

ARE WE ON AIR ?
Arman Naféei
Are We On Air ? is a weekly interview series by Arman Naféei exploring the life’s soundtrack of global cultural figures and personalities within the fields of music, film, art, fashion, life and culture.
https://areweonair.com
www.instagram.com/areweonair/
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https://areweonair.com
www.instagram.com/areweonair/
www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 22, 2022 • 40min
Ep 78 // DANIEL ARSHAM
A trailblazer at the INTERSECTION OF THE WORLDS of art, fashion, sports, and music, to name a few - DANIEL ARSHAM makes moves that shake the very foundation, push the perceptions of, and bridge the gaps within pop culture.
From growing up in MIAMI to the steady beat of THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G., in 1994 - the height of the hip hop moment, to later moving to New York City and launching a hyper successful art career, ARSHAM has premiered as many show openings as he has had creative titles.
Being named the first ever creative director in the NBA for the Cleveland CAVALEIRS, Arsham’ core identity is unfazed by trends, but lives at the zeitgeist of THE NOW.
He’s always working, but when he’s in his studio there’s never a moment without music. Reminiscing on being a kid enthralled by A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, his propensity for visual STIMULATION, ACUITY, and MEMORY runs deep. An artist through and through, he recalls unpeeling the plastic and revealing the handpainted green, black and red colors of MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS.
ARMAN and ARSHAM spend the afternoon in LONDON, overlooking the city and diving into everything from the impact and INGENUITY VIRGIL ABLOH inspired in everyone around him, to ARSHAMS own future ambitions. This episode is not one to miss.
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Jul 15, 2022 • 39min
Ep 77 // THE ATTICO
This week, ARMAN is graced in Milan, Italy by not one but TWO close friends and COMPLIMENTARY POWERHOUSES, GILDA AMBROSIO AND GIORGIA TORDINI. Having dreamed up THE ATTICO together in September of 2015 and officially launched only FIVE MONTHS later, they embody a living example of the potent reality shifts that occur when total commitment to a dream is made. In TORDINI’S own words, she puts it best - “If you’re 100% sure of what you’re doing, and you have a strong idea - DO IT.”
Having each left their separate fashion consulting jobs to create a product that was missing from the fashion scene, AMBROSIO and TORDINI speak of imagining the woman who embodied a confidence and perspective as opulent as the highest floor in a building. CONFIDENCE, the heart of the brand, is right in line: attico, after all, translates in Italian to penthouse. They adapt each season by organically shaping this woman of confidence, diving into the music she listens to and her personality, for example. MUSIC IS NO BACKGROUND NOISE for these two. Instead, sound is FRONT AND CENTER to their creative process. With soundtracks locked and loaded, ARMAN and the duo grace through CHER, MADONNA, CERRONE, ARETHA, CHIC, and OMAR S. It’s hard to leave their atelier - which was originally built as an architects studio in mid-century style. Alas, ARMAN gets up and off the sofa, ready to dance with the duo and celebrate when dreams come to fruition, and great minds think alike.
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Jul 8, 2022 • 45min
Ep 76 // SEUN KUTI
Through music, we’re able to find each other. ‘MUSIC IS CALLING TOWARDS RESCUE.’
SEUN KUTI joins ARMAN in London. CHARISMATIC, CONVERSATIONAL, and FASCINATING - KUTI touches on the most important choice we make as humans: the commitment to make decisions in alignment with what kind of human you want to be. Calling to the youth, he explains why a real artist makes this choice - to create art that’s elevating. With this responsibility, there’s no room for the patronising, commodifying, or low vibrational.
KUTI speaks of the disconnection of the African people, describing the African spirit as uniting through music. In his own words, ’THE SKY MUST BE BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL BIRDS TO FLY.’ A dad and husband before anything, he picks The Supremes BABY LOVE as a song to describe him. Taking us through his childhood and teen years, KUTI is a natural born leader - first captain of his football team, then with big dreams to become an economist. Nevertheless, a lifelong career in music was spurred by his desire to wake up on his own schedule, and dedicate himself to a craft he will continue to distill through his entire life. ‘Music is the only thing you can do forever.’
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Jun 30, 2022 • 1h 4min
Ep 75 // KHRUANGBIN
Whether they’re hunting for records in the underground of a Seoul arcade, recording new music in an empty barn in the middle of a Texas bird sanctuary, KHRAUNGBIN is a real ORIGINAL.
LAURA LEE and DONALD JOHNSON (MARK SPEER unfortunately not present) join ARMAN to discuss what makes a band burn a LONG, SLOW BURN.
It’s all about feeling the music, - it becomes clear, as JOHNSON describes one day on a whim deciding to give Kool & The Gang’s SUMMER MADNESS a run through. That song, now a part of every set, has the kind of magic KHRAUNGBIN covets - a sexy, classic, layered, peaceful embrace for the ears.
Talks of ROY AYERS, THE POLICE, and those songs that LIVE IN MOVIE SCENES AND ONLY MOVIE SCENES make this episode a delight.
ARMAN waves goodbye and feverishly writes down the name of the arcade so he can visit next time in Seoul. We can all take a page from KHRAUNGBIN’s book.
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Jun 18, 2022 • 53min
Ep 74 // LUDOVIC DE SAINT SERNIN
Arman meets LUDOVIC DE SAINT SERNIN at his Marais atelier to find out why this rising star is on everyone’s lips.
Bonding over a bottle of champagne, LUDOVIC and Arman go through it all: fashion, Paris's burgeoning party scene, what being masculine means in 2022, the role music plays in his creative process, DJ'ing for his friends and what erotica sounds to him.
Known for his genre-defying collections, LUDOVIC is very adamant when asked what masculinity means to him: "MASCULINITY TODAY IS MORE ABOUT BEING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR EXPERIENCES AND THEN DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH THAT". We say bravo!
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Jun 16, 2022 • 55min
Ep 73 // CAMILLE CHARRIÈRE
It’s sunny in LONDON - which makes it the most beautiful place on earth. The birds are singing, and ARMAN has the pleasure of sitting down with the lovely as she is chic CAMILLE CHARRIÈRE. After changing careers from becoming a lawyer, CHARRIÈRE describes how living in London ‘gave her wings’ and taught her she didn't have to conform.
On experiencing the ART OF TOLERANCE, Charrière celebrates sweet individuality. In her own words, she says "music is a language in itself - we all have our own".
In her collection, PUCCINI, VERDI, CRYSTAL WATERS, LILLY ALLEN, PETULA CLARK and CHARLES AZNAVOUR rub shoulders. Explaining music's ability to find you when you need it the most, the song that seeks her is Amy Winehouse's 'Back to Black'.
Just like her style, she's timeless. Plotting a CLASSICAL MUSICAL REVOLUTION with the goal of sharing and spreading its gift with the younger generation - there's nothing she can’t do.
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Jun 13, 2022 • 11min
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 09
Arman's Voice Notes is Are We On Air's latest audio supplement, taking you on an audio voyage through Arman's latest travels and cultural findings.
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Jun 12, 2022 • 1h 9min
Ep 72 // CHRONIXX
CHRONIXX and ARMAN sit down in Paddington to discuss SOUND WARS IN THE SONIC WORLD, Bob Marley’s poetry which is only intended to be heard with a discerning ear, as well as the spontaneous combustion of innovation that is DANCEHALL MUSIC.
In his own words, Chronixx sets it straight: “MUSIC IS NOT LIKE ANY OTHER ART. WITH MUSIC, WE’RE MANIPULATING THE INVISIBLE.”
Growing up listening to gospel, 1980’s dancehall, reggae, and even Céline Dion, CHRONIXX is refreshingly unconcerned with following the zeitgeist of anything, and more focused on distilling the sounds that arise from culture as it operates at its highest level.
At this level of mixing, it’s all about cultures coming together to influence and educate each other - not taking or emulating patterns, but pushing them further. WE’LL ALL GO FAR TOGETHER - and Chronixx leads the way. Enjoy!
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May 27, 2022 • 1h 42min
Ep 71 // HOW LONG GONE
Chris Black, a cultural commentator known for his insights on music, fashion, and contemporary culture, joins Jason Stewart, a former DJ with a flair for nightlife, for a lively discussion. They explore the evolution of music distribution and its impact on fandom, arguing how today's accessibility reshapes identity. Both reflect on nostalgic moments tied to iconic songs and humorously contrast LA and NYC nightlife. From the charm of 70s fashion to the changing landscape of digital interactions, their eclectic conversation highlights music's enduring role in emotional connection and identity.

May 20, 2022 • 1h 15min
Ep 70 // THE BLESSED MADONNA
THE BLESSED MADONNA invites Arman to Hackney to dive into her fantastic repertoire. Referencing APHEX TWIN’S WINDOWLICKER, she describes her idea of the POWER OF CONVENTION: “Using convention shows people what world we’re in. Breaking convention shows people where the possibilities are.” INSIGHT comes naturally to THE BLESSED MADONNA; this duality of perspective she takes by not frowning upon, but instead BREAKING THROUGH convention applies beautifully to both the way she creates and the music which inspires her. A JOY to be in her presence, THE MADONNA makes Arman nearly fall out of his chair as she describes THE GREATEST NIGHT OF HER LIFE. It’s at Berghain where she’s been playing for so long that her JEANS RIP clean through the back. WE LOVE THE BLESSED MADONNA for her contagious sense of humour, shared love of ‘FOLLOW ME’ and Amanda Lear, as well as every other detail that makes her, HER. With a farewell, Arman finally catches his breath and we immediately add all of her songs to our playlist to study up.
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