraneh

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Grunge, Deathrock, and Shoegaze Collide in NYC Artist Taraneh’s Video for “Face Of Fear”

Alice Teeple — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 04:43:18 +0000

White eyes pale skin I know you’re my dead end
Sharp teeth black hair show me it’s only up from here
Disguise don’t lean in watch me vanish in the face of fear

Taraneh – which, fittingly, means “song” in Farsi – stands out as a unique thread. It’s the solo moniker of Persian-American artist Taraneh Azar, a multi-instrumentalist and producer. With her roots in Iran and her branches reaching out from the tree of the Big Apple, Taraneh’s music is a dark multi-genre extravaganza. It’s like she threw rock, pop, and a dash of world music into a blender and out came something you can’t help but nod your head to. Whether she’s strumming a guitar, tickling the ivories, or twisting the knobs in the studio, Taraneh is a one-woman musical army, marching to the beat of her own drum – sometimes literally.

In an era where sticking to one musical lane is the norm, Taraneh shatters expectations. Her latest single, Face of Fear, is a battle cry for change, practically shouting at the universe: “You’ll give me what I want this time.” Imagine a world where grunge, no wave, and shoegaze intersect with modern deathrock – think of the rock section at Tower Records between 1988 and 1991. From this chaos comes Tareneh’s dark, alluring, and enigmatic alternative rock sound. She doesn’t just cross genre boundaries; she obliterates them, leaving behind a trail of soul-stirring music.

“Face of Fear” is a deep dive into a pool of intense longing, identity crises, and a vibe that’s one part mystical, two parts enigmatic in this narrative of transformation, sprinkled with a bit of the otherworldly. Dark? Sure, but the kind of darkness is intriguing, like a mystery novel you can’t put down. Taraneh spins a story of desperate yearning, the kind that comes with the tricky business of human connections. It’s a soundtrack for those moments when you’re figuring out life, one guitar riff at a time.

Face of Fear‘s music video, directed by New York-based Nat Cherry, is a dazzling blend of lo-fi charm and glam rock attitude. Cherry captures the essence of a high-energy live band performance, infusing it with a transgressive, vibrant flair that’s as bold and unconventional as glam rock itself. The video’s gritty, retro VHS aesthetic adds an extra layer of nostalgia, creating a captivating visual experience that complements Taraneh’s dynamic musical style.

Watch the video for “Face of Fear” below:

Find the single “Face of Fear” on Bandcamp here, and stay tuned for more from Taraneh.

Face of Fear by Taraneh