London, 19th May 2009 - The first in a series of compilation albums tapping Iran's thriving underground music scene will be released worldwide in July 2009.

UK-based Bar-Ax Promotions has teamed up with USA indie record label Bamahang Productions to release this music series in order to help give worldwide exposure to the struggling underground musicians in Iran.

Despite the many restrictions imposed by the Iranian government on art in general, the music scene has been increasingly active and has grown to encompass a wide variety of music styles including Blues, Progressive Rock, Heavy Metal, Fusion, Jazz, Rap and Hip Hop.

While most of these bands and musicians are still active in Iran, the government does not allow them to record, publish, or perform their music in public. This is partly due to the uncompromising nature of their music and lyrics in tackling social and political issues. However, even simple romantic themes are also frowned upon by the Iranian government.

The refusal of these musicians to stay within the undefined red lines of self-censorship in Iran makes them outsiders to the circle of favoritism and government backing which a limited number of groups have been able to enjoy in recent years, allowing one of them to go as far as recording with 80's pop star Chris De Burgh with government approval.

This music series aims to introduce Iranian underground musicians to the outside world and to provide a unique portrayal of what goes on musically and artistically in basements and private home studios in Iran, in the face of government control and restrictions.

About Bar-Ax (www.bar-ax.com) Bar-Ax is an independent cultural organization created to boost the freedom of music in Iran and to enhance the artistic freedom of its musicians. Our aim is to be a major knowledge and promotion centre for the contemporary and alternative (non-mainstream) music of Iran, and to propagate and enhance the position of Iran's musical life, both nationally and internationally. Bar-ax also assists filmmakers and producers from Iran in distributing their work to representatives of TV stations and festival programmers, and arranging for their participation in prominent film and documentary events.
Contact: info@bar-ax.com

About Bamahang Productions (www.bamahang-productions.com) Bamahang Productions is the leading record label and music production company dedicated to promoting Iranian alternative and underground music. Relying on its huge grass-roots network of musicians and music lovers worldwide, Bamahang Productions has managed to produce and promote many Iranian alternative musicians and bands, most notably  Kiosk (www.kiosk-music.com). In July 2005, Bamahang Productions  released Kiosk's debut album "Adam Mamooli (Ordinary Man)" which became the first officially released and copyrighted  music album from Iran's underground music scene on CD and available for Digital distribution on iTunes.

... Payvand News - 05/21/09 ... --

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