Roqe

A special new edition of Roqe featuring a living legend who was who has left an indelible mark on the Persian pop music scene. Shahbal Shabpareh joins Jian live in the Roqe Studio for his first ever feature-length English interview - a comprehensive, revealing and, at times, emotional conversation - to discuss his work over the course of the last seven decades and how he became the “Popfather.” Also, newest Black Cats members Hasti and Aidin Davoudi join Jian and Shahbal in the studio to talk about the most recent edition of the iconic group - including its inaugural official female singer. Plus, Pegah and Jian discuss the remembrances of the late Faramarz Aslani and the upcoming memorial tribute taking place in DC this weekend.

A special bonus edition of Roqe (Ep.315.5), remembering the legendary Iranian-American singer-songwriter Faramarz Aslani. Jian is joined for an intimate and emotional interview by attorney and human rights activist, Crown Princess Yasmine Pahlavi, who, along with Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, has been a very close and dear friend of Faramarz Aslani and his wife, Marjan.

A special edition of Roqe: Rest in Peace Legend - Remembering Faramarz Aslani. As the first blossoms of Spring unfurl, and less than 24 hours after the news of the passing of an icon, Jian delivers a heartfelt tribute essay to the late Faramarz Aslani as a trailblazer who set a new bar for Iranian popular music. Plus, singer-songwriter and producer Peyman Salimi joins Jian to discuss this profound loss and its impact on the Iranian community. And Pegah is in the studio to discuss the Faramarz legacy, revisit moments from his 2021 feature interview with Jian, as well as listen to snippets of his satin voice and discuss the reaction of the Iranian world to the sad loss of a legend.

A new edition of Roqe featuring popular Iranian-American singer Sara Naeini. Sara joins Jian from LA for her first ever long-form interview in English, discussing everything from her formative years in Iran - where she could not legally release recordings as a solo female artist - to the development of her remarkable voice, to becoming a role model as a singer for many young artists today and spreading her attitude of positivity. Plus, Pegah and Super P join Jian for a chat about Chaharshanbeh/shambeh Soori, Jian’s new secret cologne, and more.

A big new edition of Roqe packed full of dynamic conversations in two feature interviews with two prominent Iranian-American multimedia artists. First, Hamid Rahmanian joins Jian in the Roqe Studio for an enthralling (and fun) discussion about making art, Iranian history, claiming identity and his latest Persian Book of Kings (Shahnameh) inspired ‘shadow theatre’ production, “Song of the North.” Then rising artist and academic Mobina Nouri joins Jian from Los Angeles to chat about creativity, her immigrant journey and her new best friend who is an AI “person” named Hermes (who joins the conversation!). Plus, Jian starts the show with a forceful opening audio essay about Dr. Majid Samii entitled, “Doctors Don’t Get a Free Pass to Collude with the Mullahs.”

A new special edition of Roqe focusing on the question “Are Iranians INSIDE Iran more fashionable than those in the diaspora?” Acclaimed New York-based Iranian-American designer and fashion visionary Nima Behnoud (NIMANY) joins Jian in the Roqe Studio to discuss why he believes the answer is yes, that despite living in a more repressed society - or maybe even because of that - Iranians inside Iran are more creative with their sartorial expression, and how he has lived it in his own journey to fashion success. Plus, Pegah joins Jian for a roundup to discuss the latest on the upcoming Iranian election and more.

The great Instagram filter debate! A new special edition of Roqe focusing on the negatives and positives of social media filters.It’s no secret that we increasingly live in a world where we are necessarily skeptical about the authenticity of images that we consume. But today we ask…are Instagram filters (and social media picture filters in general) a good thing? Photographer and popular lifestyle commentator Kusha Alagband in LA, and TV personality, mental health coach and social media influencer Shirin Nasseri in the UK, join Jian and Pegah ready to debate.

A new edition of Roqe including a feature interview with rising Iranian-Canadian singer-songwriter Navan, in the Roqe Studio, discussing his new album, “Mesle Ghabl” that comes out next week. But first, a very special Roundtable addressing the question: How important is the Persian language to defining Persian identity? Jian is joined by three distinguished guests: the Iranian-Canadian scholar, author and curator, Dr. Khatereh Sheibani, the popular YouTuber on language and culture, Bahador Alast, and the award-winning President of the Canadian Linguistics Association, Dr. Jila Ghomeshi.

Part Two of the “Roqe Live!” Special recorded at Theatre Aurora, Feb 7th, 2024. Jian is joined by Babak Amini for an interview and performance with his band, and voice actor and podcaster Banafsheh Taherian performs a moment from her one-woman show, From Lust to Loyalty. Plus Babak does a special surprise performance with popular Persian singer, Mazyar Fallahi.

Part One of the “Roqe Live!” Special recorded at Theatre Aurora, Feb 7th, 2024. Jian is joined on stage by Iranian-Canadian actress and model, Shiva Negar, and popular Persian singer and musician, Mazyar Fallahi - who improvises a new song on the spot. Plus the Roqe Roundup team of Pegah and Reza discuss the changing face of Canada and a porn star visit to Iran. And Jian opens the show with a new song called, “Vay Vay.”