Mehrnam Rastegari’s 'Dislocated Pulse' Arrives, Persian Psych Rock Reimagined

Photo Credit: Maarten Moojiman.

One of New York City’s best-kept musical secrets is finally out in the open. Award-winning composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and master of the kamancheh, the Persian bowed spiked fiddle, Mehrnam Rastegari released her much-anticipated debut album Dislocated Pulse Friday, November 21.

Rastegari leads a powerhouse quartet of NYC-based musicians, guitarist Amit Peled, bassist Panagiotis Andreou, drummer Dani Danor, and special guest percussionist Martin Shamoonpour on daf and dayereh, through a journey that fuses centuries-old Persian storytelling with a fearless psych-rock edge. Across six original compositions and a reimagined Kurdish folk piece, Dislocated Pulse balances the otherworldly voice of the kamancheh with contemporary grooves, electronic textures, and bold improvisation.

The album is a study in contrasts and tensions. “I’m Longing” speaks to exile and the ache of homesickness, while “Let Me Be Happy” wrestles with the desire for joy amidst anger and dislocation. Tracks like “Velveleh” and “Naz” revel in the irregularity of rhythm, embracing a pulse that refuses to stay steady. Distortion, jagged grooves, and microtonal melodies push the music into uncharted territory, creating a sonic landscape that is at once ancient and urgently modern.

Rastegari’s approach is rooted in deep musical heritage. Born in Iran in 1991, she began studying tombak at eleven before discovering the violin and eventually the kamancheh. Captivated by the instrument’s expressive depth, she made her debut within six months, beginning a path that would fuse Persian microtonality with rock, psych, and fusion.

Today, she leads three ensembles in New York City, the Mehrnam Rastegari Traditional Persian Band, the Balkan-Persian trio Senavazi, and Chogan, a one-of-a-kind Middle Eastern psych-rock band. Across these projects, she continues to expand the possibilities of Persian music while mentoring a new generation of musicians across Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey.

Her international credits are as eclectic as her sound, performances at the Bill Gates Goalkeepers 2024 event with Jon Batiste, WOMEX, GlobalFest, Pitchfork Music Festival, Le Guess Who?, and even the United Nations. She has scored more than ten films, winning “Best Original Score” at the Melbourne City Independent Film Awards.

With Dislocated Pulse, Mehrnam Rastegari announces herself as a fearless innovator, a musician unafraid to collide heritage and experimentation with force and finesse. The result is music that lingers, pulses, and unsettles in the best possible way, proof that the kamancheh, the ancient voice of Persian culture, has found a fearless modern storyteller.

FOLLOW MEHRNAM RASTEGARI

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

About the Journalist:

Anne Connor is a contributing writer for

The Sound Cafe, known for her thoughtful, globally-minded storytelling and her ability to spotlight artists who push boundaries across genres and cultures.

With a background in creative writing and a deep passion for uncovering the human stories behind the music, she brings a compassionate, curious lens to every feature. Her work celebrates innovation, resilience, and the connective power of sound.