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Shahin’s music journey dates back to the 1970s when he was a teenager living in Tehran and jamming with friends at the International School. “Playing rock, jazz and the blues  would  stir up our imagination and transport us to places where that music originated from. It was a peek into the music and culture of America and Europe and a great way to replicate that scene from afar,” says Shahin. 

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That teen spirit evolved into the formation of several bands after high school. Amsterdam  was launched while Shahin was a student at American University. The trio gained a loyal fan base in Washington DC and opened for noted artists such as Spyro Gyra, Robert Gordon, Marshall Crenshaw, and Dave Edmunds amongst others. His second band, Feast or Famine, followed, again picking up a local following with consistent gigs in the DC region. 

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It wasn't until a few years later, when Shahin’s unique guitar voice caught the attention of Malibu-based Higher Octave Music/EMI when he recorded a CD titled “One Thousand and One Nights” with high school pal Sepehr . That album enjoyed significant radio air play on  stations nationwide, selling more than 100,000 copies in a matter of few months. The CD made it onto the Gavin, R&R, and Billboard charts. Shahin and Sepehr’s second album “e” was nominated for album of the year by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. Four subsequent albums were released by the duo on Higher Octave. Shahin has been featured on CNN, BBC, and NPR's "All Things Considered." 

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In 2012, Shahin served as Executive Producer in collaboration with the Enough Project and Downtown Records resulting in a compilation CD to bring awareness to the exploitation and genocide of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC) fueled by the conflict mineral trade. The CD "Raise Hope for Congo" features prominent Artists (Mos Def, Norah Jones and Sheryl Crow, Rodrigo & Gabriel) He has also worked with JD Steir, of Steir Forward, producing music for a social media campaign to highlight the challenges and social stigma of the Ebola virus in Africa. 

 

Shahin's production skills shined with the release of four Lawson Rollins’ CDs. Weaving a tapestry of world beats and rhythms to Rollin’s acclaimed flamenco influenced guitar playing resulted in multiple Billboard charted songs . 

 

He continues to host talented artists from around the world in his studio, setting the stage for his eclectic but accessible view on music. 

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Shahin plays a  Godin guitar with La Bella Strings