The Clash Between Dariush and Farid Zaland in the 'Zero' Degree Orbit

Radio Farda periodically reviews what is happening on social media. Radio Farda's audience can also take this opportunity to send interesting topics they observe on social media to Radio Farda at [email protected]. Finally, the controversial album 'Zero', the latest work of Dariush with the lyrics of Ardalan Sarfaraz and the composition of Farid Zaland, has been released, an album whose non-release and delay in publication has always been a subject of questioning for over two decades. Now, Dariush has announced the voluntary release of this album in a letter to his audience to express that 'this 20-year-old festering sore' has been burst. Mr. Dariush has asked his listeners not to consider this work as part of 'the satisfactory section of his artistic and professional record'. On August 13, Farid Zaland, a prominent composer who has a brilliant history of collaboration with Dariush, protested on his official Facebook page against the release of the new work of this artist titled 'Need'. Mr. Zaland described the release of this single from the 'Zero' collection as a 'secretive' act without his approval as the composer. In his writing, Farid Zaland complained about what he called the poor arrangement and execution of the song 'Need' and announced legal action against the famous pop singer of Iran. The composer of the song 'Need' described Ali Elahi's arrangement as 'an old and faded arrangement' and stated that he does not consider this song 'his music'. Dariush, simultaneously with the release of this album, provided detailed explanations about its production process on social media. He writes that the composer was aware of the re-arrangement of the work by Ali Elahi and had even previously announced it on his official social media pages. The album 'Zero', which emerged after years of stagnation in Iranian pop music, has been released in a manner that seemingly overshadows its content with its surrounding controversies. Farid Zaland had also previously announced on his official Facebook page that if the song 'Need' is released, he will publicly protest while releasing the initial arrangement of the song. While Farid Zaland claims he has tried to release the album 'Zero' 'as it deserves the audience', Dariush in his letter writes that Farid Zaland has used 'indeterminate, computerized arrangements without live instruments and hasty mixing and mastering' that were 'not satisfactory' to the singer. The composer of nostalgic songs like 'Shaghayegh' and 'Nazanin' has accused Dariush of repeating 'unethical and unprofessional behavior' in his brief writing and has threatened him with legal action. In his response to his old colleague, Dariush welcomed the legal pursuit of this matter, considering it an 'opportunity' to 'bring up' and 'pursue more instances of Mr. Zaland's violations'. Although Farid Zaland left the issues vague in his Facebook writing, Dariush, throughout his response, accused him of 'inappropriate and unprofessional behaviors' by citing examples from other artists who have worked with Mr. Zaland. Dariush stated that the main reason for the delay in the release of this album was the issue of arranging the pieces and evaluated Mr. Zaland's recent arrangements as lacking 'the support of collaboration and opinion from greats like Varoujan, Andranik, and Manocher Cheshmazar' in terms of 'power and precision' compared to the past. The album 'Zero' contains eight tracks, seven of which are written by Ardalan Sarfaraz, and the lyrics of the track 'Natarson' were written by Iraj Janti Atayi, which was released during the protests against the results of the 2009 presidential election. Farid Zaland announced on his Facebook that he provided the complete and arranged album in the presence of a lawyer to Dariush. Dariush emphasized that he will officially release the album 'exactly as Mr. Zaland delivered it to him for complete and final publication' and provided explanations regarding some of the album's tracks. In this context, Dariush referred to the tracks 'Residan (Confusions)' and 'Even Though You Are Far From Me', which, contrary to Mr. Zaland's claims about presenting the complete album in the presence of a lawyer, have never been recorded with his voice. He then asked the composer of these works to publish these two tracks with his voice to confirm his statements. The album 'Zero', which emerged after years of stagnation in Iranian pop music, has been released in a manner that seemingly overshadows its content with its surrounding controversies.