Roya Arab

Roya Arab (born 1967, in Tehran, Iran) is a UK-based Iranian musician and archaeologist. Besides music, Roya has a passion for all things Iranian/Persian, past and present.

Musical Career

Roya Arab learned the craft of singing during jam sessions around London in the early and mid 1990s.[1] She was the first Iranian female to receive a publishing and recording deal from a major Western label, when she was signed as a member of Archive to Island in 1994, and the album Londinium was released in 1996.[2][3][4] The band broke up shortly after. Roya went on to work with various artists including Leila in 'Like Weather'[5][6][7], Grooverider in 'Mysteries of Funk'[8][9], followed by some work in Paris with Zend Avesta and Naab, before working on a project with Mike Figgis. 'Courtesy of Choice' by Leila was the last album Roya appeared on before leaving music to study archaeology.

In 2008 Roya sang on 'Blood, Looms and Blooms'[10][11][12] before joining Leila on a European tour in 2009[13][14]. Realising that she missed music, Roya started working with young Iranian musicians leaving Iran including Hichkas and Ash Koosha, and performing live again. She then appeared on Rosko John's debut solo album 'call to arms' in 2012.

Education

Roya Arab attended Maktabe Tarbiat school in Tehran, whilst also studying at summer schools in Montanta, Switzerland and St Georges in Ascot. After the 1979 revolution she boarded at Ancaster House School in Bexhill, before taking her A'levels at North Westminster community school. She then attended one year of a copywriting/advertising course before taking time out from education.

Roya joined UCL in 2000 to complete a BA and MA in Archaeology and Public archaeology. She is currently undertaking a PhD on music in Iranian film at City, University of London.

Archiving, Socio-Political Commentary and Promoting Cultures of the Middle East & North Africa

During and after Roya's studies in public archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology at UCL Roya has archived[15] historical documents including the Wertime Collection[16] and the Campbell archives[17].

She has also written various reports and papers on the political situation in MENA including articles in CounterPunch[18][19] and Media Diversified[20] Roya promotes the cultures of the MENA region with a special interest in Iran. She has worked with organisations and festivals such as Nour (RBKC)[21] and the London Middle East Institute (LMEI) at SOAS, University of London[22] to curate events celebrating the art, music, literature and beauty of Middle East and North Africa.

Selected Discography

Selected Publications

.* Arab, R. 2014. ‘Campbell, John Nicholl Robert ii. The Archives’, Encyclopædia Iranica.

Reports

References

  1. ↑ Straight No Chaser Spring 1999
  2. ↑ NME 28/09/96
  3. ↑ Mojo January 1997
  4. ↑ Sunday Times 06/10/96
  5. ↑ Melody Maker 28/02/1998
  6. ↑ Ben Willmott album of the month VOX May 1998
  7. ↑ NME album of the month 28/03/98
  8. ↑ Blues and Soul 01/09/98
  9. ↑ Record Mirror 29/08/98
  10. ↑ Review NME: Courtesy Of Choice
  11. ↑ Review Pichfork: Blood, Looms and Blooms
  12. ↑ Review Metro: Leila: Blood, Looms And Blooms
  13. ↑ Le Télégramme: Dernière minute : Roya Arab remplace Terry Hall
  14. ↑ Montreux Jazz Live
  15. ↑ British Institute of Persian Studies., 2007 - Iran Iran, Volume 45
  16. ↑ Encyclopædia Iranica: WERTIME, Theodore
  17. ↑ Encyclopædia Iranica: CAMPBELL, JOHN NICHOLL ROBERT ii. The Archives
  18. ↑ CounterPunch: Syria: a Serious Situation for Us All
  19. ↑ CounterPunch:Fascism in Fancy Dress for the 21st Century
  20. ↑ Media Diversified: Reflections on a Culture in Crisis
  21. ↑ Nour Festival: Poets in Exile
  22. ↑ SOAS Centenary Event - Youth, Cinema and War in Iran
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