Ramin Sadighi is an influential Iranian musician and producer, recognized as the founder and CEO of Hermes Records, a label dedicated to promoting independent Persian music. Established in 1999, Hermes Records has played a crucial role in showcasing contemporary Persian genres, including jazz and experimental music. Mr. Sadighi is also the creator of the Show of Hands Music Festival, which emphasizes improvisation and community engagement within the music scene. With a career marked by international acclaim, including a Grammy nomination and the WOMEX award, Mr. Sadighi continues to shape the contemporary music landscape in Iran and beyond.
Mr. Ramin Sadighi
Musician, Producer, and CEO of Hermes Records
Thank you for the time you dedicated to the magazine.
- Please tell us about yourself, your background, and your journey into the music industry.
Born and raised in an artist family, I really didn’t need much effort or talent to get absorbed by art! My grandfather (Abolhassan Sadighi) was perhaps the legend among the persian classic sculptors. Almost all landmark monuments throughout Iran such as the Ferdowsi Square statue, Khayam in Laleh Park, the judges at the Central Court of Tehran, Ferdowsi and Nadershah statues in Mashad, Khayam in Neyshabour, Yaghoub Leyss in Zahedan, Hafez and Sa’adi in Shiraz or Avicenna in Hamadan speaks for itself. He was even commissioned by the city of Rome to build Ferdowsi’s marmor statue to be installed at the famous Villa Borghese Park. My father was also a musician and studied the conservatory and university of Vienna playing the Viola who inspired me to get attracted to music. Also not to mention the circle of their friends who all had an effective role to bring me on the rail of art.
I myself started to play the classical guitar since early childhood but once growing up and reaching the mid teenage years i realized that my fingers are too thick to slide on the guitar neck without creating buzz by hitting the neighboring strings! So at some point the Bass Guitar became my solution. But throughout all these early and further years, recording music with my portable audio recorder with a mini mic was as interesting. I recorded almost everything, from music of TV series or Movies from the speaker of our TV set, up to interesting programs on the radios or even my parent’s talks and discussions in the kitchen! Later and during my 20’s, playing music got more serious once we started to play in group with friends.
- Establishing a record label is no small feat, especially in a competitive industry. Can you share the story behind founding Hermes Records? What inspired you to pursue a career in this field, and what were your significant challenges in the process?
Throughout all these years of playing with friends, something bothered me a lot which was why that kind of music we were creating got stuck in our private circle only and no-one in the industry ever showed interest to our sample recordings to invest on? Am talking about the late 1980’s and early 90’s where the industry in Iran was mostly focused on the new stream of pop music and the conventional Persian or Western Classic/Folk music. Nothing out of these criteria had the chance to be seen and heard. But our music was rather experimental and roaming through Jazz, Contemporary and Rock. I was thinking that maybe we ourselves should try to bring it to the listeners and honestly, since i always felt that my ears are working better than my hands, so the idea grew more in me to create an environment to let others play and i do the recording. And voila! I ended up establishing Hermes Records where I started to do my favorite job –which was recording. For the first couple of years I released only music from our own circle of friends such as Peyman Yazdanian, Christophe Rezai, Ali Boustan, … or some out of the mainstream works from my father’s network such as famous musicians like Ahmad Pejman, Loris Tjeknavorian, Alireza Mashayekhi…
- The Show of Hands Festival serves as a vibrant platform for musical expression and community connection. What motivated you to create the Show of Hands Music Festival, and how do you envision its impact on the music community? Can you share an overview of what the show entails?
Coming to music, Improvisation was and is the most attracting phenomena for me and always dreamed of having an event which concentrates on it. After years of experiences in organizing concerts in Iran and many other countries such as Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, S.Korea, England, Hungary, France… and also the good recognition Hermes Records achieved on the international music scene (especially after our Grammy Nomination in 2007 and i myself receiving the famous WOMEX award in 2015), i felt that am fit enough to dare and kickstart the idea. So, in 2016 i launched it and in 2017 the first edition was held.
- Focusing on jazz and contemporary music opens room for rich artistic expression. Why did you choose these genres for the Show of Hands Festival, and how do they enhance the audience experience?
One of the things that the school of jazz teaches is that for becoming a good musician you need to be a good listener first, then you could be able to express yourself better. And what the contemporary music scene delivers is patience and persistence -regardless of other’s opinions. Combining these creates a thriving environment in which freedom, respect, diversity, feeling of belonging and especially the joy of experiencing everything in a community emerges. Something that first evolves within the musician circle and accordingly impacts the audience too. Maybe that is the reason that all Show of Hands participants never consider this as an event on which they just come to play and then go. They all stay in the community. Even if on a specific edition they are not invited, they still support and contribute. We call ourselves the Show of Hands Tribe!
- What criteria do you use when selecting artists from different countries and cultures for your events?
I have no specific criteria. Although the ability to improvise is very important. But despite that, i rather rely on my feelings and build up connection with those whom i feel will understand the concept of the festival (which i have mentioned in reply to your previous question). Because there are numerous great musicians in the world but sometimes i feel that they don’t necessarily share the same perspective or approach so, simply just won’t invite them!
- The integration of AI in music composition presents both opportunities and setbacks. What role do you see AI playing in the future of the music industry, particularly regarding live performances and recordings?
Unfortunately i don’t see AI much as a tool and more like an alien life-form! So am quite scared of it. You might say that any new coming technology built resistance in the society at the beginning until it gradually got integrated. True but coming to AI, i don’t have the same feeling. It is a long discussion and probably not to dive deep here but just very brief: I am scared! Very scared! Actually on our next edition of the festival, one of the discussion panels is dedicated to the impact of AI in making music. The title we chose for thes session is “The Carpet or Solomon himself?”
- Reflecting on your career, what has been your most rewarding experience? Is there anything you would have approached differently?
The most rewarding is to be still able of doing what i cherish and value and love for my whole life which is making music! If i go back in time, i would probably follow the same path but if i was about to start the idea today, considering my present expertise, there will be numerous things that i would like to do differently. But at the end of the day, it is a great privilege and blessing to have a job which is your deep-in-the-heart-rooted hobby. Now I have a Jobby for 25 years!
- As you look ahead, where do you see yourself in the coming years? Do you have plans to expand your show to other countries, and are there any exciting collaborations or projects in the works?
There are some ideas evolving but still not fit to deploy. Moving the festival from Tehran to Istanbul was a big challenge itself therefore, i prefer not to do any new stunt action for the time being and let it grow in the new environment organically. But as the festival is really not a normal annual event and the gathering of passionate hearts, we on the tribe are thinking to develop an idea and make Show of Hands (with its attributes and attitudes) tour around world, instead of just Artists doing the touring individually!
- Emerging artists often seek guidance as they navigate their careers. What advice would you give new musicians looking to break into the music scene?
Do the thing you believe in and don’t care what others say. Because if so, you are doing the music others want. I refer to a quote of a very dear musician friend of mine- the Dutch composer and pianist Wolfert Brederode: “If your message is honest, it really doesn’t matter what you play. It will find the ears.”
- Your work has left a lasting impact as a significant figure in the music scene. What legacy do you hope to leave behind through these influential platforms?
I never thought of it! And also won’t! Because whatever i did -and hopefully will-, was just for my own pleasure. If it made an impact so far, i just can feel blessed, honored, privileged and grateful. But i never intended for!
I really enjoyed the interview and the interesting questions you shared which made me think and re-think!
