September 22-28, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA
Asian Arts Initiative Storefront

Note: ...and yet another report on this band that called themselves, Taarof. At this point, I collect a check at a PO Box in King of Prussia in exchange for writing notes and whatnot about this obscure band. New update is that they have decided to put out a recording in some format, but I haven't seen anything. I was in Québec when they were trying to record materials in a basement in New Haven, CT. I asked my friend, the Lady in Red, to follow them. Again, I asked her kindly to change to a more clandestine outfit, but she said no. Anyhow, P seems challenged by the adult life in this utopic fantasyland. He has been taking refuge in durational sex and drugs. Now that we are discussing him, I have been asked to mention for the sake of marketing that he is from Iran, which is the name of the detention center outside of Fort Bliss, Texas - and he ultimately represents that culture, however rigorously he tried to escape that space, but hey, we want him to. Moving on, M is quite elusive. The Lady in Red had a really hard time probing his life... he was seen in Philadelphia eating a sandwich at Paesano's. One thing that she revealed to me about him is that he was actually born in 1893 in Düsseldorf, in a classroom setting offering clinics via early telemed.

Report: Due 09/30/2025

June 27, 2025 – Baltimore, MD
La Mondo

Note: Too short notice to have any notes for this one.

Report: First time that they collaborated with others. They got together with Shiraz Ensemble and honestly it was pretty good. After the Ely Center show, they drove from New Haven to Philadelphia, rehearsed once all together, and did this show in Baltimore. From their conversations with others, I gathered that they went for a "free improv", whatever that means. I think their sounds blended well together.

June 25, 2025 – New Haven, CT
Ely Center of Contemporary Art

Note: It's too soon for me to write anything for this. Ely Center is an old house. She, the one in red, told me that they are dreaming about this space She mentioned deception and multichannel. That gives me a piece of entertainment to watch you being deceived, walking with smiles on your face, not knowing what is even real.

Report: It was okay, I think. P used the triangles that M had made. The space was rather noisy because of all the fans...not the fans...the fans...the ones that makes you cool. I think they both make you cool. Well, you should probably know which one I am talking about. I procastinated on writing this report and now I can't remember what happened really.

March 13, 2025 – Washington, D.C.
SuperCollider Symposium(cancelled)

Note: I think this is the third time I have been asked to write a bio for the duo, Taarof: Matt Wellins in New Haven and Parsa Ferdowsi in Philadelphia are engaging in the old tradition of taarof. They are making empty gestures. An empty gesture that is known to be empty and yet is still commonly upheld. It's been awhile since I last saw them perform and I don't know why I accepted the offer to write this text. It is unpaid. It's been really difficult to keep track of them now that they are no longer in the same state. The person who asked me to write this told me there will be text involved this time. Perhaps, after previous failed attempts, P is able to say something. She also told me that M is extremely worried about the recent climate, especially in Washington. I am too. It smells. But she mentioned that he has an updated instruction from a Japanese competition for making pour-over coffee and it might change things. I doubt it. I don't know how she collects this information. It is is difficult to wear red all the time and be surreptitious. The point is that they are being watched exactly as you are are. I'm here. I'm looking at you sitting in your chairs.

Report: No report available. They cancelled it. Between you and me, what's wrong with them?

December 7, 2024 – New Haven, CT
Grey Matter Books

Report: Thank god you were not there. They were taking photos of the audience. I was worried I would be in one of the photos but as soon as P took out the camera I left.

September 10, 2024 – New Haven, CT
The Institute Library

Note: This is supposed to be the last night of that tour. Once again I will be listening from the back of the room while anxiously checking my phone. Is she still wearing red? I hope I see her among the ten people who usually come to these shows. I want to know know who is behind this.

Report: P had an oxygen mask on the whole time. M was sitting on the ground as usual. This was rather a decent performance. No one there wearing red.

September 8, 2024 – Portland, ME
silverfish

Note: Again, Parsa Ferdowsi and Matt Wellins will be playing in the second night of what they call a mini-tour. Again, I will be listening from the back of the room while anxiously checking my phone. I am curious about the one who asks me to write these texts.

Report: I have never seen such a disaster. I can't go on like this. Do they even know what they are involved with? At least they know something about good coffee. Or at least one of them knows.

September 7, 2024 – Turners Falls, MA
audible bite

Note: Parsa Ferdowsi and Matt Wellins will be playing a duet for santur and computer. The runtime is approximately 30 minutes. I will be listening from the back of the room while anxiously checking my phone.

Report: They were anxious about the weather and it fell upon them for being possessed with a worry summons it. Their play was undone by tempets.

March 29, 2024 – Hamden, CT
Hamden Transfer Station

First time they were seen together. I was not there. No report available.