B-band formed in Tehran, Iran in 2009, combining alt-rock with Persian folklore. Dr. Nasim Niknafs, Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Toronto, points out in an interview with Ethnotes that "when you transliterate this name into Farsi, it has another meaning, which translates roughly to 'without any boundaries.' In addition, B-Band is the name of a guitar pickup company. One name, many layers!"
As a result of the post-revolutionary government restrictions on rock music, they clearly declare themselves as "an independent Iranian music band", that is "not affiliated with any ethnic, political, or religious organization." Band members have since relocated to different parts of the world, but they continue to collaborate long-distance, creating and releasing their music online. Their most recent release was last year's LP Avarez Janebi, and they're already back in the studios finishing up the next album to be released later this year.
Today's featured track is a cover of the '70s-era single “Kavire Del” by Marjan, which itself was a cover of a French/Turkish song performed by Ajda Pekkan. Listen below.
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