Payman Abdali

New book released

Friday - December 8, 2023
8:00 pm
Galerie ZeitZone
bERLIN - gERMANY

Payman Abdali Plays the “Music for Black Sine Wave”.

@postorientalismmusic @paymanab @xdot25

Improvised & Experimental music at the Galerie ZeitZone in Berlin, This performance marks the digital release of his album 'Music for Black Sine Wave' which is based on another album with the same title (Solo-bass, Xenharmonic) by 'Ehsan Saboohi', the Composer and Music theorist from Iran.

This performance is among the series that are considered for his album release, first event was performed on December 7th, Zwitschermachine in Berlin.
https://paymanabdali.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-black-sine-wave

Donation or support for the album release is much appreciated, no matter if you pick a drink or one of the first demo editions on tapes.

Time: Friday, December 8, 2023, 8:00 PM

Address:
Galerie ZeitZone
Adalbertstr. 79,
10997 Berlin.

New Release

Payman Abdali Biography

Payman Abdali is a synthesist who has created an astonishing Persian soundscape in his music. His debut instrumental album, “Angel of Thoughts” is a powerful sonic story that will take you to distant Persia. Payman moved to the U.S. in 1983 and started writing music on synthesizers and computers, honing his personal musical vision. In his music he paints a picture of a land and culture torn between the ancient and the modern, and shares with his listeners his gift of harmony and rhythm.

At the ripe old age of seven, I was nearly blown away by gusty winds born over The Gulf that sweep over the city of Khoram-shahr, in the southern region of the Iranian plateau. I spent my early childhood in this port city by the turquoise blue waters of the Persian Gulf, stretching all the way to the horizon. My imaginations took flight; I soared in "Ether," I felt free as a bird. I wanted to create a spaceship to take me there, where my thoughts found no boundaries. On my eighth birthday, my father gave me a chemistry set, that tantalized me beyond description. My enthusiasm overflowed; now I was a scientist. Really and truly I was immersed in the process of finding the "Ether," the substance that had eluded discovery for ages.

At the age  of eleven, I embarked upon learning mathematics and logarithm, and their interrelationship with everyday life and its manifestations. I was curious, driven to learn and relate the numbers to the many fields and practices around me. My dreams were taking shape, I was more methodical, music entered my life, or shall we say I was given to music. My thoughts took flight, I conducted my first orchestra in my dreams; to my own total astonishment and amazement. Music had impacted my life with a bang that I would hear the reverberations for many years to come.

In 1978 the destiny took a U-turn; I was sent to England to pursue my education. I had entered a time warp; I was propelled into an unknown culture far away from my home and friends. I missed those tropical winds that were born over the gulf and swept over the city of my birth. The differences were incalculable, and I was an impressionable young man in search of his future. Indeed I had stepped into the domain of the Western World, all unprepared and ready to learn. I never stopped dreaming, unswervingly and without hesitation I proceeded with my new life and all its nuances. Upon my return home, in times of turbulence and cultural revolution I found solace in working with an old friend KEYVAN TAGHI-POUR, and formed our first underground band, called "The Human Beast." We dreamed and played, and played and dreamed endlessly.

In early 1983 I traveled to the United States to continue my education and follow my dreams. That is precisely what went on, where I bought my first synthesizer, a Sequential SixTrack with on board Sequencer. I started sequencing in early 1985, where the dreams became more pronounced, and the results were more tangible both in dreams and reality. In late 1988 as fate crossed our paths, I met one Max Ahmadi and few months later was invited to one of his parties in Emeryville, California and found out his passion about Electronic Music (he even owned a Prophet 5 Synthesizer by Sequential Circuits). Consequently a year later I again met him at a live concert in San Francisco produced by Peyman Rad (now X DOT 25 Music General Counsel) who asked me to manage the spotlight in the concert. Later that night I stayed at Max’s house and presented my original electronic music creations and there we decided to work on releasing my music. Our cooperative efforts resulted in the birth of X DOT 25 Music and the concept of Third Millennium Music.

Black Sine Wave

The album that you are listening to right now is the outcome of thoughts by Payman Abdali, as the Electronic music artist.

In these pieces, Abdali attains a new structure and view of the methods of use, and the placement of intervals in the modal structures. You, as the audience, are not going to hear “type melodies” of Radif, or ever repeating performances from different Dastgaahs of Persian traditional music through the pieces. Sound blocks are not limiting themselves into the limited circles that were suggested by many music theorists throughout history, including Farabi, Abdul-Ghader Maraghi and Safi-al Din Urmawi, also not to involve and barr the theoretical foundations of Iranian music Dastgaahs. The sound blocks in the music by ‘Abdali’ are consciously free from the traditional predefined structure of Dastgaah music, namely “Šur”, “Segaah”, “Homayoun',' etc.
By analyzing his methodology, we may be able to call the work of “Payman Abdali” an Electronic Post-Orientalism.

Moments and situations in which ‘Microtonal’ intervals are - similar to how a composer from Western countries may look toward - are smaller than quarter-tones. The point is about how these intervals are not going to construct the “discontinuity and domination of Dastgaahs”, or in other words, they are not going to turn into sacred big tonal intervals.

These intervals are neither considered as micro or macro in the view point of Post-Orientalism music, and they are not unalterable. They are just Post-Orientalism intervals.

In this album, Payman Abdali has constructed a narrative structure and form. In his works, sound blocks transform from sound into photos, and images that represent signs from the life and identity of the composer.

https://paymanabdali.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-black-sine-wave

Audible Visions

Payman has been fascinated by the give and take between different types of arts.  Music for him is not only what you hear but what pictures it creates in your mind.  There are many genres of music that do not dictate what you feel or understand from music, they just flow inside your mind and create colors, shaped and shapeless visions. There are visions with sound, thus "Audible Visions".

The sequel to “Angel of Thoughts” soon to be released Worldwide, distributed by The Orchard / Sony Music Group.

Conceived, Composed, Arranged, Performed, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by: Payman Abdali
Bass on Track 3: Mohammad Baie
Cover Concept: Max Ahmadi

1.  Star Gazer  4:31
2.  By the Ocean  3:42
3.  Climbing the Atmosphere 2:39
4.  Tbilisi Three  4:41
5.  Escape  2:34
6.  Last Dance  1:47
7.  Glass Window  5:00
8.  Creation  10:50
9.  Limbo  4:25
10.  Her Eyes 1350  3:13
11.  Stairway  3:03
12.  Loneliness  3:26
13. The Cinema  4:07
14.  A Genius by the Seashore 3:40
15. The Third Situation  1:32
16. Dante’s Nightmare  5:40

Total Time: 64:50

Item #1035

Album Details:

Angel of Thoughts (Freshteh-e Afkaar) (Persian Art Music)

Artist: Payman Abdali
Style/Genre: New Age /World /Ambient
Instrumentation: Voices, Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Tombak.

Payman Abdali is a synthesist who has created a Persian soundscape in his album, "Angel of Thoughts". This instrumental album is a powerful sonic story that will take you to distant Persia. Payman moved to the U.S. in 1983 and started writing music on synthesizers and computers, honing his personal musical vision. Here he paints a picture of a land and culture torn between the ancient and the modern, and shares with his listeners his gift of harmony and rhythm. This album is another "Persian Art Music" collection.

Tracks:

1. Continuum Parts I, II, III (10:15)
2. Pegah (2:22)
3. The Smiths (5:00)
4. The Agony (6:38)
5. Counting Sheep / Eastern Sun (6:35)
6. Just a Dream (7:44)
7. Overdose (7:20)
8. The Thief (7:32)
9. Angel Of Thoughts / Pooneh (8:23)

Total Time: 62:22

Item # CD 501-2 & CA 501-4

Payman Abdali's music is richly romantic, a sonic story teller of epic proportions who will haunt you with an emotionally charged journey into distant Persian music via modern and traditional electric and acoustic instruments.

Synthesizers: Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Sequential Circuits Prophet 610 (SixTrack), Emulator II, Oberhim Matrix 1000, Oberhim DSP Sampler, Korg M1, Korg 03/Wr, Korg Wave Station, Ensoniq EPS 16+ Turbo Sampler, Kawai K4r, Roland S550 Sampler, Roland U220, Roland R8M, Roland GR1 Guitar Synthesizer, Yamaha TG33

At the ripe old age of seven, I was nearly blown away by gusty winds born over The Gulf that sweep over the city of Khoram-shahr, in the southern region of the Iranian plateau. I spent my early childhood in this port city by the turquoise blue waters of the gulf, stretching all the way to the horizon. My imaginations took flight; I soared in "Ether," I felt free as a bird. I wanted to create a spaceship to take me there, where my thoughts found no boundaries. On my eighth birthday, my father gave me a chemistry set, that tantalized me beyond description. My enthusiasm overflowed; now I was a scientist. Really and truly I was immersed in the process of finding the "Ether," the substance that had eluded discovery for ages. At the age of eleven, I embarked upon learning mathematics and logarithm, and their interrelationship with everyday life and its manifestations. I was curious, driven to learn and relate the numbers to the many fields and practices around me. My dreams were taking shape, I was more methodical, music entered my life, or shall we say I was given to music. My thoughts took flight, I conducted my first orchestra in my dreams; to my own total astonishment and amazement. Music had impacted my life with a bang that I would hear the reverberations for many years to come. In 1978 the destiny took a U-turn; I was sent to England to pursue my education. I had entered a time warp; I was propelled into an unknown culture far away from my home and friends. I missed those tropical winds that were born over the gulf and swept over the city of my birth. The differences were incalculable, and I was an impressionable young man in search of his future. Indeed I had stepped into the domain of the Western World, all unprepared and ready to learn. I never stopped dreaming, unswervingly and without hesitation I proceeded with my new life and all its nuances. Upon my return home, in times of turbulence and cultural revolution I found solace in working with an old friend KEYVAN TAGHI-POUR, and formed our first underground band, called "The Human Beast." We dreamed and played, and played and dreamed endlessly. In early 1983 I traveled to the United States to continue my education and follow my dreams. That is precisely what went on, where I bought my first synthesizer, a Sequential SixTrack with on board sequencer. I started sequencing in early 1985, where the dreams became more pronounced, and the results were more tangible both in dreams and reality. In late 1988 as fate crossed our paths, I met one Max Ahmadi and few months later was invited to one of his parties in Emeryville, California and found out his passion about Electronic Music (he even owned a Prophet 5 Synthesizer by Sequential Circuits). Consequently a year later I again met him at a live concert in San Francisco produced by Peyman Rad (now X DOT 25 Music General Counsel) who asked me to manage the spotlight in the concert. Later that night I stayed at Max’s house and presented my original electronic music creations and there we decided to work on releasing my music. Our cooperative efforts resulted in the birth of X DOT 25 Music and the concept of Third Millennium Music.

I began composing in 1989, and dreams came to fruition through my synthesizers. The album you are holding in your hand is the culmination of a long journey through time and the realization of many dreams. May this music harmonize with your dreams as it has with mine. Who knows, maybe you and I have had the same dream sometime and may have been the same person in the "Ether."

.. PAYMAN ABDALI

The other night in a mood of tranquility and utter exhaustion, I was reflecting back on the days' events with a modicum of satisfaction and inner peace. A jumble of thoughts began marching across my mind in their usual inharmonious fashion. I was too tired to whip them into shape, or to demand an organization or priority. Just like any spectator, I was screening selected episodes of my life in living color with no particular order. Perhaps I had been working too hard to produce an album for an old friend and an admirable musician. I have known him a long time, as his music has evolved through these many years. Music is his dream, refuge, and companion, without equivocation. I presume that if his life were to be divided into its main constituents, music would take the bigger half. He is dedicated, progressive, unique, talented, with a god given gift for harmony and rhythm. In this album he bares his soul, and shares with you listeners, the essence of his dreams as he so aptly has called "Angel of Thoughts."

This is a journey through time, cultures, evolutions, revolutions, fears, and joys that a young man with all his aspirations and inspirations is reciting with no uncertain melody. ...

Max

CREDITS:

PRODUCED BY ALDOUSH ALPANIAN
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: X DOT 25 Music

ALL MUSIC COMPOSED AND ARRANGED BY PAYMAN ABDALI
Additional Arrangements by Aldoush Alpanian

Keyboards and Computer Programming: Payman Abdali
Guitars, Morteza and Vocals: Aldoush Alpanian
Children's Laughs: Nava and Nahal Noori
Voices in Thief recorded at Tehran Studios: Nasser Azizi
Tombak: Hooshmand Saki
Photography: Lida Dormishian
Pre-Production: X DOT 25 Studios in Tehran, Iran and Emeryville, California
Digitally Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Digisonic Studios Berkeley, California
Recording, Mixing and Mastering Engineer: Victor Owens
Cover Design: Max Ahmadi

Special thanks to Saeed Emdadi.

LYRICS & INTERPRETATIONS:

"All one together, as one forever."

1. Continuum: You plant a seed and you watch it grow. Some seeds were planted thousands of years ago and the plant grows through centuries; through wars, through invasions, happiness and sorrow. The superior plants continue without a stop. Continuum!

2. Pegah: Pegah means the dawn; clear your mind and breathe the morning breeze.

3. The Smiths (Ahangar): According to ' Shah - Nameh ' ( The King of Books ), by Ferdosi ( the reviver of Parsi Language, 1000 years ago ), Zahaak, a king of bad blood, ruled in darkness for one thousand years. Cursed by the " Ahriman " (the Devil), snakes began to grow out of his shoulders. They harassed the king until they were daily fed the brains of two young Persian men. Gradually two cooks found their way to the king's kitchen and freed one man a day, substituting a sheep's brain for his. When the number of men thus freed reached two hundred, they escaped to the mountains and became the Kurds. There was an Ahangar (swordsmith) named Kaveh, who had lost eleven of his twelve sons to Zahak. He led a revolt against the dark king, to bring in the true king of pure blood, Ferydoon Shah.

4. The Agony: Zamaan زمان (Time), Zendegi زندگی (Life), Bashariaat بشریت (Humanity), Sabr صبر (Patience), Taarikh تاریخ (History), Tabiaat طبیعت (Nature), Sherشعر (Poetry), Khandeh خنده (Laughter), Erfan عرفان (Spirituality), Geryeh گریه (Cry), Honaar هنر (Art), Vafadari وفاداری (Fidelity), Mousighi موسیقی (Music), Doshmani دشمنی (Animosity), Khiyannat خیانت (Betrayal), Dousti دوستی (Friendship), Khanevadeh خانواده (Family), Hoshyari هوشیاری (Alertness), Hayvanaat حیوانات (Animals), Parvaaz پرواز (Flying), Mohabbat محبت (Caring), Soghoot سقوط (Fall), Mohabbat محبت (Caring ), Piroozi پیروزی (Victory), Tavalod تولد (Birth), Eshgh عشق (Love), Marg مرگ (Death), Tanafour تنفر (Hate), Kodam Zaman کدام زمان ? (When?), Shekast! شکست (Defeat!), Kodam Zaman کدام زمان ? (When?), Shekast شکست ? (Defeat?) , Bia baa man be shahre royaahaa va ba khodat ashena sho. بیا با من به شهررویاها وباخودت آشنا شو (Come with me to the land of dreams and get to know yourself.), Amma اما ! (But!), Amma اما ! (But!), Amma اما ! (But!) ....... But the Dream Land is agonized!!

5. Counting Sheep: Sheep-like minds metamorphose into free thinking humans. "All one together, as one forever."

5.5 Eastern Sun: The sun is in the East, but the challenge is yet to be faced.

6. Just a Dream: All that I am. All that I feel. All that I have seen. All to be faced. Life in the real train. History in the real train. Grace and sorrow, yesterday and tomorrow. Pass by the train.

7. Overdose: Witness the herd following the wolf. The Overdose Stage.

8. Thief:
X: "Why don't you sleep? ..... I asked you why don't you sleep?'
Y :"I don't know. .... I cannot sleep."
X: "Can't you sleep?"
Y: "No."
X: "Why?"
Y: "I don't know. I am thinking."
X: "About what?"
Y: "About the sheep."
X: "The sheep?!"
Y: "Yes. ..... You know better than that."
X: "What do you mean by that ?"
Y: "You know what I mean by that. And you know it well "
X: "I don't understand it clearly. Be clear."
Y: "The sheep that you associate with."
X: "I don't understand a thing."
Y: "Huh! You know it .... you know it really well."
X: "Me?!"
Y: "Yes"
X: "I associate with them?!"
Y: "Yes, you associate with them!"
Z: "HEY GUYS, GET BACK TO SLEEP. DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? "
Y: "Leave us alone. You don't know anything."

9. Angel of Thoughts: The angel of thoughts is the lonely one in the deepest valleys of the Motherland (Zagross Mountains in the Bakhtiari region). In the swamps of the Motherland (Gilan).

9.5 Pooneh: The flower. Grows in the Alborz Range, after rain.