Makan Ashgvari is a Tehran-based musician, singer, producer, and performer whose work moves fluidly between sound, performance, and visual storytelling. With over two decades of artistic practice, he has established himself as one of the most versatile figures in Iran’s independent music scene.
His albums “To Trucks”, “Far”, and “Then Go” explore the intersections of intimacy and abstraction, merging Persian lyrical traditions with contemporary composition and electronic experimentation. As a producer, Ashgvari has shaped the sound of numerous projects, including Kamakan’s debut album and several records for He and His Friends, crafting rich soundscapes that bridge folk memory and digital innovation.
Ashgvari’s live performances bring together music, theatre, and conceptual design, often blurring the line between stage and ritual. He has performed at venues such as Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, La Seine Musicale Paris, Acud Macht Neu and Silent Green Berlin, as well as at Tehran’s Tadaex Festival, drawing audiences into immersive sonic experiences that speak of longing, transformation, and defiance.
Beyond performance, Ashgvari is also an actor, writer, and director, with works like Green Short Sleeves, Nectar, and Hiccup revealing his narrative depth and performative range. He has appeared in acclaimed theatre productions such as Woyzeck and Le Retour du Fils Prodigue.
Committed to community and collaboration, he founded Otaghkar, a creative platform supporting independent musicians in Iran through workshops, recordings, and live sessions. As the director of Bazshenid Festival, he curated 26 artists and bands across 21 nights in Tehran, strengthening local artistic networks and encouraging experimentation.
Through his interdisciplinary practice, Makan Ashgvari continues to expand the landscape of contemporary Iranian art. His work resonates with themes of identity, freedom, and belonging—reminding audiences that sound can be both resistance and refuge.