Iran So Far Away

Since the late ‘70s, Iranians have been streaming into the US in search of a better life. Today, Iranian-Americans make a significant chunk of the population of Southern California, and a community can be found in many major cities across the country. Fiercely proud of their heritage, they have retained an incredible amount of their original culture and customs, but have also developed an immigrant sub-culture over the years that is distinctly unique. “Iran So Far Away” is a parody of the Eighties classic “I Ran So Far Away” by English New Wave group Flock Of Seagulls dedicated specifically to Iranian-Americans, but the heart and soul of it is relatable to foreigners of any background who love America and have made a great life for themselves here, but still miss their homeland.

The three individuals responsible for “Iran” are respected rappers, producers and writers, longtime musical partners and members of Los Angeles’ Iranian-American community. For over ten years Malkovich has been rapping, touring and releasing independent records: three albums with his group BLX, and two as a soloist – 2006’s Skeletons, and this year’s Sicksteens. He is also an accomplished freelance writer, and is currently working on a book about the story of his family’s immigration to America from Iran. Ali Baba Abnormal has been active just as long, rapping as part of the group Handroids and as a soloist, and as a member of the ensemble cast of MTV’s Lyricist Lounge, an improvisational comedy show where all dialog is delivered entirely in rap form. A fellow co-founder of BLX, ABCDEFG has been producing music with Malkovich for over a decade, released the instrumental album Dominoes & Dice in 2005, and is an accomplished composer and musician, proficient on the guitar, piano, drums and santoor.