Ariana Delawari: Lion of Panjshir

The record borrows its title from Ahmad Shah Massoud, the revolutionary leader nicknamed "The Lion of Panjshir". Massoud, a prominent anti-Taliban leader and a lover of art and poetry, was assassinated on Sept. 9, 2001. A theme of identity runs through The Lion of Panjshir, and Delawari's songs move back and forth between Afghan and Western styles of music. Filmmaker and producer David Lynch is a fan of Delawari's. After hearing her play a live show, he signed her to his label and mixed her record himself.