What is the best thing that I love about my work? Creation, Life, Diverse Community, and Flexibility all exist in music. The best one is creation.

What is my idea of happiness? Happiness is like little sparks coming occasionally; if we’re lucky, we get more of those hitting us.

What is my greatest fear? Before, it was not being successful in music, and now it’s not being able to see my family and loved ones back home enough before we leave this world.

Photo credits: Brandon Perdomo

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Lack of trust

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? Jon Batiste, Adele, Googoosh, Shakira.

What is my greatest extravagance? Music Gear

On what occasion would I lie? I don’t lie, I don’t think there is anything in this world that is higher than the truth.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Lack of financial stability

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? When I formed my band to play my originals, when playing in theaters, when composing for films and when touring, of course.

If I could, what would I change about myself? I guess most women including me need more business risks.

What is my greatest achievement in work? I really don’t know, maybe getting the opportunity to travel the world and take my music everywhere, and introduce my culture to people around the world.

Where would I most like to live? My current place, New York City

What is my most treasured possession? being acceptable and adaptable

What is my most marked characteristic? boldness

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? Joe’s Pub, and music venues with diverse music.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city? Ravagh Restaurant, IX Restaurant

What books influenced my life and how? mostly Sadegh Hedayat’s books, I felt they were so deep. maybe I didn’t read them at a good age, to digest them better though.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Makhloogh by Googoosh

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Rostam from Shahnameh.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Yootaab (یوتاب) was an ancient Iranian warrior princess from the Achaemenid era (330 BCE). 

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? The Shawshank Redemption

What role play stories in my life and work? They inspire me, and give me some advice. when I was younger I used to take them super seriously till I got older and learned how to get my own stories out of my own life.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me? No one was there all the time constantly, except for me, I know how my story exactly was from my perspective.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? my mom and my sister.

Which people or companies would I like to work with ? Shakira, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Lana Delray, Addele, Miles Cyrus, Alicia Keys, Anoushka Shankar, Billie Eilish, Katy Perry

What project am I looking forward to work on? my album with my quartet Where can you see me or my work? I play live at places in NYC, such as Joe’s Pub, Barbes, Bar Lunatico, Terraza 7, … Also on Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? If you love to do something, you don’t feel you want to retire

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? Patrick Watson, Avishai Cohen,

How can you contact me? Email: Mehrnam.rastegari@gmail.com Instagram: mehrnam_rastegari