PERSIAN STARR

I perform under the stage name Persian Starr, why I use the name Persian Starr is because a Star is a light in the void, a classic gothic contrast: light surrounded by infinite darkness. This duality is deeply gothic. Starr becomes gothic when it is used as a symbol of light in darkness which is cosmic mysticism and the mythos that surrounds it.

"Starr" is a classic name that originated as an occupational or descriptive nickname. Rooted in the Old English word "Steorra" and evolving through the Middle English "Starre", the celestial moniker was historically given to individuals with radiant, shining personalities or those who naturally stood out in a crowd. In modern contexts, using the double "r" spelling (Starr) is predominantly tied to names for personas with a high degree of artistic expression, creativity & sensuality.

My work lives at the intersection of traditional Persian music and contemporary sonic explorations, where sensual Persian classical motifs collide with modern textures, forms and sounds.

At the center of my sound is a custom built Persian Electric-Acoustic lute I use, a hybrid born from the Tar, Setar, Oud (barbat), and Tanbur. It gives me a fluid range, letting me move from delicate microtonal phrasing to deep, resonant drones, heavy distortion and electrified atmospheres.

With this instrument, I can create a wall of sound and shift easily between Mystical Sufi music, Persian Electronica, Dark Ambient, and Goth-infused Funeral Doom soundscapes, shaping a musical world that feels both ancient and modern, eastern and western, light and dark all at the same time!

On this page I have collected various music explorations of mine as well as other information which I find useful in my day to day life. This website is not intended as an artist promotion website but rather more like an old school gothic blog and area where I keep and post things I like, hope you enjoy!

Step into the enchanting realm of Persian Gothic music (Melancholy, Funeral Doom, Darkwave, Goth Synth) Sufi art & culture, where ancient traditions, mysticism & mystique meet modern darkness and mystery. Uncover a new era & genres of music that will leave you spellbound!

GOTHS

Put simply, a Goth is someone who finds beauty in things others consider dark. They love all that is dark and mysterious. That doesn't mean Goths are evil, it just means they have a different perspective to many. And it also doesn't mean Goths are unkind, violent or lacking in humor, in fact quite the opposite is true. Goths love to laugh but their humor is more of a dark sense of humour sort. They aren't sad because they like dark things - dark things make them happy and inspire them. Goths are often intelligent, romantic, peaceful, tolerant, open-minded and artistic realists.

Too often, Goths are mistaken for morbid, creepy, and harshly dark. Admittedly, some styles of Goth can be classed as aesthetically outward and dark. In fact contrary to public belief Goth has no color, but there is a softer side to Goth - and that is the Romantic Goth. Romantic Goths bring out the emotional, sensual side in the Goth culture. They dont always dress in black or wear heavy makeup, as society seems to think of all Goths. They are creative and intelligent, as well as serene and yes, romantic.

The Romanticism emphasizes intense emotions as an authentic source of aesthetic experience, placing new transcendental emphasis on experiencing sublime beauty and emotions within art and seeing beauty even in darkness.

Gothic culture as a whole is considered a very sacred art form and state of being, the realm of darkness and death is one where many transformations can occur, death and rebirth, mourning, grief, lamentations & healing, the realm of the undead and the underworld are all very important sacred concepts with deep philosophical meanings and connotations & essential parts of human emotions, life and the human experience.

PERSIAN MELANCHOLY

PERSIAN FUNERAL DOOM

LIVE SHOWS

PERSIAN DARKWAVE

PERSIAN GOTH ROCK

This journey began a long time ago when I used to electrify my instrument by using paste on pickups for SOM'MA and DUBISTAN gigs, eventually I had a custom instrument built for me which had embedded pickups and I used this with electric guitar effects which is one of the first attempts to do so to a Persian instrument. Further experimentations were done when I decided I would like to make Middle Eastern gothic art & music. This journey has continued till this day and I have put my efforts here on this page.

Also below I am posting more goth rock experimentations with a great band I had back in the bay area called QALANDARIYUN. Featuring myself on Electric Tanbur & Electric Dotar Jason Hoopes (The Atomic Bomb Audition/Jack O' The Clock) - Electric Bass Peijman Masketchian (Secret Chiefs 3/Omens of Awe) - Drum Set.