Meet Shabnam J. Kermani

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shabnam J. Kermani a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shabnam, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

It’s funny because I think I am still looking for it!
Of course, the purpose of pursuing music (and my current purpose) is something that I found through the artistic environment my family raised me in (which I am extremely grateful for), and the the composers/musicians who inspired me. Aside from these factors, what pulled me towards this path is my love for stories. There is something so magical about how a story can be told, and something can be said AND felt through music, and how everyone can understand it in their own way. It is that sense of magic that I love, and to be able to share stories that way. Additionally, I think everyone – composers and listeners alike – bond with music in their own way, and it becomes a part of them, connecting to their thoughts and lives. There is also the feeling of sharing a part of your soul with others that I like, and how you can leave a trace of YOU in the world by composing, playing, or sharing music. Also, I think I always knew that I wanted music to be a core part of my life, and even if someday I change paths (purposes can change!), I know that I will still keep listening to, playing, and writing music, because it has become a way for me to interpret life itself and that will never go away. For now, the factors above are what helped me find my current purpose.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a music composer and producer based in LA, and have also worked as a multimedia artist, engineer, and educator. I have branched out to many different things throughout my career, and I do enjoy exploring new skills and fields, all of which I believe, can help me in my journey in music and life. I am originally from Tehran, Iran, and since moving to the U.S., I have tried to represent my culture in my work, and to find a balance between my life and experience in Iran and in the U.S. I began learning music in Iran at a young age, starting with the piano, and over the years, found my passion in writing music, composing for media, and also, in music technology. Working as an artist, and within the music world definitely has its ups and downs. There are times of massive inspiration, and times where it’s hard to even compose a short melody. I constantly experience both, and feel an uncertainty about the path I have chosen. BUT, the feeling I get when I listen to my favorite piece of music, when everything sounds “just right”, when it feels like I can touch the notes and sounds, and want to stay in that exact moment in time, THAT is the feeling that reminds me how special this field and art form is and gives me the will to keep going.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say the first thing is to find and keep your community. Having a support system is so important in any field of work, and has a lot of positive effects on your mindset. Community (and by this word I mean family, friends, colleagues, and really, everyone you often interact with) can help you grow, keep you motivated, and support you through the hard times. So, find your people, and keep them in your life.
Second, expand your skill set and try as many things as you can. It’s good to follow your passion and focus on one main path you want to pursue, but try to explore and experience things around and outside of that path too. My main path is film scoring and composition, but I also broadened my skills and perspective by learning about production, engineering, live visuals, and multimedia works. All these explorations have helped me to grow in my main path, and also, to unlock new paths and find new interests. So, look around your main goal and pick up information, skill, and experience in its related fields. I would even say look for non-related skills, because they give you a whole new point of view that can bring new and fresh things to your main field. For me, that was studying ancient archaeology and mythology. Not really related to music! But it has helped me immensely in storytelling, which is the base of all my works.
Lastly, and something that I myself still need to learn, is to balance the relationship between you and your art (or any other work). Make sure you spend time for yourself as much as you do for your art, because YOU need to be taken care of in order for your work to be taken care of. So, take care of yourself.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always excited to meet new people and fellow artists, and bring our ideas together to create something new. Since I specialize in film/media scoring and composition, of course I am always happy to work with filmmakers, directors, orchestras, solo musicians, ensembles, dancers, etc. But, as I am now exploring multimedia works as well, I love to work with visual artists, installation artists, live performers and also, anyone who wants to blend different media (new software or hardware), and subjects/concepts (history, social justice, etc.) with music and audio. I am a great fan of bringing different, and even contrasting, creative forms together. I think there is enough separation and isolation in the world, and it is within the creative field that every form of unity and harmony can be possible.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

1. Amin Golchinpour
2. Cole Nelson
3. Amin Golchinpour
4. Shirin Jafari
5. Ishaan Jagyasi
6. Ishaan Jagyasi

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