Kavus Torabi
Encyclopedia
Kavus Torabi is a British musician and composer (of Iranian descent). A multi-instrumentalist, he is known for his work in the avant-garde rock field (primarily as a guitarist). Torabi was one of the founding members of The Monsoon Bassoon
(as singer, guitarist and one of the two primary composers) and subsequently joined the cult psychedelic rock
group Cardiacs
as second guitarist.
He currently fronts his own group Knifeworld
and also plays guitar for Guapo
, as well as being a member of North Sea Radio Orchestra
and a touring musician of choice for The Mediaeval Baebes and Chrome Hoof
.
, XTC
), British and American art/progressive rock (Cardiacs
, Henry Cow
, Yes
, Hatfield & The North, Don Caballero
), folk music
, minimalist music
, various forms of hard rock and heavy metal (Voivod
, Melvins) and many others.
, UK, when he was eighteen months old, originally planning to return once his father had made sufficient money, but ended up settling permanently following the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran. "Most" of Torabi's relatives remain in Iran, but he himself has never returned.
Torabi remembers that his family were not particularly musical (although his mother knew a few guitar chords) but that he humself was interested in music from an early age (in particular the music from TV shows). Torabi taught himself music by inventing his own form of notation and using it to score out the theme from CHIPS. When he was seven, his family bought a piano and he used it as a compositional tool - already writing songs of his own, he showed little interest in learning those of others. From 1980, he became interested in pop music (initially becoming inspired by Brian Setzer
and The Stray Cats) and began teaching himself how to play guitar. Eight years later, aged sixteen, he discovered his main musical touchstone in the form of Cardiacs
, although in the interim he had taught himself more about music by sequential obsessions with various other bands and music forms.
in which he played guitar and in which he first met his close friend and collaborator, Dan Chudley. (Chudley - a fellow guitarist and singer - has been part of Torabi's life for most of his musical career, and the two are noted for their interlocking, highly complex guitar style.) Die Laughing released three demos before they eventually split in 1993.
, in which they were joined by bass player Laurie Osbourne and two more Squid Squad members (singing clarinet/flute/sax player Sarah Measures and drummer Jamie Keddie). Their musical - an energetic and tuneful form of psychedelic math rock - was built around Torabi and Chudley's singular compositions. The group soon relocated from Plymouth
to Leyton
, East London
and began to gain underground attention, releasing recordings on their own Weird Neighbourhood Records label.
Despite scoring several Single of the Week awards in New Musical Express, the Monsoon Bassoon failed to get signed to a larger label or make a significant commercial breakthrough, although they did receive critical acclaim and a cult following for their unorthodox approach and sound. The band released a lone, well-regarded studio album (I Dig Your Voodoo) and five singles, and split up in 2001 following the exit of Keddie. Many of the band's recordings remain unreleased.
(lead singer and song writer for Cardiacs
), who produced the majority of The Monsoon Bassoon
’s recordings. Having been Cardiacs' guitar technician since around 1995, Torabi finally joined the band as second guitarist in 2003 (replacing Jon Poole
). His first appearance with Cardiacs was at their now legendary three-date Garage concerts (at which they played only archive material from their first two cassette releases). He was not publicly revealed as a full member until the next round of concerts. He featured on their 2007 single, Ditzy Scene (for which he also wrote the lyrics) and contributed to recordings for a subsequent album tentatively titled LSD (which remains unreleased). Despite Cardiacs' hiatus since 2008 (due to Tim Smith's long-term hospitalisation), Torabi remains a full member of the band.
is Torabi's current main band. Originally a solo project, it has since become a full band since Torabi decided that he would prefer to make it a group project. Knifeworld originated from around the time of the Monsoon Bassoon's breakup, but only released its first material eight years later following a long recording period. The current lineup of Knifeworld is Torabi (vocals, guitar, various instruments), Khyam Allami
(drums - ex-Ursa and Art of Burning Water), Melanie Woods (vocals - also of Sidi Bou Said
), Craig Fortnam (bass guitar - also of North Sea Radio Orchestra
), and two members of the avant-garde rock orchestra Chrome Hoof
- keyboard player Emmett Elvin and bassoonist/saxophonist/backing singer Chloe Herington. (Steve Gilchrist
has also been involved as project drummer when Allami, who has a burgeoning parallel career as an ud
player, is unavailable.)
, and has featured on both of the project's albums to date.
Torabi joined the instrumental avant-psychedelic/progressive rock band Guapo
as guitarist in 2006. He has toured extensively with the band, although is yet to feature on any of the band's recordings.
as a touring musician with The Mediaeval Baebes. He was also a touring guitarist with Chrome Hoof
between 2009 and 2010 (and made contributions to their 2010 album Crush Depth).
and from Monsoon Bassoon drummer Jamie Keddie) and consequently folded. Torabi, Chudley and Keddie worked together again when they formed another rock band, Authority, in 2005 (the lineup was completed by Craig Fortnam of North Sea Radio Orchestra
on bass). Authority recorded several songs and played live over the next two years, but never released anything beyond a couple of MySpace uploads. The band split in 2007 due to the various members' other commitments and Chudley's move to Cornwall.
Torabi and Chudley have worked on another project together - the instrumental Hatchjaw & Bassett, which Chudley has described as "acoustic spiritual music". This project has not released any records, although a video featuring the duo and their music has appeared on YouTube.
, Torabi toured as guitarist with former Pogues member Spider Stacy
's group, Wisemen (which also featured other ex-Pogues). After line-up changes, the group became The Vendettas.
Torabi co-wrote and produced an album with Spider in 2003, but the project was shelved in the wake of the Pogues’ reunion that year. Torabi has subsequently expressed an interest in releasing the album on his own Believer's Roast label.
, Tunng
, Max Tundra
, Foe and The Monsoon Bassoon
and fronted by singer Andy Carne. Torabi plays mandolin and guitar (and sings backing vocals) for the group.
and his work on the as-yet-unreleased Vendettas album, Torabi is currently producing, playing on and arranging an album by guitarist Tom Clues (Knifeworld/Cousteau
/Emiliana Torrini
band), adding "layers and layers of crazy psychedelia, funny instruments and really expansive arrangements."
The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
(as singer, guitarist and one of the two primary composers) and subsequently joined the cult psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
group Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
as second guitarist.
He currently fronts his own group Knifeworld
Knifeworld (British rock band)
Knifeworld is a British-based psychedelic rock band led by Kavus Torabi. Originally a Torabi solo project, it became a full band in summer 2009....
and also plays guitar for Guapo
Guapo (band)
Guapo is a British experimental rock/art rock band formed in the mid 1990s by drummer/percussionist Dave Smith and guitarist/vocalist Matt Thompson...
, as well as being a member of North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
and a touring musician of choice for The Mediaeval Baebes and Chrome Hoof
Chrome Hoof
Chrome Hoof are an experimental orchestra based in London, England. The group was formed in 2000 by Cathedral bassist Leo Smee and his brother Milo Smee. Initially performing as a duo, their music was mostly electronic. Since the start, however, the group have continuously recruited new members...
.
Musical style
Torabi is reluctant to be pegged as a particular stylist, and his music has always drawn on a wide variety of influences. These have included indie and alternative rock (Pixies, Shudder To ThinkShudder to Think
Shudder to Think is an American indie rock group. Formed in 1986, they released three albums on the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records and were a post-hardcore band, although they drew upon a wide range of stylistic influences, including pop....
, XTC
XTC
XTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
), British and American art/progressive rock (Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
, Henry Cow
Henry Cow
Henry Cow were an English avant-rock group, founded at Cambridge University in 1968 by multi-instrumentalists Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson. Henry Cow's personnel fluctuated over their decade together, but drummer Chris Cutler and bassoonist/oboist Lindsay Cooper were important long-term members...
, Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
, Hatfield & The North, Don Caballero
Don Caballero
Don Caballero are an American rock group from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The group took their name from the character Guy Caballero, portrayed by Joe Flaherty, on the sketch comedy show Second City Television...
), folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, minimalist music
Minimalist music
Minimal music is a style of music associated with the work of American composers La Monte Young, Terry Riley, Steve Reich, and Philip Glass. It originated in the New York Downtown scene of the 1960s and was initially viewed as a form of experimental music called the New York Hypnotic School....
, various forms of hard rock and heavy metal (Voivod
Voivod (band)
Voivod are a Canadian heavy metal band from Jonquière, Quebec, Canada. Their musical style has changed several times since the band's origin in the early 1980s...
, Melvins) and many others.
History and main musical projects
Kavus Torabi was born in Iran to an Iranian father and an English mother. His family moved to PlymouthPlymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, UK, when he was eighteen months old, originally planning to return once his father had made sufficient money, but ended up settling permanently following the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran. "Most" of Torabi's relatives remain in Iran, but he himself has never returned.
Torabi remembers that his family were not particularly musical (although his mother knew a few guitar chords) but that he humself was interested in music from an early age (in particular the music from TV shows). Torabi taught himself music by inventing his own form of notation and using it to score out the theme from CHIPS. When he was seven, his family bought a piano and he used it as a compositional tool - already writing songs of his own, he showed little interest in learning those of others. From 1980, he became interested in pop music (initially becoming inspired by Brian Setzer
Brian Setzer
Brian Setzer is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He first found widespread success in the early 1980s with the 1950s-style rockabilly revival group The Stray Cats, and revitalized his career in the late 1990s with a jazz-oriented big band.-Career:Setzer was born in Massapequa, New York...
and The Stray Cats) and began teaching himself how to play guitar. Eight years later, aged sixteen, he discovered his main musical touchstone in the form of Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
, although in the interim he had taught himself more about music by sequential obsessions with various other bands and music forms.
Die Laughing (1988–1993)
Torabi's first significant band was Die Laughing, formed in 1988. This was a psychedelic/thrash metal group formed in Torabi's native PlymouthPlymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
in which he played guitar and in which he first met his close friend and collaborator, Dan Chudley. (Chudley - a fellow guitarist and singer - has been part of Torabi's life for most of his musical career, and the two are noted for their interlocking, highly complex guitar style.) Die Laughing released three demos before they eventually split in 1993.
The Monsoon Bassoon (1994–2001)
In 1994, Torabi reunited with Chudley, who had been playing in a band called Squid Squad since the previous year. The two formed a new band called The Monsoon BassoonThe Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
, in which they were joined by bass player Laurie Osbourne and two more Squid Squad members (singing clarinet/flute/sax player Sarah Measures and drummer Jamie Keddie). Their musical - an energetic and tuneful form of psychedelic math rock - was built around Torabi and Chudley's singular compositions. The group soon relocated from Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
to Leyton
Leyton
Leyton is an area of north-east London and part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest, located north east of Charing Cross. It borders Walthamstow and Leytonstone; Stratford in Newham; and Homerton and Lower Clapton in the London Borough of Hackney....
, East London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and began to gain underground attention, releasing recordings on their own Weird Neighbourhood Records label.
Despite scoring several Single of the Week awards in New Musical Express, the Monsoon Bassoon failed to get signed to a larger label or make a significant commercial breakthrough, although they did receive critical acclaim and a cult following for their unorthodox approach and sound. The band released a lone, well-regarded studio album (I Dig Your Voodoo) and five singles, and split up in 2001 following the exit of Keddie. Many of the band's recordings remain unreleased.
Cardiacs (2003–present)
Since the mid-1990s Torabi has had a close working relationship with Tim SmithTim Smith (Cardiacs)
Tim Smith is an English singer-songwriter, composer, poet, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and music video director....
(lead singer and song writer for Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
), who produced the majority of The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
’s recordings. Having been Cardiacs' guitar technician since around 1995, Torabi finally joined the band as second guitarist in 2003 (replacing Jon Poole
Jon Poole
Jon Poole is a British multi-instrumentalist singer and songwriter best known for his work as guitarist for Cardiacs and as bass player for The Wildhearts .Poole is the frontman and main performer of God Damn Whores, and has also worked with the...
). His first appearance with Cardiacs was at their now legendary three-date Garage concerts (at which they played only archive material from their first two cassette releases). He was not publicly revealed as a full member until the next round of concerts. He featured on their 2007 single, Ditzy Scene (for which he also wrote the lyrics) and contributed to recordings for a subsequent album tentatively titled LSD (which remains unreleased). Despite Cardiacs' hiatus since 2008 (due to Tim Smith's long-term hospitalisation), Torabi remains a full member of the band.
Knifeworld (circa 2002–present)
KnifeworldKnifeworld (British rock band)
Knifeworld is a British-based psychedelic rock band led by Kavus Torabi. Originally a Torabi solo project, it became a full band in summer 2009....
is Torabi's current main band. Originally a solo project, it has since become a full band since Torabi decided that he would prefer to make it a group project. Knifeworld originated from around the time of the Monsoon Bassoon's breakup, but only released its first material eight years later following a long recording period. The current lineup of Knifeworld is Torabi (vocals, guitar, various instruments), Khyam Allami
Khyam Allami
Khyam Allami is a British-based musician and musicologist of Iraqi descent. He is best known as a contemporary player of the Arabic oud lute and has also written about and lectured on Arabic music.Allami has studied oud and composition with a...
(drums - ex-Ursa and Art of Burning Water), Melanie Woods (vocals - also of Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said
Sidi Bou Said is a town in northern Tunisia located about 20 km from the capital, Tunis.The town got its name for a Muslim religious figure who lived there, Abou Said ibn Khalef ibn Yahia Ettamini el Beji . The town itself is a tourist attraction as it is known for the extensive use of blue and...
), Craig Fortnam (bass guitar - also of North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
), and two members of the avant-garde rock orchestra Chrome Hoof
Chrome Hoof
Chrome Hoof are an experimental orchestra based in London, England. The group was formed in 2000 by Cathedral bassist Leo Smee and his brother Milo Smee. Initially performing as a duo, their music was mostly electronic. Since the start, however, the group have continuously recruited new members...
- keyboard player Emmett Elvin and bassoonist/saxophonist/backing singer Chloe Herington. (Steve Gilchrist
Steve Gilchrist
Steve Gilchrist is a politician in Ontario, Canada. He was a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1995 to 2003, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of Mike Harris....
has also been involved as project drummer when Allami, who has a burgeoning parallel career as an ud
Oud
The oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern music. The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths...
player, is unavailable.)
Work with North Sea Radio Orchestra and Guapo
Since 2002, Torabi has regularly sung as part of the chorus of classical/art-rock crossover project North Sea Radio OrchestraNorth Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
, and has featured on both of the project's albums to date.
Torabi joined the instrumental avant-psychedelic/progressive rock band Guapo
Guapo (band)
Guapo is a British experimental rock/art rock band formed in the mid 1990s by drummer/percussionist Dave Smith and guitarist/vocalist Matt Thompson...
as guitarist in 2006. He has toured extensively with the band, although is yet to feature on any of the band's recordings.
Work as touring player with Mediaeval Baebes and Chrome Hoof
Torabi regularly plays guitar and cuatroCuatro (instrument)
The cuatro is any of several Latin American instruments of the guitar or lute family. The cuatro is smaller than a guitar. Cuatro means four in Spanish, although current instruments may have more than four strings....
as a touring musician with The Mediaeval Baebes. He was also a touring guitarist with Chrome Hoof
Chrome Hoof
Chrome Hoof are an experimental orchestra based in London, England. The group was formed in 2000 by Cathedral bassist Leo Smee and his brother Milo Smee. Initially performing as a duo, their music was mostly electronic. Since the start, however, the group have continuously recruited new members...
between 2009 and 2010 (and made contributions to their 2010 album Crush Depth).
Further work with Dan Chudley (Miss Helsinki, Authority, Hatchjaw & Bassett)
Since the breakup of The Monsoon Bassoon, Torabi has maintained an ongoing (if interrupted) musical relationship with Dan Chudley, resulting in several other projects. The first of these was Miss Helsinki, a more straightforward rock band which recorded a couple of tracks and played a few acoustic gigs in 2002. The band failed to find a steady lineup (despite assistance from Richard Larcombe from Stars In BattledressStars In Battledress (band)
Stars In Battledress are an English musical duo featuring brothers Richard and James Larcombe. They are notable for their complex but tuneful compositions, their unorthodox fusion of folk music sources and British/American art rock influences, and for their intricate and allusive lyrics.A related...
and from Monsoon Bassoon drummer Jamie Keddie) and consequently folded. Torabi, Chudley and Keddie worked together again when they formed another rock band, Authority, in 2005 (the lineup was completed by Craig Fortnam of North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra
North Sea Radio Orchestra is an English contemporary music ensemble and cross-disciplinary chamber orchestra ....
on bass). Authority recorded several songs and played live over the next two years, but never released anything beyond a couple of MySpace uploads. The band split in 2007 due to the various members' other commitments and Chudley's move to Cornwall.
Torabi and Chudley have worked on another project together - the instrumental Hatchjaw & Bassett, which Chudley has described as "acoustic spiritual music". This project has not released any records, although a video featuring the duo and their music has appeared on YouTube.
Work with Spider Stacy (2001–2003)
Before the split of The Monsoon BassoonThe Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
, Torabi toured as guitarist with former Pogues member Spider Stacy
Spider Stacy
Peter "Spider" Stacy is an English musician. He is one of the founding members of London Irish band The Pogues.- External links :* [Twitter @SpiderStacy] [myspace.com/spiderstacythepogues]*...
's group, Wisemen (which also featured other ex-Pogues). After line-up changes, the group became The Vendettas.
Torabi co-wrote and produced an album with Spider in 2003, but the project was shelved in the wake of the Pogues’ reunion that year. Torabi has subsequently expressed an interest in releasing the album on his own Believer's Roast label.
Admirals Hard
Torabi is a member of Admirals Hard, an occasional "sea-shanty supergroup" made up of members of London math-rock bands and avant-garde folk groups (Stars In BattledressStars In Battledress (band)
Stars In Battledress are an English musical duo featuring brothers Richard and James Larcombe. They are notable for their complex but tuneful compositions, their unorthodox fusion of folk music sources and British/American art rock influences, and for their intricate and allusive lyrics.A related...
, Tunng
Tunng
Tunng are an experimental folk band from the United Kingdom.The band is often associated with the folktronica genre due to the electronic influences evident in some of their work.-Biography:...
, Max Tundra
Max Tundra
Ben Jacobs, more commonly known by the stage name Max Tundra, is an English multi-instrumental musician, singer and music producer. His work is predominantly electronic music but incorporates non-electronic styles and instruments...
, Foe and The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon
The Monsoon Bassoon were a British independent rock band active between 1995 and 2001, notable for their exceptionally complex and energetic music. During their lifespan, the band won the NME's Single Of The Week award three times...
and fronted by singer Andy Carne. Torabi plays mandolin and guitar (and sings backing vocals) for the group.
Work as producer
In addition to self-producing for KnifeworldKnifeworld (British rock band)
Knifeworld is a British-based psychedelic rock band led by Kavus Torabi. Originally a Torabi solo project, it became a full band in summer 2009....
and his work on the as-yet-unreleased Vendettas album, Torabi is currently producing, playing on and arranging an album by guitarist Tom Clues (Knifeworld/Cousteau
Cousteau (band)
Cousteau are a London-based band who enjoyed considerable international success, particularly in Italy and the U.S. from 1999 to 2003. The band's sound has been compared to Burt Bacharach, Scott Walker and David Bowie with an updated contemporary edge....
/Emiliana Torrini
Emilíana Torrini
Emilíana Torrini Davíðsdóttir is an Icelandic singer, best known for her 2009 single Jungle Drum, 1999 album Love in the Time of Science and for performing "Gollum's Song" for Peter Jackson's film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.-Early life:Torrini grew up in Kópavogur, where, at the age of...
band), adding "layers and layers of crazy psychedelia, funny instruments and really expansive arrangements."
Die Laughing
- Omnigod Cassette Demo (1991)
- Artificial Playground Cassette Demo (1992)
- 6 New Songs By Die Laughing Cassette Demo (1993)
The Monsoon Bassoon
- Redoubtable Cassette EP (1995) ORG007
- In Bold Gardens EP (1996) (unreleased)
- Wise Guy 7" (1998) WNRS1
- In the Iceman's Back Garden 7" (1998) WNRS2
- The King of Evil 7" (1999) WNRS3
- I Dig Your Voodoo CD (1999) WNRS4
- Wall of Suss 1 7" split single with Rothko (2000) WNRS5
- Wall of Suss 2 7" split single with Max Tundra (2000) WNRS6
- Summer 2001: 4 Seasons Singles Club 3 x CD (2001) DRSUM01 (featuring The Noosemaker, God Bless The Monsoon Bassoon and Brickfields)
- Useless in Bed Volume 1 Compilation CD (2002) HOS001CD (featuring one song from the unreleased In Bold Gardens EP, plus the only known recording of Miss Helsinki)
Cardiacs
- The Special Garage Concerts Vol IThe Special Garage Concerts Vol IThis is a live album recorded at the three day Garage concerts in London and released exclusively on CD.Cardiacs only played songs that predated 1984, some of which hadn't been heard for many years...
CD (2005) ALPH CD030 - The Special Garage Concerts Vol IIThe Special Garage Concerts Vol II-Description:This is a live album recorded at the three day Garage concerts in London and released exclusively on to CD.Cardiacs only played songs that predated 1984, some which had never been heard for many years. The tracks, An Ant, Hello Mr...
CD (2005) ALPH CD031 - Ditzy Scene CD Single (2007) ORG419
Knifeworld
- Pissed Up On Brake Fluid 7" (2009) BRR001V
- Buried Alone: Tales Of Crushing Defeat CD & LP (2009) BRR002
- Dear Lord, No Deal EP (2011) BR004
Mediaeval Baebes
- Temptation CD (2010) QSHEBA4 (Torabi plays electric and acoustic guitars, cuatro, bass guitar and additional vocals)
Karda Estra
- New Worlds (2011) NIDL15 (Featuring two songs co-written and performed by Torabi)
North Sea Radio Orchestra
- North Sea Radio Orchestra CD (2006) OOF006
- Birds CD (2008) OOF010 (Torabi appears as one of the choir on both)