Iran

Iran is a noise pop and noise rock group from San Francisco, United States, active from 1998 to 2016. The project centres on Aaron Aites. Its sound combines catchy indie rock writing with lo-fi distortion, static, hiss, feedback and high-volume noise, placing pop melodies inside dense, abrasive textures.

Sound and style

The group works with a mix of post-punk, alternative rock and noise-pop elements, with songs that move between slow-building drones and sharp bursts of high-end feedback. Its music is described through comparisons to Pavement, Sebadoh, Smog, Skullflower and Built to Spill, reflecting a blend of lo-fi indie songcraft, psychedelic texture and heavy, damaged noise.

Characteristics and influences

Iran’s recordings and performances emphasise fuzz, blur and scuzz, with an approach that turns pop structures into fragmented, noisy pieces. The group also draws on a wide range of reference points, including Brian Wilson, Roman Polanski, indie rock and Norwegian black metal. Its live shows are noted for being loud and abrasive, and its visual identity includes tiger cover art.