Atash
Austin, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1999 | INDIE
Music
Press
"With their debut, Republic of Love, flexing sinewy rhythms, Atash are at the forefront of ATX's vibrant world music scene."
--Margaret Moser, SXSW Festival preview, March 2004
"Atash's Republic of Love is Texas' No. 4 album of the year 2003!"
--David Lynch, December 2003
"Stunning release by one of Austin's premier world music ensembles!"
--Austin Chronicle, August 2003
"'We have fallen to a place where everything is music,' (Rumi, 13th century). Recent world events may have inspired Republic of Love, but as the quote from the Sufi mystic suggests, when war disrupts the world, thank goodness it's music that emerges from the ruins. And what glorious music it is on the sensational debut from Austin-based world-music masters Atash ('fire' in Farsi). Where to begin? With curvaceous Indian-Middle Eastern melodies that serve as the group's foundation? Addictive percussive rhythms? The delightfully seamless infusion of Western jazz, rock, and classical music traditions, or Mohammad Firoozi's captivating vocals? And don't forget the lyrics. Sung in Farsi (translated into English in the liner notes), they are lyrical love poems to the world: 'I read the books of Moses, Jesus and Mohammed, slept beneath the tree of Buddha, but still did not find answers. When Love came to rule me, then I became a believer.' Profoundly spiritual lyrics and exceptional musicianship sends listeners into a swoon rivaling Neruda. Though singing in Farsi, Firoozi's voice is understandable in any language. Having been trained as a boy to sing azzaan, the Muslim call to prayer, Firoozi's richly seasoned voice rises from tenderness to shimmering ecstasy. Together with accomplished musicians Roberto Riggio, Dylan Jones, John Moon, Jason McKenzie, and Alseny Sylla on violin, viola, tamboura, upright bass, djembe, and percussive instruments from East and West, Republic of Love spirits listeners away to a place where music is bread for the soul."
--Belinda Acosta, Austin Chronicle, August 2003
- Austin Chronicle
"With their debut, Republic of Love, flexing sinewy rhythms, Atash are at the forefront of ATX's vibrant world music scene."
--Margaret Moser, SXSW Festival preview, March 2004
"Atash's Republic of Love is Texas' No. 4 album of the year 2003!"
--David Lynch, December 2003
"Stunning release by one of Austin's premier world music ensembles!"
--Austin Chronicle, August 2003
"'We have fallen to a place where everything is music,' (Rumi, 13th century). Recent world events may have inspired Republic of Love, but as the quote from the Sufi mystic suggests, when war disrupts the world, thank goodness it's music that emerges from the ruins. And what glorious music it is on the sensational debut from Austin-based world-music masters Atash ('fire' in Farsi). Where to begin? With curvaceous Indian-Middle Eastern melodies that serve as the group's foundation? Addictive percussive rhythms? The delightfully seamless infusion of Western jazz, rock, and classical music traditions, or Mohammad Firoozi's captivating vocals? And don't forget the lyrics. Sung in Farsi (translated into English in the liner notes), they are lyrical love poems to the world: 'I read the books of Moses, Jesus and Mohammed, slept beneath the tree of Buddha, but still did not find answers. When Love came to rule me, then I became a believer.' Profoundly spiritual lyrics and exceptional musicianship sends listeners into a swoon rivaling Neruda. Though singing in Farsi, Firoozi's voice is understandable in any language. Having been trained as a boy to sing azzaan, the Muslim call to prayer, Firoozi's richly seasoned voice rises from tenderness to shimmering ecstasy. Together with accomplished musicians Roberto Riggio, Dylan Jones, John Moon, Jason McKenzie, and Alseny Sylla on violin, viola, tamboura, upright bass, djembe, and percussive instruments from East and West, Republic of Love spirits listeners away to a place where music is bread for the soul."
--Belinda Acosta, Austin Chronicle, August 2003
- Austin Chronicle
"Atash now leads the way in promoting the exploration of various global disciplines in music."
--Damon Williams, Feedback Magazine, Fall 2003
"[Atash's] musical power is unlike anything you'll hear!"
--David Momphard, Taipei Times, September 2003
"Austin is known for its diverse and talented underground music scene, and its reputation holds with world-music ensemble Atash.... Mohammad Firoozi's haunting Maghreb style of chanting Farsi looms over diverse sounds of Arabic Gypsy violin, lute, tamboura, dumbek, riq and the jazz infusion of upright bass and drumset.... REPUBLIC OF LOVE is a response to global events and reflects what atash, the ancient symbol of fire, represents: truth and life energy. Atash spreads its colorful world-music wings!"
--Amy Dalness, Santa Fe's Pasatiempo, July 2003
"In a time ripe with fusion revolution, Atash stands out among the ranks with a powerful and original sound. The band sets the driving elements of rock, the improvisational elements of jazz and the music of India over a foundation of Middle Easternesque compositions...their show will charm your mind and lick your soul."
--AC, Metro Santa Cruz (CA), July 2003
"Atash's members are seekers of love's eternal mysteries from a more spiritual plane. Connecting South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North and West African motifs with the rock-jazz realm, these globally minded Austinites have the fire-and-ice thing down pat. Their soul-center is Mohammad Firoozi, whose gruffly ecstatic Farsi vocals yearn with an unquenchable thirst."
--Tom Cheyney, LA Weekly, July 2003
"Atash-A five-person Middle Eastern ensemble whose fierce vocals and rhythms demand attention!"
--Rachel Proctor, Goodlife Magazine, July 2003
"If you have not yet done so, you must see Atash play live. If you have, go see them again. I have never heard a more beautiful mix of Jazz and middle eastern music."
--Austinrock.com, 2003
- Various
"Atash now leads the way in promoting the exploration of various global disciplines in music."
--Damon Williams, Feedback Magazine, Fall 2003
"[Atash's] musical power is unlike anything you'll hear!"
--David Momphard, Taipei Times, September 2003
"Austin is known for its diverse and talented underground music scene, and its reputation holds with world-music ensemble Atash.... Mohammad Firoozi's haunting Maghreb style of chanting Farsi looms over diverse sounds of Arabic Gypsy violin, lute, tamboura, dumbek, riq and the jazz infusion of upright bass and drumset.... REPUBLIC OF LOVE is a response to global events and reflects what atash, the ancient symbol of fire, represents: truth and life energy. Atash spreads its colorful world-music wings!"
--Amy Dalness, Santa Fe's Pasatiempo, July 2003
"In a time ripe with fusion revolution, Atash stands out among the ranks with a powerful and original sound. The band sets the driving elements of rock, the improvisational elements of jazz and the music of India over a foundation of Middle Easternesque compositions...their show will charm your mind and lick your soul."
--AC, Metro Santa Cruz (CA), July 2003
"Atash's members are seekers of love's eternal mysteries from a more spiritual plane. Connecting South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North and West African motifs with the rock-jazz realm, these globally minded Austinites have the fire-and-ice thing down pat. Their soul-center is Mohammad Firoozi, whose gruffly ecstatic Farsi vocals yearn with an unquenchable thirst."
--Tom Cheyney, LA Weekly, July 2003
"Atash-A five-person Middle Eastern ensemble whose fierce vocals and rhythms demand attention!"
--Rachel Proctor, Goodlife Magazine, July 2003
"If you have not yet done so, you must see Atash play live. If you have, go see them again. I have never heard a more beautiful mix of Jazz and middle eastern music."
--Austinrock.com, 2003
- Various
CDBaby staff:
"I love Atash's 'Republic Of Love' CD! It's one of the best I've ever heard."
--Derek Sivers, owner, CDBaby, June 2003
"A full-bodied, earthy vintage of classical Indian and Middle Eastern music, Jazz and the close-knit compositional texture of western classical music. With the edges slightly softened and the organic rhythms balanced with rich, harmonic backgrounds, 'Republic Of Love' sings with the ancient wisdom of traditional musics and cultures while appealing to all generations and nationalities across the globe. An equally fulfilling and stirring album."
--Tamara Turner, CD Baby.com, June 2003
CDBaby customers:
"atash claims love is the answer; they are right!
republic of love is a well formulated release of love. independently, every song holds its weight; but together this is an album worth holding on to for years to come. instant classic. great job atash!"
-Alfredo
"a refreshing drink of water from a 'fire band'!
this is what modern music is all about. republic of love connects at heart, mind and soul levels, and across the globe. this CD is awesome!"
--Christine, www.fashionlines.com
"Exotic, passionate, spiritual, danceable, Vocals thrill me everytime I listen."
--Rose
- CDBaby.com
CDBaby staff:
"I love Atash's 'Republic Of Love' CD! It's one of the best I've ever heard."
--Derek Sivers, owner, CDBaby, June 2003
"A full-bodied, earthy vintage of classical Indian and Middle Eastern music, Jazz and the close-knit compositional texture of western classical music. With the edges slightly softened and the organic rhythms balanced with rich, harmonic backgrounds, 'Republic Of Love' sings with the ancient wisdom of traditional musics and cultures while appealing to all generations and nationalities across the globe. An equally fulfilling and stirring album."
--Tamara Turner, CD Baby.com, June 2003
CDBaby customers:
"atash claims love is the answer; they are right!
republic of love is a well formulated release of love. independently, every song holds its weight; but together this is an album worth holding on to for years to come. instant classic. great job atash!"
-Alfredo
"a refreshing drink of water from a 'fire band'!
this is what modern music is all about. republic of love connects at heart, mind and soul levels, and across the globe. this CD is awesome!"
--Christine, www.fashionlines.com
"Exotic, passionate, spiritual, danceable, Vocals thrill me everytime I listen."
--Rose
- CDBaby.com
Caribbean Lights, Saturday, March 20 "You guys have four minutes," nudged SXSW, reminding Austin's Atash to start on time. Such is the onus on the first band of a showcase-packed night, lest they delay the stacked schedule. Good thing, then, that this worldly collective doesn't require electric power to enliven a room, since a few sound tweaks occurred during commencement. Yet all was well when lead singer Mohammad "Mo" Firoozi intoned, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Over the band's warm waves of harmonic energy – minor Gyspy jazz melodies and Mediterranean rhythms – Mo's golden voice floated, light as air, then curled like water lapping on a soft rocky shore. Local audiences may have experienced the band's more energetic states, but Atash didn't disappoint, sampling from their Austin Music Award-winning debut, Republic of Love. Perhaps too focused on punctuality, the quintet finished 38 minutes into the hour, giving up enough time for an encore. Odds are they were just being courteous to the other artists on the bill, including the following act, their flamenco friends Teye & Belén. Which just proves that Atash's approach to life is like their music: divine.
[March 26, 2004]
- Austin Chronicle
Caribbean Lights, Saturday, March 20 "You guys have four minutes," nudged SXSW, reminding Austin's Atash to start on time. Such is the onus on the first band of a showcase-packed night, lest they delay the stacked schedule. Good thing, then, that this worldly collective doesn't require electric power to enliven a room, since a few sound tweaks occurred during commencement. Yet all was well when lead singer Mohammad "Mo" Firoozi intoned, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Over the band's warm waves of harmonic energy – minor Gyspy jazz melodies and Mediterranean rhythms – Mo's golden voice floated, light as air, then curled like water lapping on a soft rocky shore. Local audiences may have experienced the band's more energetic states, but Atash didn't disappoint, sampling from their Austin Music Award-winning debut, Republic of Love. Perhaps too focused on punctuality, the quintet finished 38 minutes into the hour, giving up enough time for an encore. Odds are they were just being courteous to the other artists on the bill, including the following act, their flamenco friends Teye & Belén. Which just proves that Atash's approach to life is like their music: divine.
[March 26, 2004]
- Austin Chronicle
Discography
ATASH debut CD-- Republic of Love, 2003
Limited edition live DVD -- Global Harmony, 2005
ATASH live CD -- Global Harmony, 2007
ATASH forthcoming album -- Everything Is Music, 2013
Photos
Bio
Atash members, hailing from different corners of the globe, met in Austin, Texas, the "Live Music Capital of the World." Coming together within a community rich in art, wine, music, and food, they formed a brotherly bond and naturally created a vibrant original sound that embraces elements from many traditions, and expresses the essence of living in harmony. The group's career has spanned more than a decade, earning them fans across the globe.
The deep classic poetry of Rumi and other medieval Sufi poets; the rhythms and melodic forms of flamenco, the Middle East and India; the textures of western classical music; the energy of rock and west Africa; the heights of virtuosic improvisation; the geometry of finely sculpted arrangements -- all find their places in Atash's worldly sound. Concert-goers cannot help but dance ecstatically to the music, even in venues that don't have a dance floor -- theatre aisles become full of dancers.
From the small Iranian village Borazjan, on the Persian Gulf, Atash frontman Mohammad Firoozi began his singing career as the youngest muezzin in the local mosque. After sneaking against his parents' wishes to Shiraz as a teenager to play with the rock cover band The Lost Cats in the early 70s, Firoozi emigrated to Texas, where he found his voice in reggae and flamenco music.
In the 90s he returned to his roots in Persian melodies and mystical poetry and his world collided into friendship with the worlds of the other artists of who would become and/or collaborate with Atash, whose roots brought in influences from the U.S., Latin America, southern Europe, west Africa, Haiti, India, Syria, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Korea. They began performing at typical Austin gatherings in homes at parties, but soon spread to clubs where they quickly gained the reputation as "Austin's Best Kept Secret!" (Austin Chronicle, 1998)
Through perseverance Atash would rise to dominate the world music scene in Austin, and slowly make their way around the globe, performing in the American southwest, west coast, Spain, Taiwan, and Mexico. The band has completed two critically-acclaimed albums, Republic of Love (2003) and Global Harmony (2007), and are set to release their third album, "Everything Is Music," this fall, featuring guest appearances by Atash collaborators Fareed Haque, Abbos Kosimov, Subrata Bhattacharya, Naga Valli, and the Haitian boys' choir Les Petits Chanteurs.
Band Members
Links
