Episode Transcript
Hello, my name is Aziz and I'm the son of a divorced mother.
She is really my superhero.
That's why it's important for me to support women to share their uniqueness, their personalities,
perspectives, and emotions about this world.
In these difficult times in human history, we need to bring the people of the world together.
And when we hear the voices of women, when we listen to real lives of women from other countries,
we connect our cultures without differences or stereotypes, and we get inspired
by their stories to live a better life.
That's what this podcast is all about.
My guest today is DJ Perry.
Perry is an Iranian DJ specializing in electronic body music,
EBM, techno, electro, dark wave, and disco.
She loves being a DJ, music, dancing, flow arts, nature, camping, books, yoga, gym,
hair coloring, and hair treatment.
DJ Perry, how are you today?
Hello, I'm good and I'm so honored to be here.
This is such an exciting experience for me and gives me the opportunity to share my journey
and my stories with you.
I'm honored. I'm lucky.
I feel so happy to learn more about you.
And I'll begin with this nice first question.
Perry, if your friends could describe your personality, what would they say about you?
Well, there are some good and some bad habits.
I'm going to tell you both.
Um, they say I'm kind, loyal, optimistic, and have a compassionate personality.
When I want something, I'm not going to stop till I have it.
And I believe that people are good and life is good.
Then I bring out the best in other people.
And they say I'm a good listener and always trying to be honest with them.
But sometimes I could be rude by being too much honest.
And sometimes I could be super sensitive and impatient.
I understand. Thank you.
That's really, really interesting.
And also the fact you are a DJ in Iran, which is not easy.
I'm curious about your life.
What is your story?
What did you do before becoming a DJ?
And how were you able to become a DJ in Iran?
Um, well, in my twenties, I started my first job as a marketing person.
I was selling hair and skin products and I was a beauty consultant.
Even I went to professional classes for hair color and hair treatments
and worked in beauty salons for a few years.
Actually, I was really good at it, but you know,
it wasn't my passion and what I desired in childhood.
I'd never see myself as a person who just have a regular normal life
and goes to work every day.
I was spending my energy and my time in the wrong place.
In the meantime, when I was down and feeling sad,
music and dancing was the only things that helped me forget about
disappointments and every heartbreaks and rough times.
Finally, the dance floor was the only place that I could be my true self
and express my feeling and discovering my body parts and their abilities.
So after many years and many parting and many selections of music,
I fell in love with body music, take note, garbage and disco.
And always be in front of DJs.
Well, that was really cool for me.
I just wanted to see what other DJs doing while they're mixing
and give the crowd what they want.
So I choose to become a DJ and be one of the girls
who choose to run against our government system by music.
Thank you.
I love your ambition and what you expressed right there.
And I'm very curious because I know it's not easy.
How do other girls work as DJs in Iran?
How is that situation all of it?
Well, you know, for a girl, it's a thousand times harder
to be in a music field, especially being an underground DJ.
But you know, all of my life, I was doing other stuff and things
and I couldn't please myself or do what I love the most.
But I see how our brave young girls who are passionate about music
and being a DJ are really acting on it and doing a nice job
and playing for a really huge crowd in Tehran and other big cities.
Besides every dangers and consequences
and the risk with the government and the police.
I wish good luck to all of them.
Thank you so much.
I understand.
And I respect and admire Iranian women and girls for doing this.
And I understand that being a DJ and that field is very competitive.
There are many people who are trying to succeed.
How can you succeed?
How can you be unique and different
and show yourself in a good way in such a competitive field?
That was a really excellent question.
Well, in my opinion, most importantly, you should love what you are doing
and at least spend four or five hours per day
practicing and learning new things.
I think good communication and professional behavior
is one of the most important things in the music industry.
Also, being creative and following up new updates
can really influence your skills.
Thank you so much.
Really, I mean, I love the wisdom
and that you're taking risks every day, etc.
And that shows a lot of confidence.
Do you have any advice for women who are listening
about how to find their confidence to grow it?
Because you're doing something that many people in your country think
it may be dangerous to do, etc.
So what can other women learn to increase their confidence?
I think self-confidence is a feeling of self-assurance
from appreciating your uniqueness and qualities and your abilities.
I think confidence helps us feel ready for life experiences.
When we are confident, we're more likely to move forward.
With people and opportunities.
And in my opinion, identify the skills you need
and explore the job that describes you as your dream role.
And gain your new skills.
Once you identify the skills you need
and figure out how you plan to achieve them
and how much time you need to do.
For example, getting a project management certification
can be an excellent strategy if you aspire to be a project manager
or a teacher or a music producer.
And I think these are the most important things
that you should do for improving your confidence.
Thank you so much.
And you spoke about skills.
In general, for you as someone in a competitive field
and for other women, what is your strategy
or the way you recommend for becoming better,
for constantly improving your skills?
Because you spoke about how that helps you become fearless and confident.
Most importantly, you should not compare yourself with others
and only you should compare yourself with you.
I think the only person who can help improve your skills
and your professional career is you.
And don't think other people say, honestly, that's very important.
I don't give a damn what other people say about me.
I just do what I have to do and what I love.
And most importantly, I skip fear.
Fear is the most important thing that can help you back.
And I think it's really, really important to face your fears
and go forward to your goals.
Thank you so much, Peri.
Honestly, it was my honor and my privilege
to have you on this podcast, to share your voice
and your experience as a female Iranian DJ.
I wish you success.
I wish you all your ambitions to become true.
And thank you again.
It was my pleasure and honor.
And I'm very happy to share my story with you
and other girls all around the world.
