Shahrzad Sepanlou Extracs of Los Angeles Times Article (Jan. 28, 2001) About this Young Persian Singer After months of research on Iranian Pop Music, a Los Angeles Times reporter, Jordan Raphael, wrote and published an extended article on this subject in the January 28 issue of the LA Times Sunday Magazine entitled "The Sound of Distant Stars". Although as a whole this article discusses Iranian Pop Music in Los Angeles, the main focus and content of the article consists of interviews with Shahrzad Sepanlou as well as a detailed account of her life as a glamorous Iranian singer on Television and Radio while living an ordinary day-to-day life in Los Angeles. Raphael explains that Shahrzad is normally recognized in Iranian stores and restaurants since many people around the world have become familiar with her work through Iranian Television and Radio stations. As a result, she receives a number of phone calls and emails from fans outside and inside of Iran such as the one from a woman named Yassaman who writes in her email about how much Shahrzad is loved in Iran and that her songs are constantly being played at her home. Compared to her life as an Iranian singer, Shahrzad's daily activities are typical of an ordinary person. She lives with her husband, a resident Doctor, in a two-bedroom apartment, works in an office at UCLA and shops at Trader Joe's. She says "I have a double life". The article also discusses the start of Shahrzad's professional career as one third of Silhouettt and her subsequent departure from the band to produce an album on her own called "Our Story". Unlike most Persian pop singers, Shahrzad devotes a good portion of her songs to social and political issues. One of her more popular songs "Mirdamad" which is a tribute to happier days in Tehran was written by Shahrzad's father, a famous poet who lives in Iran. The article goes on to mention the happiness and fulfillment that Shahrzad receives from knowing that her songs and her music have a deep and lasting effect on her listeners. This article which is five pages long and features two full-length glossy pictures of Shahrzad sepanlou -- taken by LA Times photo staff -- has met with considerable attention and appreciation from Iranian news agencies and music fans everywhere.