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2007 Saqisounds Music
Saqi Dosaj
In Persian mythology she was a muse
serving the poets and musicians wine,
but if this album is any indication, it
sounds as if this time Saqi has drank
from her own cup of inspiration.
In the build up to her impending 2009
second album and tour, Saqi Dosaj is
re-releasing ‘We the People’, her
remarkable debut of spoken word,
poetry and music. Written in 2003
amidst a heated presidential election,
this politically charged recording is full
of thought provoking ideas and witty
social commentary. Now that the race
for the White House is well and truly
under way, Saqi’s eloquently worded
observational style proves as relevant
today as it did its initial impetus.
The recipient of praise over the last
five years, ‘We the People’ has
become a success on commercial and
student radio stations nationwide. Saqi’
s ever expanding fan base has also
benefited hugely from the internet and
advocates of this release admire her
fluid poetics and courageous opinions.
However, having spent five years of her
childhood trapped in fundamentalist
Iran with her liberal parents, Saqi is no
stranger to adversity.
Amidst the Iran/Iraq conflict of the
early 1980s Saqi was in constant
danger but by sneaking out and
smuggling her violin to secret lessons,
in a country where classical music was
forbidden, it shows that even at that
early age she was committed to her
own expressive freedom.
serving the poets and musicians wine,
but if this album is any indication, it
sounds as if this time Saqi has drank
from her own cup of inspiration.
In the build up to her impending 2009
second album and tour, Saqi Dosaj is
re-releasing ‘We the People’, her
remarkable debut of spoken word,
poetry and music. Written in 2003
amidst a heated presidential election,
this politically charged recording is full
of thought provoking ideas and witty
social commentary. Now that the race
for the White House is well and truly
under way, Saqi’s eloquently worded
observational style proves as relevant
today as it did its initial impetus.
The recipient of praise over the last
five years, ‘We the People’ has
become a success on commercial and
student radio stations nationwide. Saqi’
s ever expanding fan base has also
benefited hugely from the internet and
advocates of this release admire her
fluid poetics and courageous opinions.
However, having spent five years of her
childhood trapped in fundamentalist
Iran with her liberal parents, Saqi is no
stranger to adversity.
Amidst the Iran/Iraq conflict of the
early 1980s Saqi was in constant
danger but by sneaking out and
smuggling her violin to secret lessons,
in a country where classical music was
forbidden, it shows that even at that
early age she was committed to her
own expressive freedom.
| visit Saqi's Myspace page |
A serious part of the National spoken word and poetry scene, Saqi has been encouragingly likened to the incredible Ani Difranco, but by firmly
rooting her creativity in personal mysticism, Saqi has an organically formed voice which is truly independent. She says: “I live for the experience
of inspiration and the satisfaction of creative expression, that’s the biggest “high” for me.”
In New York the technical help of Tony Conniff was enlisted to capture the cathartic nature of Saqi’s poetry on CD. Previously having worked with
spoken word performance artist Alix Olson, Conniff has experience in the field and on this occasion he was able to produce a set of compositional
accompaniments which sit harmoniously with Saqi’s unique voice and message.
‘We the People’ is available to buy now.
Watch out for Saqi Dosaj’s second album entitled ‘Saqi’ and her tour in 2009.
rooting her creativity in personal mysticism, Saqi has an organically formed voice which is truly independent. She says: “I live for the experience
of inspiration and the satisfaction of creative expression, that’s the biggest “high” for me.”
In New York the technical help of Tony Conniff was enlisted to capture the cathartic nature of Saqi’s poetry on CD. Previously having worked with
spoken word performance artist Alix Olson, Conniff has experience in the field and on this occasion he was able to produce a set of compositional
accompaniments which sit harmoniously with Saqi’s unique voice and message.
‘We the People’ is available to buy now.
Watch out for Saqi Dosaj’s second album entitled ‘Saqi’ and her tour in 2009.
saqi (sáki / sáa-kee) n. 1. She who serves intoxicating drinks. 2.
The Cupbearer, the Maiden who pours the wine. 3. Wine-bearer,
sometimes symbolizing the creative spirit of God.
Hundreds of years ago, in the olden days of the east, once the queens
had retired to their chambers, the work of the Saqis would begin.
Serving the kings drinks and providing them pleasure, the Saqis were
beautiful, sensual women. They were the inspiration for many Urdu
poets who wrote of wine, taverns, and drunkenness. In their symbolic
language of love, "wine" represented the divine love that intoxicates
the soul; "getting drunk" meant losing oneself in that love; the "cup"
referred to one's body and mind; and the Saqi was the grace-
bestowing aspect of God that fills the soul's empty cup with the wine of
love.
