Lily Moayeri

music journalist since 1992 | educator since 2004 | podcaster since 2020 | Iranian American since birth

The Land of the Not Free

Feature on freedom of speech and musicians in Iran for SPIN September 2024 Issue: The Land of the Not Free In the US we take freedom of speech for granted. … Continue reading

October 15, 2024 · Leave a comment

Can Rap save Iran?

Filmmaker Omid Mirnour interviewed about his documentary Rap and Revolution Iran for Book and Film Globe: Can Rap save Iran? A new documentary highlights the constant oppression that brave Iranian rappers face … Continue reading

June 25, 2024 · Leave a comment

Peter Gabriel on Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi: ‘This is Barbaric and Must Stop’

Feature on how creatives in the West are joining forces to save dissident Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi‘s life for SPIN: Peter Gabriel on Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi: ‘This is Barbaric … Continue reading

May 22, 2024 · Leave a comment

Mina Alikhani Represents the Islamic Republic’s Capital Offense of “Crimes Against God” Using the Female Form

Iranian American visual artist Mina Alikhani interviewed ahead of her exhibition Crimes Against God for Fine Art Globe: Mina Alikhani Represents the Islamic Republic’s Capital Offense of “Crimes Against God” Using … Continue reading

May 9, 2024 · Leave a comment

“A Revolution On Canvas”—a daughter’s quest to reclaim her dissident father’s paintings from Tehran

Filmmakers Sara Nodjoumi and Till Schauder interviewed about their documentary, A Revolution on Canvas, for Fine Art Globe: “A Revolution On Canvas”—a daughter’s quest to reclaim her dissident father’s paintings from … Continue reading

March 11, 2024 · Leave a comment

Pictures of Lily Podcast: Episode 4.76: Taylor Hanson on the Iranian Protest Anthem “Baraye”

In the 76th episode of the Pictures of Lily Podcast, I am joined by Taylor Hanson who reads the “as told to” portion of the most recent article I wrote … Continue reading

October 11, 2023 · Leave a comment

Taylor Hanson on the Iranian Protest Anthem “Baraye” and Telling ‘A Human Story Through Music’

Taylor Hanson interviewed for the release of “Baraye – For Women Life Freedom” for SPIN: Taylor Hanson on the Iranian Protest Anthem “Baraye” and Telling ‘A Human Story Through Music’ Taylor, … Continue reading

September 9, 2023 · Leave a comment

The Revolution Will Be Taped

Excerpt from The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Record Store: A Global History, the book in which I have a chapter, accompanied by a little background on the book on … Continue reading

July 18, 2023 · Leave a comment

How one Iranian-American teen’s bootleg mixtape circuit ‘allowed us to mainline Western entertainment once again’ (exclusive book excerpt)

Excerpt from The Life, Death, and Afterlife of the Record Store: A Global History, the book in which I have a chapter, accompanied by a little background information on me on … Continue reading

July 10, 2023 · Leave a comment

The People of Iran Are Not Backing Down

Interviewed for Abraham Lincoln High School‘s newspaper, The Railsplitter, by sophomore journalism student Charlotte Ly, about my experiences growing up under the oppressive Islamic regime in Iran and activism during … Continue reading

March 29, 2023 · Leave a comment

Iranian Alternative Artists Speak Out for Their Persecuted Compatriots in Iran

  Amir Amor of Rudimental, Rami Sakurai of Supreme Beings of Leisure, Kittens, Hamid Saeidi of Opium Moon & Hengameh, Nostalgix and Kamtin Mohager of Chain Gang of 1974 and … Continue reading

March 23, 2023 · Leave a comment

A Lived History Presentation for “To Iran With Love” Art Gala

Lily Moayeri: A Lived History Presentation for United Iranian Americans‘ “To Iran With Love” art gala at Casa Madera in the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood on March 18, 2023. … Continue reading

March 18, 2023 · Leave a comment

The Heart and Resilience of Iran’s Dance Music Community

Interviewed by Harry Levin for this comprehensive article on Iran and electronic musicians for Beatportal: The Heart and Resilience of Iran’s Dance Music Community  

March 16, 2023 · Leave a comment

Pictures of Lily Podcast: Episode 4.69: Taylor Hanson

In the 69th episode of the Picture of Lily Podcast, I talk about my recent experiences with Taylor Hanson in connection with his activism for the people, particularly the women, … Continue reading

March 8, 2023 · Leave a comment

Taylor Hanson Rents Henson’s ‘We Are the World’ Recording Studio to Rework Iranian Protest Anthem ‘Baraye’ as Industry-Wide Collaboration

Taylor Hanson interviewed for his work with nonprofit For Women Life Freedom and the collective recording of “Baraye – For Women Life Freedom” for Variety: Taylor Hanson Rents Henson’s ‘We … Continue reading

January 31, 2023 · Leave a comment

Spotify Launches ‘Women of Iran’ Playlist

News item on the launch of an official Spotify playlist called “Women of Iran” and its accompanying video clips for Variety: Spotify Launches ‘Women of Iran’ Playlist Listen to the … Continue reading

January 30, 2023 · Leave a comment

There’s Now an Electronic Remix Package of Iranian Protest Anthem ‘Baraye’

News story on the release of “Baraye” remix package spearheaded by DJ/producer Human Rias for Billboard: There’s Now an Electronic Remix Package of Iranian Protest Anthem ‘Baraye’ The lead remix … Continue reading

January 27, 2023 · Leave a comment

‘Woman, Life, Freedom’: Hear a New Electronic Compilation From 12 Iranian Female Producers

News item on the release of Woman, Life, Freedom, a compilation of all original electronic music from Iranian female musicians for Billboard: ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’: Hear a New Electronic Compilation From … Continue reading

January 20, 2023 · Leave a comment

‘It Breaks My Heart’: Iranian Electronic Artists Dubfire, Lady Faith & Starfari on the Country’s Ongoing Protests & The Beauty of Their Culture

Dubfire, Lady Faith and Starfari interviewed about their experiences in Iran and what it means to be Iranian at the time of the current uprising in that country for Billboard: … Continue reading

January 11, 2023 · Leave a comment

SPIN Managing Editor Liza Lentini on Pretty Good Year: My Top Stories Of 2022

SPIN‘s managing editor Liza Lentini on Pretty Good Year: My Top Stories of 2022 which includes my piece on “Googoosh and the Daughters of the Revolution.” Check out Liza’s whole list: Pretty … Continue reading

December 23, 2022 · Leave a comment

Female Executives of Iranian Descent Making an Impact in the Music Industry

Music executives Debra Delshad of Angry Mob Music, Izabelle Pourreza Wilson of Artium Music and Rebecca Sahim of SalXCo talk about their experiences being Iranian and the current upheavals in … Continue reading

December 16, 2022 · Leave a comment

Pictures of Lily Podcast: Episode 3.66: Googoosh

In the 66th episode of the Picture of Lily Podcast, I talk about my lifetime of connections with iconic Iranian signer Googoosh and how the effect of the current uprisings … Continue reading

December 14, 2022 · 1 Comment

Guest on Don’t Kill the Vibe Podcast Speaking About Music and Politics in the Context of the Iran Revolution

Guested on an episode of Don’t Kill the Vibe Podcast speaking about music and politics, particularly in the context of the 2022 Iran Revolution with hosts Katie Bain and Zel McCarthy … Continue reading

November 15, 2022 · Leave a comment

15 Essential Iranian Protest Songs in the Wake of Mahsa Amini’s Death

Listicle of Iranian protest songs that have emerged in the wake of Mahsa Amini‘s death for Variety: 15 Essential Iranian Protest Songs in the Wake of Mahsa Amini’s Death

October 18, 2022 · Leave a comment

Ali Araghi: The Immortals of Tehran

Reviewed for Book and Film Globe: Ali Araghi: The Immortals of Tehran Watch a two-minute book talk on The Immortals of Tehran from me.

April 20, 2021 · Leave a comment

Tech Is Music To Their Ears

Feature in the Los Angeles Times Calendar Section March 8, 2020 Edition: Tech Is Music To Their Ears: Smuggled tapes in the ’80s, VPNs today, Iran youth rely on bootleg Western … Continue reading

March 8, 2020 · Leave a comment

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