Finding Freedom in Music

By: Erin Gingerich, ENG 336. 001

Guitars, microphones, and Mac computers lined the Atkinson Room stage October 4th as Dr. Austin Dacey (pictured on the left) was introduced to the Frostburg State University campus. The Philosopher and the Guitar Forum not only introduced Dacey, but also two Iranian musicians, Saeid “Natch” Nadjafi (pictures in the center and below), and Shayan Amini (pictured on the right). Dr. H. Skott Brill introduced Dacey’s accomplishments in USA Today, the New York Times, and Dissent. Brill also introduced how Dacey is the director of The Impossible Music Sessions, where he has assisted Nadjafi and Amini perform their music to an audience.

Dr. Dacey smiled as he said, “This is probably the first time in history a philosopher opened with a rock band.” He opened with the story of Hermes, who was a messenger of the gods. Hermes was born in a cave, and within moments of his birth, he could walk. He began to explore the outside world. Through his explorations, he found a turtle, wrung its neck, and carved out its insides to make a lyre. He then consumed two of Apollo’s sacred cows. Hermes’ theft angered Apollo; however after Hermes played his lyre, Apollo agreed to take the lyre as payment for his lost cattle.

Dr. Dacey discussed Plato’s idea that the soul has three parts. The three parts are the spirited, the rational, and the appetite. He explained that the spirited part related to the emotion and will, the rational to what is good, and the appetite to what is pleasing. He explained that the rational part was the “captain of the three,” and the others were subordinate. Plato also believed that musical modes reflect certain emotions. He listed a few of them, including Ionian, Lydian, and Dorian. He explained that Plato was pretty intolerant of musical instruments. He added, “Did I mention that in Plato’s ideal world, philosophers rule?”

Dacey discussed the histories of different cultures that rejected music. In China, in 1380, it was believed that music was useless because it didn’t provide anything essential, such as food or shelter. However, when Xunzi came into power, he believed, as Dacey said, “Music is good for something, which is beneficial to something else.” Dacey also talked about the church fathers of Christianity, and how originally they were against the pipe organ. It was said to be an “instrument of conflict.” However, Dacey pointed out that the Book of Solomon, which is a book of songs, was supposed to be read. Dacey joked that, “St. Augustine was concerned with music, just as he was concerned with erections. He couldn’t control either of them.”

Currently, these cultures of forbidding music are still present. The Taliban extremists have made restrictions on all forms of music. Dacey pointed out that the Taliban still have their own chants and hymns, which could be considered music. Also, many of these chants and hymns sound similar to a lot of secular music. Dacey said, “So not only are they bad singers, but unoriginal.” On December 10, 2008, there was a mass confiscation of instruments by the Taliban. According to the Taliban, those who try to play music are guilty of betrayal, and giving love to something other than God.

In Iran, most forms of music are prohibited; however, many still go into a “music underground” and play their music privately. Dacey explained that “listening to your Pearl Jams too loud in public” could send you to jail. In 2009, the Plastic Wave band, which Nadjafi and Amini were members of, was illegal. In addition to their band was their original female singer, Maral. Women in Iran are forbidden from singing to mixed gender audiences. The members attempted to get a visa, but were denied; because their music was illegal, they couldn’t show documentation of their music records. A Brooklyn band called the Cruel Black Dove learned the Plastic Waves’ songs and began to play their music. The Plastic Wave was publicized through the Impossible Music Sessions. The Impossible Music Sessions’ website, http://www.impossiblemusic.org/ , shows several musical artists who are forbidden from expressing their music in their countries.

After a few technical difficulties with the microphones, Amini and Nadjafi filled the air with electronic beats, bass guitar strums, and rock-style singing. Truly reflecting his ability of expression, Nadjafi’s guitar in bold letters read, “I AM A MICROPHONE.” Nadjafi had left behind his job, girlfriend, and Mercedes Benz to come to America and spread his music. In between songs, Nadjafi said, “Now, I’m 28, I live like a teenage guy in a foreign country.”
The floor was then open for questions from the audience. Nadjafi and Amini were asked when they learned to speak English. Nadjafi said that it only took him eleven months to learn English, and Amini a year and a half. They were also asked who their favorite American music groups were. Both told the audience Pearl Jam and Tool. They were also asked if they ever stopped because it was dangerous. Amini said that, “We didn’t want to insult [the government]. When music is your life, you can’t stop it anyways.” The group had been imprisoned after they had a concert, which was planned for two hundred people, but instead seven hundred attended. Dacey reflected on a time that Amini had told him that, “At home, the problem was too less freedom, but here [in America] the problem is too much freedom.” Dacey was asked, in regards to the idea that philosophers believe music is impractical, if it’s a value to keep reason to guide the irrational part of your soul. Dacey explained David Hume’s method of going to play pool and drinking before returning back to work. He explained that “reason is more about what moves us, and in what direction.” He also added, “There are some things you just have to let happen, man.” Before ending the forum, Amini remarked, “you guys are lucky because you open your eyes in freedom.”