Hailing from Ahwaz, Mehdi Saki was immersed in Arabic lullabies from a young age, finding solace in dance and music amid the turmoil of war. After studying dance and theatre in Tehran, he formed Kamakan, a contemporary folk project that brings together musicians from the independent scene.
The band weaves together musical traditions of southern Iran, Arab and Persian heritage, and both classic and contemporary poetry into a deeply evocative experience. Their debut album, released in 2015, quickly became a modern classic among Iranian youth. Although their second album faced publication barriers in Iran, their latest release IS finally came out in September 2023.
Following a residency at Le Grand Mix in France in November 2023, Kamakan – with Mehdi Saki (vocals, guitar, percussion), Ava Rasti (bass, electronic machines), and Axel Moon (saz, rabab, electronic machines) – has embraced electronic sounds to offer audiences a fresh and immersive experience.
Kamakan Instagram / Vaak Records Instagram / Art Stage Instagram
