It is a dark Wednesday night when I get to Arash's place, a small studio apartment in the heart of San Francisco. The winds brush my hair like they want to make me look stranger than I usually do. Arash runs out to get me in and I can tell that he's rather busy. Arash Sobhani, a young Iranian artist and architect by profession, has been living in US since 2006. This is where he has continued with his works and hobby. Arash greets me and welcomes me to his own place. It's a small place with some instruments, works on the table, pieces of food on the table, furniture and well….his life. The phone keeps ringing and short messages keeps coming in while I am there. We start the discussions after some chat about this and that.

Z.Z: When did you guys start "Vandida"?

We decided to work together as a band on 28/2/82 and in that summer we started our first practice sessions as "Vandida".

Z.Z: What does "Vandida" means?

ZZ: What's up Amirali?

AA: Up and running is a new Iranian band with a real philosophy behind it. Actually, this philosophy is behind a project called "Project Cordoba Now" and the band is just one of the aspects of the project. I think we are the first band that exclusively addresses international relations issues in its lyrics.

As for now, there are three permanent members to the band. Kasra Saboktakin on bass, Amir-ali Taheri on the drums, and myself. I write the songs, the lyrics and play the guitar.

Z.Z: You have recently released an album which is named "Hiss". Let me start by asking you; why did you choose "Hiss" (Hush) as the name of the album?

Well, the reason why I chose "Hiss" as the title of my album is because of the condition of our popular music industry that produces music with very bad quality with out any musical and artistic substance. By this title, I am actually telling them to silence and to shout up!... Hiss!