Today we’d like to introduce you to Farnaz Tabatabaee.
Hi Farnaz, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m from Tehran, Iran, and it’s been my home for almost my entire life. My musical journey began with classical piano at eight, followed by classical violin at 14. Choosing a more conventional path, I studied information technology engineering for my bachelor’s degree at 18, driven by my knack for math and physics and my parents’ belief that music wasn’t a lucrative career. However, that was not what made me happy.
When I was 23, I got to a stage where playing pre-composed pieces no longer fulfilled me. Simultaneously, I was going through a significant trauma, prompting me to start composing spontaneously without prior knowledge of composition or even basic chords. This led me to delve into classical composition, laying the groundwork for my musical journey. All those years of practicing piano and learning music theories and ear training helped me a lot in composition classes. Seeking more creative freedom, I became the arranger for a pop band in Iran. But I couldn’t find the kind of freedom I was looking for there. I loved using different chords like cluster or spooky, but every time the singer heard them, he’d frown, wondering what I was up to. So, in the end, the constraints of pop music left me unsatisfied.
In pursuit of greater musical expression, I delved into jazz harmony, captivated by its colours and rhythms. The search for a jazz piano teacher led me to Hami Keivan, a Berklee Jazz Composition and Performance graduate. His recognition that my music had a cinematic quality was a turning point.
Inspired by this discovery, I applied for Berklee’s master’s degree in Valencia, Spain, and luckily, I was accepted. Needless to say, my parents supported my passion for music, encouraging me to explore and learn more.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, the journey was anything but smooth—it was quite the rollercoaster. When I applied to study film scoring composition at Berklee, I knew paying the tuition was impossible, especially for Iranians, given our currency’s low value. With 1 dollar equalling 51,000 Tomans and the constant rise in prices, it’s a real challenge. Unfortunately, Iran doesn’t offer any student loans for those wanting to study abroad.
To make my dream a reality, my parents went to extreme lengths. They sold our house and supported me financially, despite their own difficult circumstances. My father always says he invested in me, and I’m grateful for that. Berklee’s fellowship for internship also provided some relief. However, to manage my expenses, I’ve had to cut back on a lot—buying the cheapest groceries, avoiding unnecessary outings, and making many sacrifices. It’s a tough road, but I believe my father’s investments will pay off soon.
Apart from financial issues, when I walked into the outside world. Because of the restrictions imposed on my country, I faced numerous challenges. It took me three months to open a bank account, and when they found out where I was from, they told me they couldn’t open a bank account for me. So imagine how difficult it was to live without a debit card and spend so much time looking for a solution on top of a really intensive program I was studying.
The challenges seemed endless. I hit points where I felt frustrated, wanting to quit because it didn’t seem fair. However, each obstacle fueled my determination to persevere and never give up.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Right after graduation, I was fortunate to land an internship at Nuntius Productions Inc, working in Laurent Eyquem’s studio, known for films such as “Great War Diaries,” “The Red Tent,” “Clash of Futures,” “Momentum,” and “Copperhead.” This experience led me to land my first gig as music editor for “Shadow Land” directed by James Bamford, while also assisting with “A Divied Wolrd” and “GT Max”.
Jazz harmony and my 22 years of piano experience have profoundly shaped my approach to composition. I excel at creating a wide range of harmonic colors and enjoy creating rich textures using melodic motifs. This, in essence, defines my musical style so far.
Moreover coming from Iran, I want to highlight its beautiful traditional music, unique scales, and instruments. Combining them with orchestral and hybrid elements to create a new sound palette.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don’t see it as taking risks; it’s more like stepping into the unknown. There’s beauty in the unknown, where surprises await, and leaving your comfort zone always brings rewards. If I hadn’t taken these steps, I wouldn’t be where I am now. As Jorden Peterson puts it, there’s a lot of potential you’ve locked in your genetic code, and then if you put yourself in a new situation, then the stress produced by that particular situation unlocks those genes and then builds new parts in you.
Who knows how much there’s locked inside of you. Applying to Berklee, moving to Spain, and then to California for my internship were both uncertain and risky. I didn’t have enough money, and there was no guarantee of finding a job in this competitive industry with many talented friends. You never truly understand your own power to shape your future until you’re faced with no choice but to take a leap, move forward, and create your own path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ftabatabaee1.wixsite.com/farnaztabatabaee
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farnaz_tabatabae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553004260065
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farnaztabatabaee/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@farnaztabatabaee
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/farnaz-tabatabaee
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/track/2IOpXw47FIcS5WJBVEnK8r?si=0e16efb5039243e6
Image Credits
Aida Redzepagic – Shabnam J. Kermani
