Iran's underground music scene

Iranian vocalist Azadeh Ettehad and violinist Nastaran Ghaffari, both members the band "Accolade," perform in an unauthorized stage performance in Tehran, Jan. 25, 2013.

There's an underground music scene flourishing in Iran, despite government restrictions.

It isn't necessarily a sign of rebellion against Iran's theocratic government, however. Musicians, including a female violinist who performs underground, say they enjoy the freedom their off-the-record existence provides.

Members of Iranian band "Accolade," practice as their friends listen to the performance at the house of one of their members in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 4, 2013.

Many musicians fled in the 1980s after Iran's Islamic Revolution. Today, though government minders have allowed some pop concerts to go on, musicians say all the hassles and restrictions make playing underground easier.

Iranian musician Danial Izadi, a member of "Accolade," performs for a studio recording in Tehran, Feb. 5, 2013.

"Are we underground because we want to oppose the system? No," Izadi said. "We wanted to do what we loved to do."

Members of "Accolade" perform in an unauthorized stage performance in Tehran, Jan. 25, 2013.

Musician Ardeshir Jofreh, a member of "Accolade," performs in an unauthorized stage performance in Tehran, Jan. 25, 2013.

Members of an Iranian band called "Accolade" and their friends watch a performance of British singer Adele, following a training session at the house of one of their members in Tehran, Feb. 4, 2013.

Iranian violinist Nastaran Ghaffari and Danial Izadi with his harmonica practice in a basement of a house in Tehran, Feb. 1, 2013.

Kamyar Shahdoust with bass guitar, from left, Danial Izadi with harmonica, Nastaran Ghaffari with violin and Hamed Babaei with electric guitar, members of "Accolade," practice in a basement in Tehran, Feb. 1, 2013.

Violinist Nastaran Ghaffari practices with "Accolade" in Tehran, Feb. 1, 2013.

Iranian musician Danial Izadi performs with his harmonica in an unauthorized stage performance for his band called "Accolade" in Tehran, Jan. 25, 2013.

Nastaran Ghaffari, from left, Kamyar Shahdoust, Farbod Shirmohammad, Danial Izadi and Hamed Babaei, all members of "Accolade," practice at the house of one of the members in Tehran, Feb. 4, 2013.

Iranian vocalist Azadeh Ettehad, a member of "Accolade," sings a song in an unauthorized stage performance in Tehran, Jan. 25, 2013.

Iranian guitarist Hamed Babaei practices in a basement in Tehran, Feb. 1, 2013.

Iranian violinist Nastaran Ghaffari practices in a basement in Tehran, Feb. 1, 2013.