ARE WE ON AIR ?

POWER is a language IAN ISIAH invented himself. Thanks to GOSPEL for the the introduction to his musicianship, and later on the hot and heavy backbeat of R&B, ISIAH radiates fearless sexuality, free spirited expression, and deep humility for those he idolises that came before him. These artists are deeply ingrained into the fabric of his life - whether it’s the montage of Whitney Houston in his room, or the way he pauses in conversation to harmonise Mary J Blige’s “my life, my life, my life,” ISIAH’s joy is contagious. BIG HEART ENERGY, a flow he’s been able to really step into since the start of the pandemic, pours through him as he describes the first time he fell in love with Beyonce, through “Gift From a Virgo.” In his own words, ISIAH reminds us that LOVE IS A VERB. In that same spirit, it’s refreshing to hear that while ISIAH’s never stops learning from his idols (JAMES BROWN, LUTHER VANDROSS, TANK) he remains as open to the new generation of music as the old. ISIAH reignites POWER in us, leaving us with a message - “love is actionable.” https://areweonair.com/ian-isiah https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

Under the lobby of the Regina Louvre Hotel in Paris, techno powerhouse NINA KRAVIZ revisits the most influential tracks that have defined her status as a selector today. Unashamedly a free-spirit, NINA talks with ARMAN about everything from her childhood favs to the importance of silence and solitude. You’re in for an utmost crucial two-hour conversation you don’t want to miss. Queue up and strap in. https://areweonair.com/nina-kraviz https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

With a penchant for spontaneity, MERT ALAS brings us back to when he first felt the power of music while sneaking out into the concert halls at his classical conservatory boarding school in Ankara and looking for ghosts. Coming of age in the early nineties in London, fashion and self expression are a part of his hard wired DNA. After 29 years of Mert & Marcus taking over the world with their craft, Mert describes claiming the right of self expression as an act of respect and an uncompromisable quality in their vision. Drawn to Turkish psychedelic rock from the 60’s for its own MIND MANIFESTING self expression, Mert references the way his childhood experiences of being dragged into loud Turkish tavernas in the 80’s leaves a lasting impact on how he experiences music and art. With an energetic magnetism like Mert’s, it’s no surprise to hear him tell the story of how he first met Bjork, for example. Tune in, pop open some @seventyonegin to be reinvigorated with the hot pulse of deep 90’s house, and the romantically tragic vocals of George Michael that make up the soundtrack to Mert’s life. https://areweonair.com/mert-alas https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

Arman's Voice Notes is Are We On Air's latest audio supplement, taking you on an audio voyage through Arman's latest travels, people and cultural findings. Arman talks basking in the Ibiza sun while listening to Sven Väth's upcoming record, Catharsis, and Virgil Abloh's final show at the helm of Louis Vuitton. Time is also used to reflect on the serendipity of shazaming music in the neighborhood of Los Feliz and what that tells you about the importance of keeping you ears (and mind) open. https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

Following AMANDA LEAR through the soundtrack to her life is pure pleasure. From her dreams of being a painter leading her to befriend SALVADOR DALÍ, creating a wild persona for herself modeled off SUPERWOMAN, to holding a real live PANTHER on a leash for the cover of ROXY MUSIC’s For Your Pleasure, Lear is an absolute icon for trailblazing her own way without asking permission - the EPITOME of CHARISMA. Join Arman and Amanda in this episode which KICKS OFF SEASON 3 to the absolutely UNAPOLOGETIC tempo of upbeat DISCO. More than disco, we will learn from the QUEEN herself; starting from her years at art school, living in the latin quarter of Paris. A natural born storyteller, Lear shares the trajectory of her music career from the moment DAVID BOWIE noticed the beauty in her voice and encouraged her to SING, to going her own way without looking back and recording FOLLOW ME in Munich. Unlike music, it’s the ongoing process of painting which most inspires Lear and keeps her happy. She says it best in her own words: “because I paint, I feel much more balanced. Painting helped me a lot. Otherwise, like everybody else, I would have to take drugs.” If anyone can tell a story with GUSTO TO SPARE, it’s Lear. Captivating ears for generations, it’s a standing ovation for Ep 55 of Season 3 starring AMANDA LEAR. https://areweonair.com/amandalear https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

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. On his first episode, Arman goes through what he has been up to for the last 6 months. Highlights include Are We On Air ?'s very fist pop up at Berlin's Unter den Linden, #ValentinoRendezVous in Paris and Prada Club in Moscow. https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

‘So long and so young and so beautiful’, CAMÉLIA JORDANA and Arman bond over their love of Maria Callas in celebration of #ValentinoRendezVous. Between whispering harmonies of Calla's The Barber of Seville and Nina Simone’s I Get Along Without You Very Well, Jordana explains her admiration for the women who came before her and their strength in communicating their powerful truths for the world, no matter how intense and sincere. Naming the “magic combo,” Jordana empathizes with the 'sadness, love and tenderness' throughout Nina Simone’s repertoire. Growing up in an Algerian and Berber Kabyle family, Jordana describes music as a way of living, and rhythm a gift from her roots. Accompanying her mother to her singing classes at the tender age of two, she describes learning to sing at the same time as learning to speak deep inside her musical identity. The shared space between singing and speaking are felt not only as she shares the soundtrack to her life, but sings it too. Crediting Doris Day’s Que Sera Sera as a steady source of inspiration to trust in the future, and trust in herself, Camélia says goodbye - taking a piece of all of our hearts with her. https://areweonair.com/camelia-jordana https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

Tucked inside the busy streets of Marais's Le Carreau du Temple, Arman Naféei rendezvous with French artist ICHON in celebration of #ValentinoRendezVous. Discussing ideas currently distilling in his mind, Ichon finds inspiration in the beauty of contrast. Welcoming listeners into this delicate balance, Ichon shares a line he wrote from "+ C'est pas le moment": "Prends-moi par la main sans la retenir,' (Hold my hand, but don't keep it.) For Ichon, words come first in their simplicity, but second to the importance of feeling and understanding. With a talent for feeling the nuance and contrast in writing, Ichon shares that his music conveys emotions deeply personal to his life, yet universal in their nature. Without the need to catch your attention,Ichon masters the art of subtlety, maintaining the mystery and nuance that make experience beautiful. Delve into Ichon's world for a mise-en-scène of music featuring Michael Jackson and Caetano Veloso. What's not to love? https://areweonair.com/ichon https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

This week, ORION CARLOTO and Arman explore the intrinsic linkage between poetry and all art forms. It’s not every 24 year old who quotes the French poet Arthur Rimbaud so casually; Carloto brings energy and feeling to a medium which is vital to the arts and soul of the world. Describing the beautifully fresh and devastating songs of Leonard Cohen, to her affinity for Fiona Apple’s ability to unapologetically sing her truths, Vanessa’s references form a foundation for her craft and her life. ETHEREAL by nature, Orion glimmers light and insight, exquisitely shining out into her orbit. https://areweonair.com/orion-carloto https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

Creating a sound that is 3D is ELIM CHAN's magic touch. She and Arman dive deeply into this enchantment, delving into Disney's Fantasia’s role in planting the seeds of her dreams to manifest imagery, feeling and motion with music. As the youngest chief conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, she materializes this gift by transmitting her magic to hundreds of thousands and more audiences. Describing the feeling of hot butter gliding down her arms as she conducts Rachmaninoff’s sexy Symphony No. 2, Chan is captivating, humble and a crescendo of joy. Her ultimate gig? To be the first conductor on mars. We’re betting it all on Chan. Her dreams are big and her execution laser sharp - a natural trailblazer and magician, exuding imagination from every pore. Quoting Roald Dahl, “Those who don’t believe in magic will never see it,” her channels are open for what’s to come. Listen for immediate inspiration and a beautiful dream. https://areweonair.com/elim-chan https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/