Iranian musician and activist Sepp Osley has released his new single, Sing. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
The song is described "as a celebratory anthem that encapsulates the spirit of the woman-led revolution in Iran."
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Sepp's previous works includes a reworked version of Pink Floyd's Another Brick In The Wall dubbed "Hey Ayatollah Leave Those Kids Alone."
Another one of his tracks, Dear John, featured Peter Frampton, and British singer Mollie Marriott, along with cameos by Fearne Cotton, Matt Lucas, Peter Gabriel, Geddy Lee of Rush, Martin Freeman, Matt Sorum, and the late Maxi Jazz.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was born in Iran during the war of Iran and Iraq. My family escaped in the late 80s when I was a very young child and ended up in Canada where I grew up bouncing between Canada and the US. This experience and upbringing shaped who I would become as an artist.
I began writing and performing at the age of 13 and won the battle of the bands at my first ever public show which took place in Toronto at the iconic El Mocambo, on the same stage the Rolling Stones and Stevie Ray Vaughan had famously performed. The floors of the club were sticky with decades of spilt alcohol. The stage was bouncy and raw. I WAS HOOKED!
I have a deep love of cooking as well and have written a cookbook that is yet to be released that combines the incredible food of my homeland of Persia with stories of my life growing up and the marriage of food and music and how they are so intrinsically related.
How would you describe your music?
I've always believed in the boundary-less aspect of music. I like to combine all my experiences into a genre defying sound of melody and rhythm. To try and best describe it, my music is alternative rock and roll, with huge synth sounds, symphonic tapestry and pulsating grooves, stadium filling and anthemic hooks, intertwined with the ancient rhythms and melodies of Persia and world music. I try to write songs that move your heart, your soul, your mind, and your hips!
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Who are your musical inspirations?
I grew up with the pop sounds of the 80s and the rock and roll power of the 60s and 70s. My biggest influences musically are Depeche Mode, The Beatles, Peter Gabriel, Bob Marley and Pink Floyd but I also love so many artists out there currently, my contemporary peers, who are carving their own path like Wolf Alice or St. Vincent to Sam Fender and Harry Styles and so many more.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
My first live performance I ever witnessed is etched so vividly in my mind. I was only seven or eight years old and it was summer in Toronto. I hardly spoke a word of English and my parents took me to an amusement park where there was a concert taking place. We just happened to walk by from the outer gates and I stood and heard these intoxicating sounds. I peeked through the metal rails and saw crowds of joyous fans dancing and singing and enjoying their lives with such genuine fervour. I can even smell that metallic scent of the rails as I rested my head on one of them to watch. The band were phenomenal. I knew it was something special I was witnessing and I couldn't take my eyes off the singer who was so charismatic and natural in his hypnotising movements. Many years later, in conversation with my older brother who was there with me, I retold the story and he smiled when I asked, "was that someone famous we'd know who was performing?". It was INXS!
What was the first record you ever bought?
The first record I ever bought with my own money was Legend by Bob Marley and The Wailers. I wore it out to be honest. I had listened to a great deal of music from so many artists before that but that was the first one that I reached in my own pocket to own. That was the 90s and I was only a young teenager with my first paying job. I still play that album repeatedly to remind myself of the power of music and my duty as an artist to invoke both celebration of love and the eternal pursuit for peace.
What’s your favourite song right now?
This is such a difficult question to answer. I listen to a great deal of music from my heroes that I love but if I had to answer it would be The Tipping Point by Tears For Fears from their latest album. It's such a euphoric track. Instantly brings a nostalgic smile to my face :)
Favourite lyric of all time?
I actually have two. One is John Lennon's Imagine and the line "Imagine all the people living life in peace". and Bob Marley's Redemption Song and the line "Won't you help to sing these songs of freedom". I perform these two songs at my shows from time to time and they mean more to me now than ever. As I continue to highlight the plight of my brothers and sisters in Iran in their fight for freedom against a barbaric regime, and continue to stand against war and hate, I keep Bob and John close to my heart in this path of writing and spreading the gospel of peace and love through my songs. The path that they so eternally carved for new generations of artists like me to walk in their footsteps. I keep walking with deep conviction and hope in my heart, and my six string by my side.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I feel like that would be such a torture to inflict on any soul who ingests music as I do. It's an addiction to song really. For the purpose of throwing one out there and really this is near impossible, at this moment in time I'd say So Long, Marianne by another of my great heroes, Leonard Cohen. I feel if I was forced on an island to live out my days on my own with one song, this pure and unfiltered tower of melody would uplift my spirits into the next realm of my journey.
Where can people find your music/more information?
I'm out there everywhere folks get their music - Spotify/Apple/Amazon etc. All links can be found on my Instagram page @sepposley or by visiting my linktree.
Alan Corr
