Too often, attempts at hybridizing Eastern melodies with contemporary rock come out as new-agey Cheez Whiz. But New York-born, Iranian-American songwriter Haale Gafori (known simply as “Haale”) resists the slippery hippie slope with her psychedelic Sufi trance-rock. Raised on Jimi Hendrix and famed Iranian pop singer Hayedeh, Haale naturally meshes Persian melodies with psychedelic rock for a sound that — like Sufi music — is entrancing, luminescent, and clearly outstanding. She has released two EPs this year so far, and collaborated with the likes of Sean Lennon, Tchad Blake (Tom Waits, Tracy Chapman), and Dougie Bowne (Cassandra Wilson, Iggy Pop). Catch her with Samvega and the Hobbyists at the Starry Plough on Thursday, May 24. 9:30 p.m., $10. StarryPloughPub.com
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