Shows
Armenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1S9 Music in a Time of War: Armenia VibesS1S9 Music in a Time of War: Armenia Vibes
Born out of the COVID crisis of 2020, a team of Armenian professionals created a cultural media platform called Armenia Vibes to showcase creative talent in Armenia. When a war broke out that saw many of their compatriots go to the front line, they quickly pivoted by leveraging their platform to raise money towards relieve efforts currently being undertaken in Artsakh and Armenia.
In this episode meet some of the Armenia Vibes team members, including The Bambir lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Narek Barseghyan, graphic designer...2020-11-0900 minArmenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1E8 Sylvia Alajaji: Of Memory, Music, and the Armenian DiasporaS1E8 Sylvia Alajaji: Of Memory, Music, and the Armenian Diaspora
Ethnomusicologist and author Dr. Alajaji joins the podcast to discuss the connection between memory and music as it relates to maintaining ethnic identity. Alajaji recounts her own personal experiences being raised as an Armenian in Tulsa, Oklahoma while listening to mix tapes, Adiss Harmandian, and Harout Pamboukjian. She also touches on the “estradayin”, Ottoman influenced “kef”, and pop genres of music produced and consumed within Diasporan Armenian communities.
Guest Biography
Sylvia Angelique Alajaji is an Associate Professor of Music at Franklin & Mar...2020-10-1000 minArmenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1E7 John Hodian: Meditations on Naghash and New Classical MusicS1E7 John Hodian: Meditations on Naghash and New Classical Music. Composer and musician John Hodian joins the podcast to discuss his career, newest recording, The Naghash Ensemble Live Volume 1 and Armenian Medieval mystical poet & priest Mkrtich Naghash.
Featured Music
John Hodian and Bet Williams (The Epiphany Project)- "Ararat {Arto's Song}" (Hin Dagh, 2008, Epiphany Records)
The Naghash Ensemble- "Meditations on Greed and Poverty" (The Naghash Ensemble Live, Volume 1, Epiphany Records, 2020)
John Hodian Biography
John Hodian is a composer, conductor, and pianist who has worked in a wide variety of idioms—from classical to jazz, rock to rap, and traditional to...2020-09-0154 minArmenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1E6 Andre Simonian: Full CircleS1E6 Andre Simonian: Full Circle
Andre Simonian is an artist, musician, and producer based in both London and Yerevan. Since 2006, he has fronted the English language rock band The Beautified Project, which has become one of the most popular bands in Armenia. In addition to his work with The Beautified Project, Andre has done high profile collaborations with the likes of Nemra, Sevak Amroyan, Adana Project, Sibil, Melody for Harmony, Sona Rubenyan, Mick Moss as well as others. Deeply committed to his homeland, Andre has had a major impact on the development of new artists- in...2020-08-0948 minArmenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1E5 Ian Nagoski: Resurrecting Ghosts, Part 2S1E5 Ian Nagoski: Resurrecting Ghosts, Part 2
Ian Nagoski is a researcher and record producer from the Baltimore, MD area who specializes in music of the early 20th century in languages other than English. In the finale of a two part episode, Nagoski describes the detective work involved in piecing together a narrative for each recording he comes across. Artist/recording highlights including Edward Bogosian ("Soode Soode") , the curious case of Dr J.K. Sutherland, and the majestic beauty of the recording "Groung" by Zabelle Panossian.
This two part episode focuses on the beginning...2020-07-121h 00Armenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1E4 Ian Nagoski: Resurrecting Ghosts, Part 1S1E4 Ian Nagoski: Resurrecting Ghosts, Part 1
Ian Nagoski is a researcher and record producer from the Baltimore, MD area who specializes in music of the early 20th century in languages other than English. In the first of a two part episode, Nagoski takes us from the beginnings of the recording industry in America (late 1800's) into the 78rpm record era (early 1900's) focusing on the recordings of Armenian immigrants from the Ottoman Empire sung in both Turkish and Armenian. Ian's ability to bring recordings to life by giving us detailed backstories on the artist, the song...2020-07-0552 minArmenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1E3 Ara Dinkjian: An Armenian In America, Part 3S1E3 Ara Dinkjian, Part 3- An Armenian In America
The conclusion of my conversation with composer/musician Ara Dinkjian. In this third and final part, Ara discusses his multiple performances in Jerusalem, his unique relationship with Turkey, and a brief but poignant account of his performance in Armenia in the 1990's. Ara also keeps us up to date on his newest project, The Secret Trio.
Night Ark- "Fly Away" (Emarcy, 1999)
Ara Dinkjian Quartet- "In Wolf's Clothing" (Krikor Music, 2013)
All music featured on this program is done with permission from...2020-06-1451 minArmenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1E2 Ara Dinkjian: An Armenian in America, Part 2S1E2- Ara Dinkjian: An Armenian In American, Part 2.
Considered one of the foremost proponents of the oud, composer/musician Ara Dinkjian shares the events leading up to, and including, the Night Ark years in the 1980's. Additionally, Ara describes his meteoric rise in Greece during the 1990's with his collaboration with Eleftheria Arvanitaki, whose rendition of "Homecoming" called, "Dinata" becomes an international hit.
Featured Songs
Night Ark- "Going with Abandon" (Emarcy 1997)
Ara Dinkjian w/The Secret Trio & The New York Gypsy All Stars- "Common Spirit" (Krikor...2020-06-0756 minArmenian Music Podcast with Raffi MeneshianS1E1- Ara Dinkjian: An Armenian In America, Part 1S1E1- Ara Dinkjian: An Armenian In American, Part 1
The Armenian Music Podcast with Raffi Meneshian debuts with the first of a special three part interview with renown composer and musician Ara Dinkjian. Considered one of the foremost proponents of the oud, Dinkjian shares his experience growing up the son of a famous singer in Onnik DInkjian, his record collection, and how his album "Conversations with Manol" came to be.
Featured Songs:
Night Ark- "Homecoming" (RCA Novus, 1986)
Ara Dinkjian w/The Secret Trio & The New York Gypsy All Stars- "Pilaf" (Krikor Music, 2020)
All Songs Published by Krikor Music2020-06-0157 min