Armenian folk songs
interview
Garik & Sona: Clinking their way through Armenian folk music dreams
Newly available on YouTube are ten songs from “Zngl,” the debut album Garik & Sona were shy to release until the summer of 2021. Finally, catchy hooks and dynamic melodies add up to an album full of Armo-folk songs you won’t mind getting stuck in your head. What makes Garik & Sona stand out from other similar bands? More importantly, what is their impact on Armenian folk music? H-pem has had the chance to sit down and interview Garik Papoyan and Sona Rubenyan after a sold-out concert. Check out our exclusive interview below!
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'Martiki yerg': Holding the motherland in our hearts
The Nairyan Vocal Ensemble actively participated in releasing patriotic songs and keeping up the morale of the nation during the 44 day Artsakh war in autumn. As we honor the troops of Armed Forces in Armenia and Artsakh on Army Day, we dedicate the ensemble’s a cappella rendition of “Martiki yerg” (“Մարտիկի երգ” | “Soldier’s Song”) to those who fought bravely to defend our motherland.
interview
Zulal: The floating triangle
From performances at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the MET’s upcoming exhibition on Armenia, to concerts in churches, museums, and universities, it seems as though the Zulal a cappella trio is really after only one thing: to immortalize the essence of Armenian folk songs. But they are not mere archivists or preservationists. On the contrary, their joy in breathing new life into ancient tunes and narratives, the sweet nuances of their voices, the graceful choreography of their movements, all come together to reveal a cornucopia of songs that defy age and language. They feed the soul with intricate rhythms celebrating love and our relationship with nature, evoking an appreciation for the beauty of a simpler and slower life. How do they do this? My in-depth interview with the trio, conducted on the morning of their last concert in Beirut, reveals the secrets behind their meticulously refined performances and the wealth of their shared perspectives.
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