User:Nileaa01/sandbox

Accolade (Persion: آکولاد) is an Iranian country band, formed in 2011 by vocalist Danial Izadi, Pianist Farbod Shirmohammad, and Violinist Nastaran Ghaffari in Tehran. They have remained constant members, and have since added Hamed Babaei as a Guitarist, Ardeshir Jofreh as a percussionist/drummer, and Kamiar Shahdoust as a bassist. Commonly referred to as a country band, they are also considered one of Iran's most famous underground music groups.

Iranian Music
We have only just begun to see the tip of the iceberg that is the cultural scene of Iran, and particularly the music recorded there. Iran's music scene is as complex as the country's society as a whole. It contains a blend of, "Classical and modern, innocence alongside outspoken political and religious protest, demonstrative nationalism along with prohibited underground music." Prominent representatives of contemporary Iranian music are recorded in Iran and by Iranian immigrants in the United States, Europe and even in Israel.

Pop Music
Iran developed its own pop music by the 1950s, when Vigen Derderian introduced the guitar and electric guitar, combining them with traditional Iranian instruments. He became the most popular pop singer of this period for his unique voice. Later on in 1970's, Googoosh who was Vigen's student became popular. After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, pop music's future seemed dark because of the new Islamic laws and restrictions. Many Iranians migrated to foreign countries, especially Los Angeles in the United States, and saw great success. These immigrant musicians include: Dariush Eghbali, Ebi, Siavash Shams, Siavash Ghomeyshi, Hayedeh, Homeira, Mahasti, Hassan Sattar, Shohreh Solati, Shahram Solati, Noshafarin, Aref, Shahram Shabpareh, Leila Forouhar, Faramarz Asef, Andy, Koros, Martik, Morteza, Farzaneh Ahmad Azad, Mansour, Shahram K, Fattaneh, Moein, Hasan Shamaeezadeh, Nazi Afshar, and Bijan Mortazavi.

Underground Music
Strict government restrictions prompted many musicians to leave the country in the 1980s after Iran's Islamic Revolution. Due to these restrictions, the underground music scene in Iran has been fast-growing and increasing in popularity among many. For many Iranian musicians, though, it isn't necessarily a sign of rebellion against the government. Many musicians, including a woman violinist who performs underground, say they enjoy their off-the-record existence as it provides them with a level of freedom they would not otherwise have. Today, the government has allowed some pop concerts to go on, but musicians still say all the hassles and restrictions make playing underground easier. In an interview, Accolade's lead vocalist Danial Izadi summed up the feelings of many of these musicians saying, "Are we underground because we want to oppose the system? No," he said. "We wanted to do what we loved to do."

Accolade
Accolade is a relatively new band. Founded in 2011, their goal has simply been to play the type of music that they love and express themselves. While there have been examples of music as a tool to rebel against the Iranian Government, Accolade doesn't perform for this reason. They are underground because they have found that it is easier, and that they have much more freedom. With the underground music industry in Iran flourishing, their music will continue to become more and more popular. Their most famous song to date is titled Raskolnikov and it was the first song that they produced.

Band members

 * Current members
 * Danial Izadi – Lead vocals (2011–present)
 * Farbod Shirmohammad – Piano (2011–present)
 * Nastaran Ghaffari – Violin (2011–present)
 * Hamed Babaei – Guitar (2012–present)
 * Ardeshir Jofreh – Percussion/drums (2012–present)
 * Kamiar Shahdoust – Bass (2012-present)

Song List

 * "Raskolnikov"
 * "Asbabkeshi"
 * "Harfe Ezafeh"
 * "Mohandes"