This album actually started back in 2024 on the stage of Prague’s Vinohrady Theatre. I was writing the music for Carlo Goldoni’sLe baruffe chiozzotte, but the more I lived with these characters and their stories, the more I realized the music needed a life of its own, outside the theater walls.
I didn’t want to make a “folk” record in the traditional sense. Instead, I took these gritty, centuries-old working-class lyrics and completely stripped away their old melodies. I wanted to hear what happens when you treat ancient Italian dialects—Sicilian, Neapolitan, Sardinian—not like museum pieces, but like raw, rhythmic engines.
There’s a specific sound on this record I’m really excited for you to hear. I took the mandola, a classic Italian instrument, but I threw away the pick. I played it using the fingerstyle technique of the Persian setar. It gives the strings a sharp, biting energy that feels very modern, even though the soul of it is still grounded in the Mediterranean.
We’ve put a lot of love into the production. Milan Cimfe at Sono Records helped me dial in the sound, and we’re releasing it on 180g heavyweight vinyl and CD for those who still love to hold the music in their hands.
The journey starts on May 8 with the first single, “Serenata della spiaggia,” followed by a second track “Non è la morte la fin de l’amore” on May 15, and the full album with lead song “La Baldoria” on May 22.
We are delighted to invite our fans and friends to a private milestone. Before Shahab Tolouie’s new album of theatrical music—Ci vediamo, Goldoni!—officially reaches the global stage, we are opening the doors for a limited preview.
We are hosting an Exclusive First Listen: a private online event curated for a select group of the first 50 subscribers. This is not merely a stream; it is an intimate look behind the curtain. Guests will have the unique opportunity to experience musical compositions inspired by Goldoni’s Le baruffe chiozzotte—including exclusive pieces that were not featured in the original theatrical production.
What to Expect
Exclusive Sneak Peek: Experience key track samples before the official worldwide release.
The Stories Behind the Music: Shahab will share the creative journey of album’s compositions.
Interactive Q&A: The live chat will be open throughout the session for you to ask questions.
Special Rewards: We have prepared a “special thank-you” for the most active participants during the event.
To ensure a personalized experience for our international community, we have organized the event into two distinct sessions. Please ensure you register for the time slot that corresponds to your preferred language:
Czech Session: April 16th, 2026, at 20:00 (30 min)
English Session: April 16th, 2026, at 21:00 (30 min)
How to Join
This is a Private Online Event with no software installation required. Access is strictly limited to the first 50 subscribers. To secure your place on the guest list, please complete the registration form below. Our team will follow up via email with your private access link and final event details.
The upcoming album will be released in a very limited run of physical CDs and Vinyl. To guarantee your own signed copy, we highly recommend utilizing the pre-order window. This opportunity remains open for only two more weeks (until April 24th).
Shahab Tolouie’s new album “Oxymoron,” arriving March 21, 2025, is a journey through life’s contradictions, expressed through his deeply personal guitar voice and a blend of musical worlds. The release date already traditionally coincides with Persian New Year and the Spring Equinox.
Musically, “Oxymoron” retains Shahab’s signature intricate rhythms and deceptively simple harmonies that have defined his previous works, yet it introduces a significant departure. At the heart of this transformation lies his guitar, tuned to his invention based on the Persian instrument Setar, unveiling a deeply personal voice. This unique tuning system allows for a new level of emotional expression.
This album marks a deliberate departure from the classical Persian poetry that characterizes his earlier works, instead embracing the contemporary lyrics of Mohammad Zarghami, reflecting the emotional landscape of present-day Iran and serving as a direct conduit for his own lived experiences.
“Oxymoron. A word that perfectly captures the contradictions and complexities of life. Awfully great. Horrendously fantastic. My own life has been a testament to this. Growing up amidst the turmoil of war and the oppressive silence of a music ban, I found solace and joy in music. I learned to embrace beauty within the chaos.”
The album’s four vocal-driven and socially conscious songs, including the earlier released singles “Pasokh,” “Yalda,” and “Nowruzvash,” stand as markers of their creation period, responding to the significant events in his homeland during widespread protests for freedom and equality, particularly for women.
“Oxymoron” remains true to Shahab’s experimental EthnoFlamenco style, demonstrating the endless inspiration found in the mutual cultural enrichment of Persian and Spanish traditions. His “unison” approach to harmony creates an accessible “eastern core,” while the complex rhythmic structures and dynamic shifts offer a deeper level of engagement.
“The title track, ‘Oxymoron,’ is a sonic embodiment of my life experiences,” he explains. “It is a dynamic piece that defies expectations, blending intricate rhythms with simple harmonies. I experimented with unconventional tunings, ultimately finding a unique voice for the guitar. The song seamlessly shifts between Persian 7/8 and Spanish 3/4, blending cultural influences.”
This is Shahab’s second album featuring his core Trio band members Gavrilo Alexič on bass and Petr Hádr on drums. He also collaborated with Iranian writer Razi Ansari, flautist Anna Kurková, and percussionist Tokhi on select tracks.
The album’s artwork is illustrated by Iranian-American artist Reza Saleh, a long-time friend of Shahab. Saleh’s fusion approach, blending Persian elements with modern expression, mirrors Shahab’s musical philosophy. Depicting “oxymoron” as two faces of light and shadow, the artwork visually articulates the album’s exploration of contrasting cultural messages.
For those familiar with Mr. Tolouie’s artistic journey, “Oxymoron” presents a new angle on his established style in comparison to his previous works, the albums “Tango Perso” and “Terra Mediterranea.” For those new to Tolouie’s work, “Oxymoron” serves as an introduction to an artist who transcends genre, offering a profound experience of how cultures enrich each other through musical expression.
This album was awarded the support of Czech OSA Partnership Program.
December 14, 2023, Shahab Tolouie releases his new single, ‘Yalda’, a tribute to the ancient Iranian celebration of Shabe Yalda, also known as the Winter Solstice. Through this poignant melody and powerful lyrics artist aims to preserve the traditions of his homeland while introducing them to a wider audience, fostering cross-cultural understanding and igniting a spark of hope for the future.
In solidarity with the Iranian people’s unwavering pursuit of freedom, we have released three powerful anthems echoing their resounding call for change. Our first song, “Pasokh” (The Answer), debuted in October 2022, igniting a spark of hope amidst the ongoing struggle.
It’s March 21st and, yes, our new album is out, released on hundreds digital platforms. It is available for listening in at least 170 countries out of existing 195 from today. You can listen to “Terra Mediterranea” album for free, with paid subscription, downloading high quality tracks or purchasing a USB card directly from our shop. This album is distributed physically only from our on-line shop and this is the link where you can make your purchase.
Pre-order Shahab Tolouie Trio’s upcoming album ‘Terra Mediterranea‘ (USB) now and get FREE SHIPPING. The offer was valid until the official release date March 21st, 2021. Pre-order offer is not valid anymore.
2021 has started with a wave of pleasant news for our band. One of them is an invaluable support for the band by SoundCzech. We received proposition to record live session of of our four songs. Three songs are from our upcoming album “Terra Mediterranea” set for release on Spring 2021.
All the preparation and shooting took place in the middle of December. The result – professionally produced video/sound in a calming and rather faded atmosphere of the legendary Palac Akropolis in Prague. The songs played live, exactly how you’ll hear at our concerts. Except we had to rearrange the songs to be a bit shorter for the teaser.
We are delighted to announce the international release of “Let Me Die”, both as single and videoclip. The song composed by Shahab Tolouie at the beginning of 2017. The lyrics is a beautiful ghazal by the prominent Iranian contemporary poet, lyricist and activist, twice nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature, the late Simin Behbahani, whose birthday is on July 19th.
July 19th, (tir 28th by Persian calendar), is the release date for Shahab’s new single/video “Let Me Die”. Song composed at the beginning of this year. And performed live for the first time at Nowruz 2017 celebration concert in Prague. The track features well known Iranian percussionist Habib Meftah Boushehri on percussions and back vocal, as well as the band members. The videoclip shot earlier in Prague. So, Visit our website on July 19th and be amongst the first who watches and listens to this beautiful song. As of now, here are some pictures from shooting day:
