VoyageLA Interview, Hamid Saeidi 2023

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hamid Saeidi.
VoyageLA link

Hi Hamid, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was trained in the Radiff system of Persian Classical music from the age of 15, I have also studied Santoor (Persian hammered dulcimer) with many A-list Masters. I have also obtained an honor degree in music and have worked for the major Iranian National TV as a composer for eight years. I have received many international acclaim awards for performances in Iran, Greece, Ireland, Germany, England, Turkey, Canada, Malaysia and the United States.

I also have composed musical scores for more than 35 films, television programs, dance and theatrical presentations, including “Baran Dar Aftab” by Farshad Fereshteh Hekmat, “Javdanegi” by Farshad Fereshtehekmat, “Afsaneh Saheleh Tareek” by Reza Davari, “Letters from Tentland” by Helena Waldman and the dance presentation, “Avazhick,” at the celebrated Theatre Shahr in Tehran. My composition for the “Rastakhiz” have received awards at the Beirut film festival (2002), the Iran TV Festival (2002­-2004­-2007) and the Society of Critics of Theater in Iran (2005). In recognition of my accomplishments on the international stage. I have produced two multimedia performances for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2010, “Imaginary Knots” and 2012, “The Celebration”.

I have immigrated to Los Angels in 2009 and co­-founded “Opium Moon” which is a sensual and groovy collaboration of master musicians Lili Hayden,­ MB Gordy, and Itai Disraeli. The Album OPIUM MOON won the prestiges Grammy for the best “new age album” at the 61st Grammy Awards and we got nominated for the second time for the “Day& Night” album at the same category for the 64th Grammy Awards. Recently I have collaborated with White Sun band for their last album in “Mystic Mirror” which was the Best new age album in 65th Grammy Awards.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I believe working as a professional artist have never been a smooth road. Specially when are raised in a country that music is technically forbidden and the government only promotes and allows very specific Islamic-based music that helps their propaganda and vision.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My special instrument is Santoor (Iranian hammer dulcimer) and my bans’s specialty is New age music. I have played in 4 albums in the last four years and all of them got recognized/nominated or won the Grammys. Meanwhile, I’m honored to be the first Iranian musician who have won the Grammy and stood on that stage with my trophy. I have recently helped and advocated to support the recent Iranian women’s revolution/movement and helped the Academy to recognize Shervin Hajipour to receive the award for the best song for social change.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Unfortunately, I have lost my mother during Covid time and I was prohibited to go to Iran in the last five years and hence I have missed all the funerals and other services to say goodbye for the last time to my mother because of the Islamic republics regime. So the most important thing that I have learned from Covid was that I have to cherish my family and my loved ones since we don’t know how much time we will have to enjoy them in life if it’s not today.