Soltan is also our Guest DJ for Firepower’s Lock and Load Mix Series. We know you guys have been waiting eagerly for this one. So read up on the life of Soltan and like, share, and repost his mix below!
For bass music to survive, artists need to constantly innovate with sound design. Your EP Jadugar seems to do just that! How do you keep your sound fresh and innovative in a musical landscape that is often content to recycle and rehash old sounds and ideas?
Well I simply get bored when I stay safe and use the same kinds of sounds over and over again so I’m always looking to innovate and change things up. I also put a lot of my time into sound design, and I’m not so concerned with what I THINK people what to hear. It’s more about what gets me excited because your fans can feel it when you really put your 100% into your music. The last thing is growing up around a mix of Middle Eastern sounds from countries like Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey and also India has been a huge influence on my sound.
What are some of the toughest challenges you face as a producer in Iran that other producers may take for granted?
A huge hardship for me has been that I’m physically isolated and also the lack of opportunity here for pursuing music production. There really isn’t a bass scene in Iran let alone dance clubs. I’ve never been to a bass show or “rave” so everything that I’ve been influenced by in the bass world is through the internet. It’s crazy seeing these people play your music on tour and at festivals and not knowing what that experience is like you know? I hope that someday I can have this “physical connection” with other music lovers like me.
What is the bass music or EDM scene like in Iran right now?
As I mentioned, there isn’t really a bass scene and dance culture in general is not exactly looked favorably upon. That’s not to say at all that there aren’t people here who enjoy dance music because there are… they just can’t be too about it.
If you were to host a party, and you were the chef, what would you serve and why?
Koobideh, which is a kind of kabob. Along with some rice, tadiq, and gojeh (tomato) 
What is the most important thing in life?
The most important for me is the safety and happiness of my family. After that, I would say doing what I love and putting my all into my music.
]]>Art always finds a way to speak for those whose voices are oppressed. The Jadugar EP is Soltan yelling at the top of his lungs, and his music reveals a hidden genius that would have remained hidden if it weren’t for the perfect pairing of Bass music and Internet technology. Soltan’s music also reveals a kid just like us—hopeful in same ways we are, afraid of the same things we are, trying to get busy in same ways we do. When the Iranian Government isn’t strangling bandwith or straight-up controlling access to it, Soltan produces filthy bass music. When most of us are ready to quit because of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Soltan keeps his head down, producing intricate soundscapes with the hope of one day sending his sonic messages out to the world. Troy Beetles, the Firepower Records Boss whose ears all music released on the label must pass, was immediately mesmerized by how unique and innovative Soltan is. The decision was swift and immediate; it was the most impressed Troy has been with an artist in quite some time. His story is inspiring, too, and speaks to the transcendent power of music to cross cultural, political, religious, and geographic borders. We are all united through the power of dance. Plus the EP goes effing Hard AF!
Starting the EP is “Bang Bazzar”, a collaboration with Firepower Footsoldier, Spag Heddy, and features the vocal wizadry of Gravity. The traditional Persian influences permeate the tune and offer a fresh take on bass. After the revolution in Iran, artistic expression took a bit of a hit, but now we are witnessing the untapped wells of artistry that bubbled under the surface just waiting for a chance to pop.
Soltan is also an extremely astute and capable student of modern bass music sound design. His synth work is brilliant, unmatched by much of the producers out there today. “Balkan’s Hammer” uses the traditional Persian musical influences, but forges it through the crucible of Dubstep production. “Jadu”, then, takes a more western approach, featuring all the vocal hype you’d see in the Hip Hop world. But Soltan compresses the track into a feast of plentitude, offering up a seemingly infinite variety of sounds. The track reveals itself a little more with every listen.
Rounding out the EP is “Live On Rewind” featuring Jai Matt. Here is the festival ballad any DJ should keep in their arsenal. With soaring vocals and a sinister drop, the track is perfect for the mid set sing-along. It’s a gorgeous way to cap an impressive EP and shows the insane range Soltan possesses.
The tracklisting for “Jadugar” is:
- Soltan & Spag Heddy – “Bang Bazzar” Feat. Gravity
- Soltan – “Balkan’s Hammer”
- Soltan – “Jadu”
- Soltan – “Live On Rewind” Feat. Jai Matt
For more information on Soltan:
https://twitter.com/soltanofficial
https://www.facebook.com/SoltanOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/soltan.official/
For More information on Firepower Records:
https://soundcloud.com/firepowerrecs
https://www.facebook.com/FirepowerRecs
https://twitter.com/firepowerrecs
www.youtube.com/user/FirepowerRecs
For Press Inquiries, contact:
Lee Underwood
Publicity Manager I Firepower Records I Twitter: @leeFPRecs
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