 Deep Dish obssession
The sweetness of this acoustic candy was just too good to be true
By Sanaz Khalaj
September 25, 2002
The Iranian
One lucky Wednesday evening while on one of my regular visits to Tower Records
next to George Washington University in Washington DC, I came across a locally based
"band" in the dance section.
I was initially just interested because they are from DC. But to my surprise, while
I was reading the credits and track titles on the cover, I realized they are closer
to me than just a shared zip code.
I bought the double CD and anxiously tore off the annoying plastic wrap with my teeth
to experience the depth of Deep Dish. My ears were pleasantly flabbergasted. The
sweetness of this acoustic candy was just too good to be true. My obsession with
Deep Dish started right then, that very September night four years ago. [Sample
songs]
Now I'm in the midst of an ongoing effort of trying to get Deep Dish's Ali and Sharam
-- the most brilliant DJs to hit the turntables of the international club scene --
on my show. These two East-Coasters are my fellow localites, and to top it off they
are Iranian.
The two started out DJ-ing at local parties and actually, that's how they met. Since
their music has started to spread, they have been reviewed and interviewed by the
likes of Rolling Stone Magazine and many top-notch music related magazines
and shows (including appearances on MTV).
Ali "Dubfire" Shiraznia and Sharam Tayebi have worked with the Rolling
Stones, Michael and Janet Jackson, Dido, Pet Shop Boys, and N-Sync, to name a few.
With all these o their credit, there was an even bigger name that wanted to add Deep
Dish to her credits: Madonna.
Madonna contacted Deep Dish and asked them to remix the debut single from her album
Music, which turned out to be a very contagious dance track. It brought them
a "Best Remixer of the year" Grammy nomination, the highest award in the
music industry.
Wait, does that make them the first Iranians to be nominated for a Grammy? I think
so. And now they are the first Iranians to WIN a Grammy.  This
year Deep Dish won a Grammy in the same category for their work on Dido's Thank
you, which is out in their latest CD.
These boys have stayed more than true to their Red, White, and Green. They have made
a conscience effort to mention their Iranian background. They haven't bothered changing
their names in an industry where if your name sounds Middle Eastern, you have a pretty
faint chance of getting anywhere. In the case of Deep Dish, their talent was too
obvious for it not to have shone through.
The mighty duo have established themselves all over the world. They hold concerts
everywhere from Ibiza to Moscow. They know how to rock the microphone.
Ali and Sharam have used their Iranian business genes to establish a record store
in the heart of Georgetown, Washington DC. Yoshitoshi, which sells the best variety
of mixes and all sorts of beats, is also the top choice to shop for the latest and
greatest tracks by DJs from all over. The store also offers free "spinning"
lessons (check the schedule on the website
or simply go to the store to find out more).
Ali and Sharam have used their well-earned and well-deserved status in a positive
way to create a record label of their own and help upcoming artist in the industry
as opposed to falling in the wrong stream of things and trapping their destiny to
a flashy Mercedes.
For those of you in the Washington, DC metro area I do encourage you to drop by the
store and experience the global sounds of not only Deep Dish but, others that strive
to come close to theirs. For the ladies who love fashion and appreciate a nice pair
of "Miss Sixty" jeans, then this is also your spot for there also exists
a clothing section that has imported articles of clothing from unique Euro stores
that are an absolute rarity here in the U.S.
 They WOULD have been having a concert this Friday the
27th of September, and the concert WOULD have been held at Nation's nightclub, but,
because of some sort of police raid, the club's Friday venue will no longer be available
and it has been shut down as of September 21, 2002, which has brought many a tears
to my olive complexioned face.
Still, I say keep an eye on their concert schedule. They could be coming to your
neighborhood.
By the way, for those who are hesitant, Deep Dish is NOT techno music; there's a
big difference. What's the difference you ask? Go find out for yourself. Just try
not to get addicted and limit yourself to one new CD per week.
Vote for Iranian Grammy Winners "DeepDish" in DJ
Magazine's 100 Top DJ list. And tell your friends! Want to know more about
the Deep Dish duo Ali and Shahram? Go here
or go to DeepDish.com.
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