Written by Marilù Ciabattoni
Discovered via Musosoup
Parham Gharavaisi is a solo musician whose musical journey began in 2019 out of necessity for uniqueness. His instrumental post-rock debut album emerged in January 2020, birthing a diverse catalogue spanning genres like rock, metalcore, and gothic rock. Influenced by 16-bit gaming soundtracks and the rise of metalcore in the mid-2000s, Parham fuses nostalgia with the intensity of metal in his compositions. With singles like "Eve Color" and "The Sun Speaks in Flames," he captivates audiences with melodic riffs and compelling narratives. Parham's style emphasizes contrast and experimentation, blending clean vocals with screams to explore nuanced expressions within rock and metal. While producing and performing most tracks himself, he aspires to collaborate with dream producers and continue refining his craft. Despite his main occupation in PC gaming, Parham envisions growth and self-improvement as a musician in the coming year.
Who is Parham Gharavaisi? How and when was the project born?
I had to use my real name because every combination of words from the dictionary, even misspelled ones, was already taken by other bands multiple times. My solo musical project began in 2019, and I released my debut album, an instrumental post-rock, in January 2020.
How has your music changed in the past few years?
My music covers a variety of genres. Although it began as instrumental, it soon evolved into rock and metal. I have produced over ten full-length albums featuring songs in diverse genres, including post-rock, pop-rock, hard rock, metalcore, melodic death metal, gothic rock, and gothic metal, among others.
Who inspired your music? Who are your biggest influences?
Pursuing this path was always a dream of mine, and eventually, I mustered the motivation to make it happen. My childhood was filled with gaming on classic 16-bit systems such as the SEGA Genesis, where the simplistic yet enchanting game soundtracks captured my imagination. There was an indefinable quality about that period that left a lasting impression on me. As we moved into the mid-2000s, metalcore started to gain widespread popularity, marking my introduction to metal music. I delved into Melodic Death Metal, Gothic/Symphonic Metal, and Metalcore as my initial forays into the genre, and these styles continue to resonate with me profoundly.
Could you introduce your favourite singles you've released so far?
Choosing a favourite is challenging because I invest my heart and soul into every piece of music I create, encompassing both the melodies and the lyrics. While I'm inclined to favour songs inspired by my beloved video games, it seems too easy a choice. Nonetheless, Eve Color features some of my most cherished riffs. However, if I had to select one track that stands out as a complete work, it would be The Sun Speaks in Flames due to its compelling environmental message.
How did you develop this style? Will you experiment with other genres in the future?
I'm definitely keen on exploring further and blending elements from a mix of genres in future projects. I've consistently emphasized creating a stark contrast between heavy and soft segments in my music, deliberately choosing both clean singing and screaming vocals within the same track to highlight this difference. Although I don't plan to diverge significantly from rock and metal, I intend to delve deeper into the nuanced aspects of these genres, continuing to discover and experiment with their complex characteristics.
Let's talk about "Mirror's Gaze:" What inspired it and how did it come to life?
For this track, my goal was to create a mesmerizing ambiance with a constant, overwhelming sound. The lyrics maintain the introspective quality that characterizes much of my work, while the music aims to reflect the cyclical patterns of life and the recurring motifs found in nature. It's designed to be the kind of song you play in the background during a lengthy drive, allowing you to drift away and become engrossed in its atmosphere, rather than a complex, technical composition demanding intense concentration.
Who produces your tracks? How do you choose which producers to work with? Do you have some dream producers you'd like to work with?
I personally wrote, produced, performed, mixed, and mastered Mirror's Gaze, a process I've followed for most of my music. The only departures from this approach are my two forthcoming albums, Ghosts of Nations and Infect the Clouds, which are mixed & mastered by professional studios. I currently intend to return to mixing and mastering myself for my future work after these two albums.
Is music your main occupation at the moment? If not, how are you conciliating your day job with your music career?
Yes, you could say that. Regarding hobbies, I've always been an avid and competitive PC gamer. I take my ranking in competitive games very seriously, consistently aiming to reach the top.
Have you ever been on tour? If not, would you like to embark on one? If yes, tell us about it.
I generally prefer not to engage with other people, though I can make exceptions. No further comment.
Who's your dream feature?
It's not something I've previously considered, so I don't have an answer for it.
Where do you see yourself in one year as a musician?
I constantly aim to better myself, so ideally, I'll be an improved version of who I am today.
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