Interview with Shoutout LA Magazine

https://shoutoutla.com/meet-mehrpouya-daneshvar-performer-composer-arranger-band-leader-educator/

 

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mehrpouya Daneshvar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mehrpouya, how does your business help the community?
As a musician, it’s crucial to continually consider how we can convey the stories of our audience through our music, which is also our own story. As an Iranian musician, I strive to be a storyteller using my instrument and compositions. Most of my stories are drawn from the experiences of my people— their struggles over the decades, their dances, their joys, and the nature of Iran. Meanwhile, as I’ve traveled to different countries to perform, I’ve encountered diverse people and their unique stories. Living among them and experiencing their lifestyles has allowed me to expand my musical vocabulary and refine my composition techniques. This way, I can authentically incorporate specific elements of their cultural music. I believe that as musicians, and especially as concert performers, we are ambassadors of our culture. We aim to share our audiences’ stories through our musical expressions.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Firstly, I am an improviser and composer on the clarinet and kamancheh, originating from Iran. The primary music I pursue is influenced by Iranian folk and classical music. My music is mostly improvisational, which means it’s created in the moment. When playing with someone, we engage in a conversation through our instruments without prior preparation, making each performance unique—even if it’s the same song played over fifty times.

I began my musical journey at the age of four. From a very early age, I realized that sounds and emotions resonated differently with me. Happiness had an extra flavor, and sadness felt more intense. Over the years, I worked diligently to develop the ability to express these feelings through my music. Being a musician is challenging; from the start, you must learn to cope with failure. In the beginning, lack of experience and skill means that it can take months or even years of practice and motivation to achieve the level of proficiency I desire. This represents a significant responsibility to music and art.

My first instrument was the kamancheh, an Iranian fiddle, which I played for over 12 years. Switching my primary focus to the clarinet at age 18 was a difficult decision, as it meant starting from scratch and building new skills in a relatively forgotten field of Iranian classical music. This change brought numerous challenges.

The most important lesson I’ve learned so far is to trust the path I choose and to be familiar with the sense of failure when trying something new. The key is to keep moving forward in the direction I believe in.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As someone living in Boston, I would first invite my friend for a walk along the Charles River, sharing stories I know about the area. Then, we’d grab a drink at Felipe’s Mexican Taqueria, followed by a stroll through the MIT campus, Harvard University, and the Cambridge area. For lunch, we’d head to Life Alive, one of my favorite healthy restaurants. Later, I’d invite them to a friend’s party to hang out, jam, dance, and chat with my musician friends from different countries.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I owe a great deal to my parents, who have always been my primary supporters. They encouraged me along the path I chose, even when they didn’t agree with my decisions. They consistently believed in me and instilled in me the confidence that I am the one who should decide my future. Regardless of the outcome, they supported me and motivated me to persevere. Additionally, my paternal family, who were my first musical educators, have always guided me musically and supported me extensively through their connections. I must also mention my mentor, Kayhan Kalhor, a legendary musician who has provided invaluable help during critical moments in my career. Lastly, I am grateful for all the instructors I’ve had in both Iran and the US, whose patience in teaching me has been a crucial part of my career.