VI.BE

StraZ is the solo project of Sami Strazimiri, based in Brussels, Belgium.

After his Master's degree in classical guitar and Bachelor's degree in music composition at the Conservatoire Royal of Mons, StraZ is coming back to the European capital to develop his new musical project and shape the outlines of his universe: a sometimes crepuscular and organic electronic music, an intense and rhythmic atmosphere coloured by the dreamy soarings of his guitar. It sits somewhere between the universe of Rival Consoles, the intensity of HAAi and the pulse of Floating Points.

StraZ is flourishing in purely instrumental music that lets him sublimate his anger and frustrations in redeeming energy. Sensitive to inequalities in our occidental societies, StraZ injects in his songs a subtle narration using intense contrasts, from raging drops to suspended moments. Police violence, violence towards women and racism are as many subjects that engage and affect this artist who's as passionate about cinema as he is about novels and essays reading.

His first EP, Let's Spell it Out (2020, self-released) published at the very beginning of the lockdown, oscillates radically between academic music and dark vibes, invested collaborations. The cultural activities being put on hold and disturbing the year's plans, StraZ seized the opportunity to organise the #lockdownremixchallenge, during which he did a dozen of remixes from artists that should have offered shows in Belgium back then.

Insatiable creator, he starts composing again in a more undertaken style. In 2021, he released a new single, Missing Tambourine, which is an electronic, pressing, and uncompromising piece of music. It has a positive and liberating vibe created after the recent passing of his grandmother.

In 2023, StraZ has released his first EP on Tempest of Noise: It's Okay To Be Mad.

In april 2024, he released a new EP, with a Club aesthetic and performed it for the first time at Le Salon in Silly, in Veune, Saint-Gilles, Haulmé and Bar du Matin on 26th september.

To kick off 2025, StraZ released its new single Tears of Joy and opened for Irène Drésel at the Eden in Charleroi. More singles and concerts are planned for the spring.