ARE WE ON AIR ?
By Arman Naféei
areweonair.com
www.instagram.com/areweonair/
www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
ARE WE ON AIR ?Jan 28, 2022
Michael Mayer On His Favourite Heartbreak Songs | TEASER Ep 106 // MICHAEL MAYER
Ep 105 // ACYDE
THIS WEEK'S GUEST IS THE MAN ABOUT TOWN, THE DJ AND MUSIC CONNOISSEUR, ACYDE 🥁
Ep 105 // ACYDE
linktr.ee/areweonair/
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TEASER Ep 105 // ACYDE
Ep 104 // HABIBI FUNK
YALLA HABIBI!
NEW EPISODE OUT NOW WITH JANNIS STÜRTZ AKA HABIBI FUNK
Ep 104 // HABIBI FUNK
Habibi Funk On Significant Records | TEASER Ep 104 // HABIBI FUNK
Ep 103 // CHROMEO
LIVE FROM OUR KIOSK-🪩-THÈQUE, NEXT UP WE HAVE THE FUNK LORDS, OUR DEAR FRIENDS CHROMEO 🥁
0:00-Arman's Intro
2:18-Welcome to Are We On Air ?
4:11-"We Were Going To Juxtapose Anti-Heroic Lyrics On Top Of Referential Funk Music"
6:41-What's Your Earliest Significant Musical Memory That Shaped You as an Artist?
9:47-"I Don't Really Believe In Retro: It's Always The Dialogue Between Two Eras"
11:00-How Would You Describe Yourself In 3 Songs?
11:59-"Between The 808 And The LM-1, You Have Most Of 80s Rhythm Arrangements"
16:51-Meeting Your Heroes
19:29-Opening For The Beastie Boys
20:21-The Mixture Between Seriousness And Humour
21:34-Meeting Jamiroquai
24:46-P-Thugg's Favourite Arab Track
26:02-What Inspired Their New Record, 'Adult Contemporary'
28:25-What's Your Go-To Falling In Love Or Heartbreak Song?
30:36-How 'Fancy Footwork' Came To Be
31:27-When A Remix Takes The Original To Another Level
33:48-What's The Sexiest Song?
35:18-If Your Life Would Be A Movie, What Song Would Play In The End Credits?
Ep 103 // CHROMEO
Chromeo On 'Needy Girl' | TEASER Ep 103 // CHROMEO
Ep 102 // ELSA HOSK
HEJ! THIS WEEK’S GUEST IS NONE OTHER THAN MY DEAR FRIEND THE SUPERMODEL AND DESIGNER ELSA HOSK 🔥
0:00-Arman's Intro 3:23-Welcome to Are We On Air ? 5:16-On Sourcing Vintage Objects 7:12-Elsa's Love For Interior Design 9:59-On Owning a Richard Neutra House 11:29-What's your earliest significant musical memory? 14:11-Elsa On Helsa 20:37-What Song Defines Helsa?
25:32-Elsa's Favourite Architects & Interior Designers
26:22-Modelling Career
34:18-What's your go-to falling in love or heartbreak song?
Ep 102 // ELSA HOSK
Elsa Hosk On Modelling | TEASER Ep 102 // ELSA HOSK
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 18
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.
Ep 101 // GHETTO GASTRO
FROM THE DINNER TABLE STRAIGHT TO YOUR EARS THIS WEEK’S GUESTS ARE NONE OTHER THAN NEW YORK’S FINEST CULINARY ARTISTS: GHETTO GASTRO 💥
0:00-'For Us, It's About Putting The Medicine In The Kool-Aid' 0:50-Arman's Intro 2:25-Welcome to Are We On Air? 3:35-What's your earliest significant musical memory that shaped you as an artist? 4:21-'Music Can Be Used As Therapy' 8:34-What Song Defines Ghetto Gastro? 10:40-'Let Flavour And Food Be The Vehicle To Tell Our Stories' 11:40-'The Dinner Table Is The First Social Media Platform' 20:30-'You Need To Meditate On A Vision And A Feeling' 32:45-What's your go-to falling in love or heartbreak song? 39:45-What's the sexiest song? 44:46-What Are The Next Steps For Ghetto Gastro? 53:00-If your life would be a movie, what song would play in the end credits?
Ghetto Gastro's Music Playlist
Ep 101 // GHETTO GASTRO linktr.ee/areweonair/
Ep 100 // SIR PAUL SMITH
100th EPISODE WITH NONE OTHER THAN SIR PAUL SMITH!
00:00-How Did You Do It? 00:45-Arman's Intro 05:45-Creating Something Cohesive Out Of The Madness 06:54-Paul's Bike Collection 08:50-Earliest Significant Musical Memory 11:55-'You need to Nudge, not completely Push, in new Directions' 18:25-How Would You Describe Yourself In 3 Songs? 19:13-'I'm a Lateral Thinker' 23:29-Paul's Start in the Clothing Business 26:20-Curating 'Picasso Celebration: The Collection In A New Light!' 32:50-'Classic With A Twist' 37:35-Collaborating w/ The Rolling Stones 44:30-The Mod's 54:20-If your life would be a movie, what song would play in the end credits? 55:20-B-Roll
Ep 100 // SIR PAUL SMITH
HAPPY 100th EPISODE!
4 YEARS
100 EPISODES
A BRAND NEW KIOSK-O-THÈQUE (8224 SUNSET BLVD)
AND
A NEW FOUND FRIENDSHIP W/ @spotify !
A big thank you to all our guests, listeners and dancers! We’ve only just begun 🥁
A xx
Are We On Air ?
Ep 99 // ETRAN DE L'AÏR
BONJOUR MES AMIS! I FIRST MET ETRAN DE L'AÏR THROUGH THE FANTASTIC COMPILATION THAT @sahelsounds RELEASED - "MUSIC FROM SAHARAN WHATSAPP" -, SO I COULDN'T RESIST INTERVIEWING THE GUYS UPON THEIR SHOW AT L.A. VENUE @zebulonla WE TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY GOT THEIR START PLAYING MUSIC AT TRADITIONAL WEDDINGS, WHAT'S IT LIKE TO PLAY 4-HOUR-LONG SETS, AND OFC, WHAT THEIR FAV LOVE SONGS ARE! I PERSONALLY LOVE THE 'DESERT BLUES': IT TRANSPORTS ME TO A WORLD OF HYPNOTIC RIFFS AND OTHERWORLDLY RHYTHMS 🎸 ANYONE WANT TO JOIN ME TO A TRIP TO AGADEZ? A xx
ETRAN'S PLAYLIST
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/76DhSaRGJIbEpx9L1ljQRx?si=398ce8e8131040df
Ep 99 // ETRAN DE L'AÏR
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 17
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.
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 98 // LUKE EDWARD HALL
BUONGIORNO AND GRÜEZI BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE!
WE’RE STREAMING LIVE AND DIRECT FROM OUR WINTER RESIDENCE AT THE @kulmhotel IN THE BEAUTIFUL SWISS ALPS TO YOUR EARS. KICKING IT OFF WITH THIS WEEKS GUEST; THE ARTIST AND DESIGNER LUKE EDWARD HALL. AN OLD FRIEND OF THE SHOW THAT SOME OF YOU MIGHT REMEMBER FROM THOSE BEAUTIFUL GUEST PORTRAITS OF SEASON 1!
WE CAUGHT UP OVER A COUPLE OF PISCO SOURS AT THE NEWLY DESIGNED PERUVIAN RESTAURANT @amaru.kulm, TO ADMIRE AND DISSECT LUKE’S LATEST DESIGN FEAT.
WE COVERED EVERYTHING FROM HIS LIFE’S SOUNDTRACK TO HIS @financialtimes COLUMN TO HIS TECHNIQUE WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGNING A HOTEL, RESTAURANT OR A BLANK CANVAS.
GET YOUR PENS AND PAPERS READY AS LUKE CURATED A LOVELY PLAYLIST AND A LONG LIST OF HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANTS, JUST FOR YOU.
MUCH LOVE AND PLENTY OF PEACE TO ALL OF YOU 💛✌🏽
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
A xx
LUKE'S PLAYLIST
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69mWkGnTlpim5WQuJxyAki?si=3aa288b26a374014
Ep 98 // LUKE EDWARD HALL
Ep 97 // DOUG AITKEN
DOUG'S PLAYLIST
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5pkamJIB9TrWhM47mWzduh?si=7b16f78cceb84469
Ep 97 // DOUG AITKEN
https://linktr.ee/areweonair/
https://areweonair.com/
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/?hl=en
Ep 96 // RUTH RADELET
HELLO MY FRIENDS!
LAST YEAR I GOT TOGETHER WITH MY FRIEND RUTH RADELET FOR A LITTLE TÊTE-À-TÊTE OVER SOME VINO TO TALK ALL THINGS MUSIC 🍷🌇 @ruthradelet
WE TALKED ABOUT HER NEW BUDDING SOLO CAREER, WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO PERFORM AT THAT INFAMOUS CHANEL SS 13' SHOW WITH THE CHROMATICS, THE LAUREL CANYON MUSIC SCENE, RECEIVING MIXTAPES FROM HER HIGH SCHOOL CRUSH AND SO SO SO MUCH MORE!
A xx
RUTH'S PLAYLIST https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1wzej1ADgzUmDv8J36AwaK?si=0f4e9493cb2649d2 Ep 96 // RUTH RADELET https://linktr.ee/areweonair/
Ep 95 // THE BLAZE
BONJOUR MES AMIS!
THE BLAZE AND I GOT TOGETHER IN L.A. AFTER THEIR COACHELLA PERFORMANCE FOR A LITTLE RENDEZ-VOUS.
THE CHAMPAGNE WAS FLOWING, THE CIGARETTES WERE BURNING IN FULL FRENCH FASHION BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WE GOT TO CONVERSE! ABOUT THEIR LIFES SOUNDTRACK, THEIR FANTASTIC MUSIC VIDEOS, THE IMPORTANCE OF IMAGERY WHEN PRODUCING THEIR MUSIC AND THEIR LP ‘JUNGLE’🥂
A Xx
THE BLAZE'S PLAYLIST https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1WxnclL04dcUbMnQPsf9US?si=dbcd9be317aa47eb Ep 95 // THE BLAZE https://linktr.ee/areweonair/ https://areweonair.com/the-blaze https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/?hl=en
Ep 94 // ALICJA KWADE
VOYAGE VOYAGE!
WHAT A PLEASURE IT WAS TO TRAVEL TO ALICJA’S STUDIO IN BERLIN 💛
WE TALKED ABOUT HER WORK, LATE NIGHTS AT KINGSIZE BAR, HER LABEL GRZEGORZKI RECORDS AND SO MUCH MORE 🎨⚡
Ep 94 // ALICJA KWADE
A xx
Ep 94 // ALICJA KWADE https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/alicja-kwade
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 93 // ZANE LOWE
GREETINGS FROM APPLE HQ 🍏
A good couple of months ago I sat down with the Grammy-nominated producer and radio host, formerly of BBC Radio 1, now Apple Music’s Global Creative Director and On-Air Host @zanelowe
From @neilyoung to @barbrastreisand to @sade we covered it allll
Thanks for the tour!
@applemusic
AXx
ZANE'S PLAYLIST https://open.spotify.com/playlist/26vA9tgQQxR3vKVtcjh1hC?si=0f7d70ba3ada45fd Ep 93 // ZANE LOWE https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/zane-lowe
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 92 // FIONA ZANETTI
HYPNOTIC TANGO!
WHAT A PLEASURE IT WAS TO SIT DOWN WITH MY FAVORITE FASHIONISTA AND FRIEND FIONA @fionazanetti AT HER UBER CHIC PARISIAN APARTMENT.
WE TALKED ABOUT HER SOUND, HER LOVE FOR TOKYO AND OUR INSANE BLOCK PARTIES BUT ALSO WHAT ITS LIKE BEING PART OF A GENERATION THAT BLURS THE LINES BETWEEN DIFFERENT CULTURES AND HOW SHE OVERCAME HER FEARS TO BECOME THE FANTASTIC DJ THAT SHE IS!
FIONA'S PLAYLIST https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2qLZPfZrz9E04qoAgY8tKh?si=1c3ab3380bae4fe9 Ep 92 // FIONA ZANETTI https://linktr.ee/areweonair https://areweonair.com/ https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 91 // ELĪNA GARANČA
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA!
WHAT A PLEASURE IT WAS TO LISTEN TO THIS BEAUTIFUL ARTIST @elina.garanca 🌹
IN PREPARATION FOR THE AIDA PREMIEEER @staatsoperberlin ON OCT 3rd
AXx
Ep 91 // ELĪNA GARANČA
https://linktr.ee/areweonair https://areweonair.com/elina-garanca https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 90 // IGOR LEVIT
MAESTRO IGOR! NEW EPISODE WITH THE SUPERSTAR THAT IS @igorpianist
LIVE FROM HIS LIVING ROOM TO YOUR EARS 🎶
Watch it @youtube or listen to the interview and Igor’s playlist @spotifypodcasts @apple
AXx
Ep 90 // IGOR LEVIT
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/igor-levit
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 89 // PONGO
BOOOM DIA! NEW EPISODE WITH THE POWERHOUSE THAT IS PONGO! @pongo_official
The Queen of Kuduro took over our Block party in Paris back in June and you can hear all about it @spotifypodcasts @applemusic @mixcloud and @youtube (links in bio)
Big MERCI to our friends @loulourestaurants
AXx
Ep 89 // PONGO
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/pongo
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
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Ep 88 // NOBU MATSUHISA
こんにちは my friends and welcome to another glorious episode with the legend himself NOBU MATSUHISA!
We covered everything from his rise as a Chef to a global powerhouse, his partnership with Robert De Niro and of course his musical choices - and Mick Jagger stories (links in bio) 🔪
EP 88 // @therealnobu
@noburestaurants
@matsuhisabeverlyhills
@matsuhisamykonos
@belvederehotel
@sushiclub
@quitequila
Lots of love,
A Xx
Ep 88 // NOBU MATSUHISA
https://areweonair.com/nobu-matsuhisa
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
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Ep 87 // DITTE REFFSTRUP // GANNI
HEJ! New episode and playlist with my dear
@ditte_reffstrup @ganni
We covered everything from our little collab during Copenhagen fashion week, to how to create luxury with an honest price point, to the soundtrack of Ditte and GANNI and of course why Danish design is just oh so cool!🧊
AXx
EP 87 // DITTE REFFSTRUP // GANNI
https://areweonair.com/ditte-reffstrup-ganni
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 86 // GIULIANO CALZA
AMOREEE MIO 🇮🇹
New episode with my dear @giulianocalza @gcdswear is out now 🐬
We chatted about POP, Fashion and how to make your dreams become reality ✨ (manifestation & hard work!)
AXx
GIULIANO'S PLAYLIST
https://open.spotify.com/user/31leomfdjtbtvyfv53k3orttaoy4
Ep 86 // GIULIANO CALZA
https://areweonair.com/giuliano-calza
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 85 // NOORIYAH
YALLAAA NOOOORIYAH!
This week’s guest is the wonderful DJ/Producer/Radio host @nooriyah._
We chatted a good couple of weeks ago in London about SWANA music a.k.a music from SOUTH WEST ASIA & NORTH AFRICA. So much musical knowledge! And of course, we had to talk about her incredible set @boilerroomtv repping the Habibis! 💃🏽
AXx
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/nooriyah
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
Ep 84 // CARL CRAIG
Got to spend an electrifying afternoon with the Detroit legend himself at his exhibition at MOCA. What a journey!
AXx
“Detroit-based techno DJ and producer Carl Craig’s immersive environment, Party/After-Party is a visceral sound and somatic experience that evolves with each new iteration. Drawing on Craig’s 30-year career as an internationally touring DJ, Party/After-Party guides visitors sonically through a club night from the perspective of the DJ. Starting in those moments before the crowd arrives and the DJ spins alone, before reaching its crescendo with the party’s pulsing apex, and finally slipping towards the melancholic embrace of the after-party, the work evokes the collective ecstasy and desolation found only on a club dance floor”
@carlcraignet
@moca
Ep 84 // CARL CRAIG
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/carl-craig
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
Ep 83 // ANNE IMHOF
THE ANNE IMHOF @anne_imhof and I got together a couple of weeks ago in Berlin’s Kreuzberg to talk about life, art and music. I can’t imagine a better way to spend an evening.
We covered everything from music, art, fashion and her trajectory from living in a squat in Frankfurt all the way to winning the Golden Lion in Venice with her piece FAUST. Genial!
AXx
Ep 83 // ANNE IMHOF
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/
Ep 82 // BAKAR
NEW DRIP DRIP DROP WITH THE SUAVE BAKAR!
Got to chat with one of the hottest talent coming out of the UK right now - Bakar. Interview and Playlist available everywhere (links in bio) Big thanks to our friends at IDEA LTD. for hosting us!
A Xx
Ep 82 // BAKAR
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/bakar
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 16
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.
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/
https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/
Ep 81 // JONATHAN ANDERSON
HERE COMES JONATHAN! New episode with the fabulous superstar designer, creative director, and man about town We covered everything from Broadway musicals to A$AP Rocky and I even got a sneak peek into the creative process, diving deep into the clothes at his London studio. Ep 81 // JONATHAN ANDERSON Jonathan's Podcast Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0GaIxTLnKXbQ8KS5lojA6U?si=385d859a6fff4164&nd=1
Jonathan's Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0UwVj7NNuhZSbDl84WYTwm?si=2148e45d358d4754&nd=1
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/jonathan-anderson
Ep 80 // NICK RHODES // DURAN DURAN
Step into the vibrant world of Nick Rhodes, the founding member and visionary keyboardist of Duran Duran, as he guides you through the unforgettable moments that shaped 80s music and culture.
Get ready for lively discussions on creating atmosphere, inspired by the wit and genius of Andy Warhol and his famous 'Dollar Sign' story. Experience the transformative power of witnessing David Bowie's electrifying performance of 'Starman' on 'Top of the Pops,' igniting Nick's passion for pushing boundaries.
Nick shares his admiration for trailblazers like Kraftwerk, who revolutionized electronic music, and the raw energy of punk icons like Iggy Pop and the Sex Pistols, who fueled his artistic fire. Discover tthe enduring modernity of Kate Bush's captivating repertoire, which continues to captivate and inspire generations of artists.
Relive the exhilaration of Duran Duran's unforgettable Live Aid performance in Philadelphia, where they captivated audiences with their electrifying stage presence. Gain insights into the creative process of their latest album, a collaboration with producer Erol Alkan.
Join Nick Rhodes and Arman Naféei in rainy London as they delve into music, culture, and nightlife. Prepare to be enchanted by the stories and sounds shared by this cultural icon, whose artistic vision has left an indelible mark on our world.
Nick's Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6g20Bk6GZayPPBCNqyJhwE?si=379d3f76f00a46bc
https://linktr.ee/areweonair
https://areweonair.com/nick-rhodes-duran-duran
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 15
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.
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 14
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.
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 13
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.
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 12
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.
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 11
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.
ARMAN'S VOICE NOTES // 10
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.
Ep 79 // ISABELLA ROSSELLINI
As her voice rises and falls through rhythmic intonations, ISABELLA ROSSELINI takes ARMAN through what it was like to grow up in the spotlight and forge her own path. Not only a famed ACTRESS, AUTHOR, FILMMAKER. MODEL, and SINGER, but also an ECOLOGIST and ANIMAL BEHAVIOURIST, ROSSELINI meets us where she is most comfortable: her Bellport, New York farm. This magical place, she says, brings her ‘closer to the earth center.’ Distinguishing her hens by the sound and pitch of their clucking, and her roosters by the way they COCK-A-DOODLE-DO, her attention to detail thrives and grows as part of the farm.
Crossing language barriers with and bringing together for the first time a partnership that would change cinema soundtracks forever, ROSSELLINI elaborates on working with DAVID LYNCH and ANGELO BADALAMENTI. Taking us backstage of her legendary singing of BLUE VELVET, a smile breaks across her face. Throughout the interview, it’s as if ROSELLINI travels in time to each moment she’s describing to Arman. To share this hour with ROSSELINI is pure joy and peace. A perfect way to close out SEASON 3.
In her own words - “Once you have confidence, you become much more daring.” In this spirit, we turn the page to SEASON 4.
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.
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.
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.’
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!