Rastak Ensemble

Rastak Music Group is an Iranian contemporary folk music ensemble that was formed as an experimental music group in 1997. Rastak seeks to collect, record and interpret Iranian, Kurdish, Baloch and Turkmen folk music among others for a global audience.

About Rastak
Rastak incorporates Persian language, Iranian culture and history as well as merging traditional instruments and forms with contemporary rhythms. Rastak has done extensive research into Persian folk music both academically and in practice. They have been focused for the past two decades on the sound of Iranian folklore and diverse cultures; resulting in five albums, five singles and numerous concert tours in Iran and overseas.

International Appearances
Rastak has appeared on several international music festivals and has held many concerts in Iran, England, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden, United States, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Chile, Poland, Turkey,  Georgia, Belgium, Oman, Belarus, Kazakhstan,  Bangladesh, Iraq, United Arab Emirates among others.

International World Music Festivals
Rastak has made a name for itself by performing at various international music festivals. Their unique sound and style have made them stand out in the world music scene. Recently, they performed at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2023 in Sarawak, Malaysia, and the Spirit of Tengri World Music Festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where they wowed audiences with their captivating performances. They also performed in Slemani, Hawaii Sahar Music Festival, where they shared their culture and music with their fans and friends. These performances were truly unforgettable, and it’s no wonder that Rastak has gained a dedicated following of music lovers worldwide. Their passion for music and commitment to spreading the message of peace and unity through their music make them a truly inspiring group of musicians.

Musicians

 * Siamak Sepehri: Band Director, Tar Player
 * Farzad Moradi: Vocalist and multi instrumentalist
 * Behzad Moradi: Vocalist and percussionist
 * Dina Doosti: Kamancheh and Kamancheh alto player
 * Majid Poosti: Percussionist
 * Akbar Esmaeilipour: Tar, Oud, Setar
 * Sahar Rashidi: Qanun

Management

 * Behzad Pournaghi: Marketing/Band Manager
 * Mehdi Farshchi: Executive Manager

Previous Members
Omid Mostafavi, Hamed Bolandhemmat, Yasaman Najmeddin, Parisa Inanloo, Yavar Ahmadifar, Mohammad Mazhari, Piran Mohajeri, Sepehr Saadati, Sara Naderi, Kaveh Sarvarian, Yaser Navazandeh, Farzad Khorshidsavar, Negar Ezazi, Saba Jamali, Reza Abedia, Sahar Ebrahim, Nima Niktab, Sara Ahmadi, Hosna Parsa, Danoosh Asadpour, Bita Ghasemi, Hiwa Seyfizadeh

Strings
Tar, Qanun, Oud, Kamancheh, Santur, Kamancheh alto, Bam Tar, Tanbur, Dotar, Ghoppoz, Divan, Gheyhak, Rubab, Azeri Tar, Tanboorak, Gheychak Bass, Double Bass, Cello, Guitar, Bass Guitar

Percussions
Tombak, Daf, Dholak, Damam, Naqareh, Desar Koten, Zarb, Zarb Timpo, Dayereh, Bandir, Dayereh Zangi, Dhol, Dom Dom, Kaser, Pipeh, Kasooreh, Tas, Halab, Darbuka, Cajón, Tambourine, Cymbal, Senjak

Wind Instruments
Sorna, Nayanban, Balaban, Dozaleh, Nay Jofti, Qoshmeh, Gharaney, Labak, Neylabak, Laleva, Ney, Donaley, Karnay

Albums and Singles
=== Rangvareha-ye-Kohan (Ancient Hues) – Audio, 2007 === Also known as Ancient Hues is Rastak’s first album and has 12 audio tracks. Iran is a vast country with a long history where the wide range of ethnic minorities comprising one nation, is illustrative of congeniality, culture interaction and strong bonds among Iranians. The pieces of this collection as part of  a rich spiritual legacy, belong to a number of these ethnicities; however, they have been given a rather fair air.

Tracks

 * 1) Hoor (Sun) – Bases on the ancient mode of Tanbur
 * 2) Soon-o-Soog (Festivity & Mourning) – An adaptation of Lorestan & Kermanshah music
 * 3) Hejran (Far & Away) – Unaccompanied Kamacheh
 * 4) Paeezeh (Autumn) – Based on a Kurdish local melody
 * 5) Eshragh (Intuition) – Unaccompanied Oud
 * 6) Souda (Passion) – Inspired by a melody from Khorasan
 * 7) Kavir (Desert) – A trio for 2 Tars and 1 Dutar
 * 8) Kajal (Deer) – Based on a local tune from Kurdistan
 * 9) Shoopeh (Glow Worm) – Instrumental piece in Mazandarani
 * 10) Haraee – Based on modes from Mazandaran music
 * 11) Kooran (River) – Instrumental music, incorporating music from Mazandaran and Balochistan
 * 12) Banoor (Bride) – Based on Balochi "sout" mode

=== Hame-ye Aghvam-e Man (All My Homeland People) – Audio and Video, 2010 === Since long ago, Iran has always been a cradle for different folks who managed to save and nurture their bases of cultures alongside the rich culture of their ancient homeland. One symbol of this cultural variety is the vast range of folkloric music which is the heritage of their past. "All My Homeland People" is Rastak's effort to retell these ballads. It is Rastak's hope to play a small role in recreating folk ballads and introducing the deep roots and rich past of Persian culture to the world.

Tracks

 * 1) Baroon – Lori
 * 2) Raana – Gilaki
 * 3) Gal Gal – Azeri
 * 4) Leyla – Khorasan
 * 5) Souzaleh – Kurdi
 * 6) Balal – Bakhiari
 * 7) Marochan – Balochi

Sorna-ye Nowruz / Video album, 2013
Rastak’s 3rd album Sornay-e Nowruz. It comprises 6 audio and video tracks from Bushehr, Fars, Mazandaran, Kormanj, Baluchestan, Azerbaijan, Gilan and kurdistan.

Tracks

 * 1) Heleh Mali – Bushehr
 * 2) Yar – Fars Province
 * 3) Lareh - Mazandaran
 * 4) Allah Khaneh – Kormanji
 * 5) Hal Haleh – Qashqai
 * 6) Sorna-ye Nowruz – Bakhtiari, Khorasan, Mazandarani, Azeri, Balochi, Gilaki and Kurdi

=== Mian-e Khorshidha-ye Hamisheh (Among Eternal Suns) – Audio & Video album, 2016 === Is Rastak's interpretation of the music of Iran's varied cultures- "Sun" that steadily shine over and across this land generating music as well as ideas. Rastak endeavors is to make use of these endless treasures,  and feels indebted to them. “Among Etrnal Suns” includes 10 audio and video tracks from Kerman, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Kurdestan, Gars, Baluchestan and Azerbaijan.

Tracks

 * 1) Sakineh – Kerman
 * 2) Biu Barimesh – Khuzestan
 * 3) Ey Yaar – Hormozgan
 * 4) Havaar
 * 5) Botorai – Kurdistan
 * 6) Vasoonak – Fars
 * 7) Zahirook
 * 8) Allah Mani Barag – Blochestan
 * 9) Sanin Yadegarin – Azerbaijan
 * 10) Lezgi

=== Bahar – Audio & Video album, 2018 === New experiences about new arrangements and the use of guitar and cello in combination with Iranian musical instruments. Celebrating Spring, Rastak's latest album includes folk songs from different parts of Iran, with folk lyrics in different languages and dialects. All these tracks have praise of Spring and the Persian New Year as their central theme, hence the name of the album: Bahar (Spring)

Tracks

 * 1) Mandir – Bakhtiari
 * 2) Shekoufeh – Fars
 * 3) Nowruz – Hormozgan
 * 4) Gol-e-Pamchal – Guilan
 * 5) Wahar – Kurdistan
 * 6) Gol Poune – Farsi
 * 7) Lala Lar – Azerbaijan

Borderless at Home – Audio Singles 2019–2020
In this project Rastak is working on the music of Iran neighboring countries to be a messenger of peace while depicting the beauty of Middle Eastern music and culture. The idea of this album was born due to the positive feedbacks in overseas performances.

Tracks

 * 1) Laily Jan -Dari
 * 2) Hyo Hayo Hiye – Arabic
 * 3) Asum En Te – Armenian
 * 4) Kuchalar – Azeri
 * 5) Kara Uzum Habbasi – Turkish
 * 6) Laylo – Kurmanji

=== Dance With Rastak – Audio and Video Album 2021 === Dance With Rastak, reflects the diversity of Iranian culture and its folklore music. The album is our 6th album which will be released in two audio and video editions and comprises folk songs from ethnicities such as Azerbaijan, Dezful, Kerman, Kurdistan, Khurasan and Shiraz.

Tracks

 * 1) Owina (Based on an Azeri song)
 * 2) Ow Bordom (Based on North Khuzestan music)
 * 3) Faatelo (Based on a song from Kerman)
 * 4) Kamarey (Derived from Kurdish music)
 * 5) Shadoomad  (Derived from Khorasan music)
 * 6) Asemoon (Based on a song from Shiraz)

Sombre Sky
Sombre Sky (AKA Aseman-e-kaboud), (Persian: آسمان کبود) is a single recorded in Istanbul and published in 2022. It is based on an old song performed by Iradj Mahdian.