Irfan (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Irfan

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Img_capt = Irfan performing live at Castlefest, Lisse, August 2, 2008
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Origin = Bulgaria
Genre = World music, neo-classical
Years_active = 2001-Present
Label = Prikosnovénie, Noir Records
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Current_members = Vladislava Todorova
Ivailo Petrov
Kalin Yordanov
Kiril Bakardjiev
Peter Todorov
Past_members =
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Irfan is a Bulgarian world music band that was founded in 2001. The band's name is taken from the Arabic/Persian word Irfan. Though similar in style to established bands such as Dead Can Dance, Love Is Colder Than Death, Sarband, and Vas, Irfan is known for its extensive use of a choir of male vocals in addition to the ethereal and mystic female vocals of Denitza Seraphimova in combination with an assortment of traditional medieval percussive, string and wind instruments including the darbouka, daf, bendir, oud, saz, santoor, ghaida, duduk and viola da gamba. Irfan's music and reliance on traditional instruments is based on a blend of the musical influences common to Bulgaria, and thus represents a blend of medieval European, Balkan and Middle-Eastern styles.

The band was first signed by the French label Prikosnovénie and made its debut appearance on Prikosnovénie's "Fairy World" compilation of various medieval and heavenly voices bands in 2003. Irfan's first (self-titled) album was also released in Europe that same year by Prikosnovénie, and released in North America by Noir Records. Some of the songs released on recent compilations were not included on Irfan's debut release.

The band released their second album, entitled "Seraphim" in October 2007.

Discography

Full length albums and EPs:
* "Irfan" (2003) - Prikosnovénie/Noir Records
* "Seraphim" (2007) - Prikosnovénie

Compilation appearances:
*"Otkrovenie" on "Fairy World No. 1" Prikosnovénie (2003)
*"Otkrovenie" on "" Dancing Ferret Discs (2005)
*"Stella Splendens" on "Fairy World II" Prikosnovénie (2005)
*"Otkrovenie" on "Asleep By Dawn Magazine DCD 2005 Tour CD" Asleep By Dawn (2005)
*"Peregrinatio" on "Asleep By Dawn Magazine DCD 2005 Tour CD" Asleep By Dawn (2005)
*"Star of the Winds" on "Dancing in the Dark 2006: A Dancing Ferret Compilation" Dancing Ferret Discs (2006)
*"Fei" on "Effleurment: A Prikosnovénie Compilation" Prikosnovénie (2006)
*"Simurgh" on "Fairy World III" Prikosnovénie (2007)

List of band members

*Denitza Seraphimova (2002-2006) -- vocals
*Vladislava Todorova (2006-present) -- vocals
*Kalin Yordanov (2001-present) -- vocals, daf, bendir
*Ivailo Petrov (2001-present) -- programming, oud, saz, guitars, percussion
*Kiril Bakardjiev (2001-present) -- programming, keyboard, santoor, saz
*Peter Todorov (2004-present)-- darbouka, zarb, riq

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/irfantheband Myspace page of the band]
* [http://www.prikosnovenie.com/groupes/Irfank.html Prikosnovénie description and interview]
* [http://www.noir-records.com/ Noir Records]
* [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Irfan Discogs Irfan discography]