Cinna Peyghamy

Cinna Peyghamy unveils new album fusing Persian tombak and modular synthesis. Five years in the  making, "Music For Tombak & Synth" bridges  heritage, technology, and personal identity. The project, initiated in 2019 during Peyghamy's  master's thesis research on contact microphones, was conceived as a means to reconnect with his  Persian roots while exploringexperimental sound design. In the album, Peyghamy seamlessly blends the traditional Persian tombak with modular synthesis and digital signal processing, creating a distinctive musical landscape that bridges live  improvisation and studio production. The album’s  genesis traces back to Peyghamy’s exploration of improvised electronic music and his desire to craft a performance-ready setup. Over several years, the project evolved from capturing the energy of his  live shows into a fully composed studio work.

"Music For Tombak & Synth" stands as the first  record where Peyghamy unites his dual identities  as a live performer and producer, resulting in a  body of work that reflects his deep connection to  family, memory, and cultural heritage. The album features personal elements such as his father’s  voice reciting the poetry of Ahmad Shamlo on the track Dar Shab , collaborations with long-time  friend Quelque Bourdon on clarinet, and the  evocative sounds of the Persian setar, all anchored  by the physicality and rhythms of the tombak. A sentiment further reflected in the album cover; a photograph taken by his father, Khosrow ‘Payram’ Peyghamy, picturing both his parents and  grandparents.

With this release, Peyghamy moves beyond  conventional boundaries of "traditional versus contemporary" or "acoustic versus electronic,"  instead offering a nuanced exploration of identity through sound. Each track serves as a keepsake,  referencing cherished memories, emotions, and musical influences that define his experience as a French-born artist of Iranian descent, unable to  visit his home country. "Music For Tombak & Synth" invites listeners to engage with a deeply personal
narrative, rooted in both cultural history and sonic innovation.