Rastok
New shoots from old roots
Since their inception in 1997, Rastak has developed into one of the leading modern folk music ensembles in Iran. With respect for tradition, and a strong desire to reach beyond their own borders, they have created a completely unique expression where Iranian folk tunes, languages and regional styles meet modern rhythms and arrangements. The result is music that feels both deeply rooted and open, fresh and accessible – even to an audience that is not familiar with the Iranian musical heritage.
The latest album, Tales of Earth and Sun (2025) , is a journey through the musical traditions of Kurdistan, Lorestan, Balochistan, Hormozgan, Kermanshah and Afghanistan. It is a tribute to the cultures that have carried this music through the ages.
Rastak in Farsi is a new shoot that grows from the roots of an old tree. In this way, a new, full-fledged tree can grow out of the old strong roots and sometimes the new shoot becomes larger and stronger than the tree it grows from. -This natural rastak model is what we carry over to music when we borrow material from our historical and cultural roots, but arrange it in ways that make the music more accessible to audiences outside our own culture, says Rastak.