Iranian-Canadian Siner Songwriter Naghmeh Releases New Single “Étoile filante”, Showcasing the Beauty of French in Music
Naghmeh is an Iranian-Canadian singer-songwriter based in Montreal, with musical roots that trace back to her early days in San Francisco. Her sound is a blend of the places that shaped her—Montreal’s expressive indie scene, San Francisco’s creative grit, and the emotional depth of her Iranian heritage. Singing in English, French, and Farsi, she connects effortlessly with audiences from different backgrounds, creating music that feels personal no matter the listener’s language. Her latest single, “Burn,” was recently featured on Global Montreal, and she’s currently expanding her craft as a resident artist at Barnhouse Studio.
A child of war and revolution, Naghmeh brings a sense of purpose to everything she writes. Her songs often speak for those who can’t, shining light on social issues and global struggles with vulnerability and strength. Musically, she’s hard to pin down in the best way—imagine the raw honesty of Alanis Morissette mixed with the quirky edge of Talking Heads, all filtered through the intensity of growing up listening to Metallica in Iran. The result is a sound that’s bold, heartfelt, and entirely her own.
We’ve all heard the old riddle, but the modern version feels even more telling: pics or it didn’t happen. In a world where everything is photographed, posted, and performed, it’s easy to feel like our experiences only matter if someone else witnesses them. Life starts to look like a competition we never agreed to join—one with no clear rules and no finish line. But the truth is simple: the tree still falls. Life still happens. Beautiful, miraculous moments surround us every day, with or without an audience. We don’t need anyone’s validation to exist, to shine, or to feel joy.
That spirit is at the heart of “Étoile filante”. Naghmeh leads on electric guitar and vocals, backed by a group of musicians who help bring the track’s warmth and energy to life: Rebecca Field on drums, Daniela Rivera on bass, Adrian Foster on modular synths, and Mary-Kate Edwards on backing vocals. Guest artists Kevin Britten (vibraphone) and Arthur Pascau Smith (clarinet, acoustic guitar) add their own layers of texture. Produced and arranged by Naghmeh Shafiei and Arthur Pascau Smith, recorded by Arthur at Wetfoot Media, mixed by Jacob Lacroix-Cardinal, and mastered by Paul Edwards of UnFamous Audio, the result is a song that reminds us we’re allowed to step out of the spotlight and just be—no audience required.
Make sure you check out “Étoile filante” on Spotify below!
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Photo by Julie Spoltore
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Who am I? Just some guy who decided to start writing on the Internet years ago and now operates his own brand and site. Owner/Operator of Modern Neon Media, I make all kinds of niche content to suit my interests at the time. DIY Enthusiast, Brewmaster extraordinaire, and avid freak for geek culture. Follow on my socials for a more “on” version of me.
