Iranian DJ and producer AliPink has launched Techno Tehran Records, a label dedicated to showcasing electronic music from Iran's underground scene while navigating the country's restrictive cultural environment. In a recent interview with EDM Identity, she detailed the obstacles Iranian artists face and the strategies they employ to maintain creative output.
Operating Under Restrictions
Electronic music production and performance in Iran exist in a legal gray zone. Public performances require government approval that rarely comes, pushing the scene underground. AliPink explained that artists often work in home studios using production software and hardware shipped through unofficial channels, as international retailers typically don't serve Iranian customers due to sanctions.
"We have to be creative not just with our music, but with how we access the tools to make it. Every piece of gear, every software license is a challenge." — AliPink
The DJ community relies heavily on VPN services to access streaming platforms, tutorial content, and distribution networks. Payment processing remains a persistent barrier—Iranian artists cannot use standard services like PayPal or Stripe, complicating everything from purchasing plugins to collecting royalties from international platforms.
Building a Label from Exile
AliPink now operates Techno Tehran Records from outside Iran, a common pattern among artists who maintain connections to the domestic scene while working from abroad. The label focuses on techno and minimal productions from Iranian artists, offering them a pathway to international distribution that bypasses local restrictions.
The label's releases appear on platforms including Beatport and Bandcamp, though Iranian residents cannot directly purchase from these services without technical workarounds. AliPink noted that many Iranian producers distribute their music free through SoundCloud and YouTube to reach both domestic and international audiences, forgoing traditional monetization.
The Technical Workarounds
Iranian producers have developed informal networks for acquiring gear and software. Equipment often enters the country through neighboring states, marked up significantly from retail prices. Ableton Live, Traktor, and Rekordbox are widely used but frequently pirated due to purchase restrictions, though some artists use alternative payment methods through third parties abroad.
Cloud collaboration tools that Western producers take for granted—from Splice to WeTransfer—require VPN access and workarounds. File sharing happens through Telegram channels and private Discord servers where Iranian artists exchange projects, samples, and technical advice.
The situation has created a generation of producers skilled at maximizing limited resources. AliPink pointed to the quality of output from the scene as evidence that creativity persists despite systemic obstacles. Techno Tehran Records aims to provide professional-grade releases and proper crediting for artists whose work might otherwise remain in digital obscurity.
The label currently has three releases scheduled for the remainder of 2026, featuring producers still based in Tehran and Isfahan.
