Rostam

What Rostam does

Rostam (legal entity: Matsor Projects) is a solo music artist operation fronted by Rostam Batmanglij, a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter and record producer. He was a founding member of Vampire Weekend from 2006 until 2016, contributing to its debut and subsequent releases, and has since released solo material beginning with the single 'Wood' (2011) and the debut solo album 'Half-Light' via Nonesuch Records on 2017-09-15 (15 tracks, 52 minutes). His second solo album, 'American Stories', was released in 2026 alongside signed Coriander vinyl LP, signed CD and signed cassette editions sold through the direct-to-fan storefront at officialrostam.store.

The catalog is recorded using Pro Tools (for vocal recording and comping via the playlist system) and Ableton (for beat production and side-chaining), with an M-Box audio interface and condenser microphone chain described in the artist's own home-studio recommendations. Distribution is dual-channel: digital via Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and iTunes (standard streaming and download), and physical via the self-operated Matsor Projects storefront handling signed vinyl, CD and cassette SKUs. Touring is a primary revenue and engagement motion, anchored by the American Stories Tour 2026 across North America and European cities including Paris, Stockholm, Berlin and London, with artist pre-sale codes distributed through the official website and email newsletter.

Revenue is generated across three streams: streaming royalties and digital music sales (one-time license), physical merchandise (signed vinyl, CD, cassette, plus a limited Campus 7-inch with 51% of proceeds pledged to charity partners), and live performance ticket revenue across NA and EU dates. A secondary revenue line exists in production and songwriting services for other artists, with past credits including HAIM (Something to Tell You), Solange (A Seat at the Table), Francis and the Lights (Farewell, Starlite!), Hamilton Leithauser (I Had A Dream That You Were Mine, 2016) and Jim-E Stack / Charli XCX. The customer base is horizontally segmented: a primary segment of music fans consuming releases and attending concerts, and a secondary segment of recording artists seeking co-writing and production collaborations. Marketing runs through officialrostam.com, an official Tumblr blog, Facebook, Instagram (@matsor), Twitter/X (@matsoR), YouTube and an email newsletter.

Name

Rostam

Legal name

Matsor Projects

Website

https://officialrostam.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Rostam (Matsor Projects) is a solo music artist and record-producer operation fronted by Rostam Batmanglij, releasing indie/alternative albums and merchandise direct-to-fan and providing production and songwriting services to other recording artists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Music Recording & Performance

NAICS

Record Production and Distribution (51225), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (71151)

akta.pro primary industry

Record Labels (Major & Independent) (MPAIAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mechanical Rights Collection & Licensing (MROs/CMOs) (MPAIAKAB)

Keywords

• Indie music production
• Solo music releases
• Live concert touring
• Signed vinyl merchandise
• Record production services

Headquarters

HQ city

Encino

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Digital Music Sales and Streaming: Music released on digital platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and iTunes. Revenue from streaming royalties and digital downloads.
2. Physical Merchandise: Sale of signed vinyl LPs, CDs, and cassettes through official store. American Stories available as signed Coriander LP, signed CD, and signed cassette.
3. Live Performance Revenue: Touring revenue from North American and European concerts. Artist pre-sale tickets, general admission, and premium show experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Rostam (legal entity: Matsor Projects) is the professional solo music brand of Rostam Batmanglij, functioning as a record producer, songwriter, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist. The company creates and releases original solo music albums and EPs, performs live concerts and tours across North America and Europe, sells signed physical music merchandise (vinyl LPs, CDs, cassettes) through its direct-to-fan official store, and offers record production and songwriting services to other recording artists. The current flagship release is the album American Stories, with the American Stories Tour 2026 underway.

Product overview

Rostam (Rostam Batmanglij) is a record producer, songwriter, and solo artist formerly of Vampire Weekend. The primary offerings include solo albums (American Stories, Half-Light), collaborative projects (Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam), and merchandise (signed vinyl, CD, cassette formats). The artist also provides production services for other musicians. The American Stories album serves as the current flagship release, with merchandise available through the official store. Physical formats include vinyl, CD, and cassette with signed editions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Matsor Projects: The artist's personal record label/imprint, used for releases and merchandise

Products and services

• American Stories Studio album released in 2026 featuring songs like 'Like a Spark' and 'Back of a Truck' (with Hardy and Clairo). Available on vinyl, CD, and cassette in signed formats through the official store and via streaming platforms. Targeted at Rostam's existing fanbase and indie music listeners.
• American Stories Signed Merchandise (Coriander LP, CD, Cassette) Official signed physical music merchandise including the Coriander LP vinyl, compact disc, and cassette formats of the American Stories album. Sold through the official store (officialrostam.store) directly to fans.
• Half-Light Debut solo studio album released September 15, 2017 via Nonesuch Records. Contains 15 songs and runs 52 minutes, featuring tracks such as Bike Dream, Gwan, EOS, and Wood. Available on streaming platforms and in physical formats.
• Half-Light Remixes: EP1 Remix EP of the Half-Light album featuring remixes by Tourist, Jim-E Stack, Instupendo, and Matsor Projects. Released in 2018.
• Campus (Original Version) Limited edition heavyweight 7-inch vinyl release of Rostam's original 2006 recording of the song 'Campus', created while he was a student at Columbia University. 51% of proceeds are donated to charitable non-profit organizations.
• Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam Collaboration Collaborative album with Hamilton Leithauser (formerly of The Walkmen). 'I Had A Dream That You Were Mine' was released in 2016 featuring tracks including 'A 1000 Times', 'Peaceful Morning', and 'In a Black Out'.
• Production Services Record production, songwriting, co-writing, and vocal collaboration services offered to other recording artists. Notable engagements include HAIM ('Something to Tell You' album - Kept Me Crying, Walking Away), Solange ('A Seat at the Table' - F.U.B.U.), Francis and the Lights ('My City's Gone' from 'Farewell, Starlite!'), Jim-E Stack ('Deadstream' featuring Charli XCX), and Kelly Zutrau (featured on 'Half-Light').

Quantifiable outcome

• Wood song received 1,409 notes on SoundCloud upon initial release
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nonesuch RecordscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 September 2017Record label for Half-Light album release. Nonesuch Records distributed Rostam's debut solo album 'Half-Light' (15 songs, 52 minutes) on September 15, 2017. Label also liked/engaged with Rostam's Tumblr content.
• Hamilton LeithausercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint album 'I Had A Dream That You Were Mine' released 2016. Rostam co-wrote and produced two songs for Leithauser's solo album. Collaborated on songs including 'Peaceful Morning', 'A 1000 Times', 'In a Black Out'. Joint touring including Half-Light Tour and European dates.
• Ariel RechtshaidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecording collaboration where Ariel Rechtshaid recorded lead vocal on 'Wood' in spring 2011 at his LA studio. Both producers connected through mutual friend Mickey.
• HAIMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction collaboration on 'Something to Tell You' album. Rostam contributed to songs including 'Kept Me Crying' and 'Walking Away'.
• SolangeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction assistance on 'A Seat at the Table' album. Contributed to song 'F.U.B.U.'
• Francis and the LightsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLyric collaboration on 'My City's Gone' from 'Farewell, Starlite!' album.
• Jim-E StackminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on 'Deadstream (Rostam Version)' featuring Charli XCX. Jim-E Stack reached out about remixing Rostam's song 'Warning Intruders'.
• Kelly ZutrauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured vocalist on 'Half-Light' title track from Rostam's Half-Light album.
• Josh GolemanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-directed 'A 1000 Times' music video with Rostam for Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam collaboration.
• Kid CudiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Rostam Batmanglij. Referenced in NS-10 blog post from 2010.
• Matt PopieluchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorrowed 12-string acoustic guitar from Matt Popieluch of Foreign Born for 'Wood' recording session.
• Matsor ProjectscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRostam's own label/company. Merchandise store (officialrostam.store), music links (MatsorProjects.lnk.to), and copyright holder for official Tumblr content (© matsor projects). Half-Light Remixes EP1 includes a Matsor Projects remix.
• Charity Partners (Palestine Legal, CHIRLA, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, Sudanese American Physicians Association)minorOthers51% of proceeds from 'Campus (Original Version)' master recording donated to these non-profit organizations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sufjan Stevens: Long-tenured independent singer-songwriter/producer releasing on Asthmatic Kitty with similar D2C vinyl/merch patterns and a touring model driven by album cycles.
• Phoebe Bridgers: Independent singer-songwriter operating her own label imprint with strong D2C vinyl and tour-driven GTM, and a fan base that materially overlaps with Rostam's indie audience.
• Big Thief: Indie band with a strong producer-driven sound (Adrianne Lenker) that draws from the same creative community as Rostam and competes for the same indie touring audience.
• Francis and the Lights: Francis Farewell Starlite has collaborated directly with Rostam (My City's Gone) and operates as an independent artist with a similar producer-led, electronic-leaning indie profile.
• HAIM: Band that Rostam produced for on Something to Tell You; competes in a similar indie-pop touring and merchandise segment with comparable fan demographics.
• Vampire Weekend: Rostam was a founding member and multi-instrumentalist of Vampire Weekend until 2016. The band shares his indie-pop/rock DNA, the same fan overlap, and represents the closest artistic lineage for any Rostam solo release.
• Bon Iver: Justin Vernon's indie project combines production, songwriting, and self-directed label operations (PEOPLE/Chigliak) — a structural parallel to Matsor Projects and a comparable artist-as-creator business.
• Hamilton Leithauser: Former Walkmen frontman who co-recorded I Had A Dream That You Were Mine with Rostam. Operates as an indie solo artist with the same D2C + label distribution model and comparable live-touring footprint.
• Father John Misty: Singer-songwriter with an established indie label history and a touring-and-vinyl-led revenue model that closely mirrors Rostam's GTM.
• Japanese Breakfast: Michelle Zauner's indie project runs parallel D2C merch, vinyl, and tour operations with a comparable indie-rock audience and producer-led creative model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/matsor
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6jwujA1foUFmrT6vEGIR7A
• Facebookfacebook.com/rostam
• Instagraminstagram.com/matsor

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rostam