Review by Markus Hamence – Performance date: Saturday 24 August 2025. Nexus Live, Nexus Arts, Adelaide, South Australia
Welcome to the in‑the‑room magic of Maryam Rahmani’s Kamand album launch at Nexus Live – where ancient Persian modes shook hands with flamenco flair under the glow of Adelaide’s Nexus Arts Venue. Snag your metaphorical front‑row seat (albeit on cushions) as I, Markus (your friendly neighbourhood reviewer), take you through this mesmerising sonic soirée.
First Impressions: A Night Rooted in Rhythm and Resonance
Saturday, 23 August 2025. The vibe at Nexus Arts was cosy and electric – doors swung open at 6.30 pm, and a gathering of souls filled the space. Maryam Rahmani, Iranian-born and Adelaide-based, took to the stage to unveil Kamand, her debut album – a work that’s part improvisational exploration, part cultural conversation.
Kamand – or ‘Lasso’ in Persian – is as poetic a title as it gets, conjuring the idea of reaching out, weaving tradition and transformation, and corralling sounds into something altogether new.
“The improvisational core of every piece meant you never quite knew where a track would land… and that was half the thrill…” – Markus Hamence
The Soundscape: Improvisation Meets Intention
On stage, Maryam wielded her santur and kamancheh like extensions of her identity – fragile yet forceful. The improvisational core of every piece meant you never quite knew where a track would land… and that was half the thrill.
- Delbar, the lead single, was a highlight – psychedelic finger‑tapping santur, ghostly vocals spun heads from front to back.
- Khayyam, inspired by the southern Iranian ‘Khayyam Khani’ tradition, wove rhythm, kamancheh, and piano into a shared, ceremonial pulse that had the room subtly swaying in unison.
Each collaborator – David Moran (cello), Sebastian Collen (piano) – were conversation partners in sonic dialogue. The result? Layers upon layers of cultural weaving, warm experimentation, and welcome surprises.
“That delicate balancing act is what gives the album stirring tension – and why the live performance felt so alive…” – Markus Hamence
Thematic Meridian: Tradition in Dialogue with the New
What made this album launch and performance shine was Maryam’s candid exploration of acculturation – the sometimes lovely, sometimes discordant process of bridging two worlds. As she shared on Bandcamp, she doesn’t yet see the music as a new language; it’s still two languages trying to understand one another. And honestly? That’s precisely the emotional heart of Kamand.
It’s a bold conversation between Persian classical roots, mystic poetry (cue Hafez and Saadi Shirazi), and contemporary experimental textures. That delicate balancing act is what gives the album stirring tension – and why the live performance felt so alive.
“Maryam Rahmani lifted us, wrung every drop of dialogue out of her collaborators, and handed it to us in real time…” – Markus Hamence
The Takeaway: A Debut with Deep Roots and Wings to Fly
Kamand is NOT your run-of-the-mill debut piece of work – it’s a beautifully restless exploration of identity, memory, and belonging. Maryam Rahmani lifted us, wrung every drop of dialogue out of her collaborators, and handed it to us in real time.
- Impressively fluid improvisation grounded in tradition
- Cross-cultural interplay that felt both serious and playful
- A thematic core steeped in introspection and wonder
If you’re into music that’s as much about where it’s from as where it might go, Kamand – and Maryam herself – are names to remember. I await eagerly for the next performance.
Final Notes: Long May the Conversation Continue
Leave behind the idea that traditional instruments are just that – traditional. With Kamand, Rahmani shows how they can spark fresh narratives, connect distant worlds, and invite us to sit, listen, and maybe even offer our own rhythm.
It was a night where we were all made to feel family, not strangers, the unison in the room was pulsating. We came for the music and we got so much more… An education of humanity through the language of music.
Adelaide, we”ve got something special happening here. And I can already feel Kamand echoing through the seasons to come.
So, did you catch it live? Or planning to stream the album? I’m keen to hear your take.
Stay curious, stay bold – and keep those ears open.
Side note: A traditional spread was put on for us audience all lovingly produced by Maryam’s mother. And, I am a fan of the cultural delicacies. Her mother and father were both in the audience and their beaming pride lit the room.
Markus Hamence and Maryam Rahmani
