Worst Armenian CD (Back) Cover Nominee #6
I ran into this one while reading another blog. The person who posted it left a link to a website where I found the artist, Noem Movsesyan and this incredulous Ralph Maccio/Karate Kid style back tray cover. I cannot take credit for finding this piece of work (Katy Pierce wins that prize). But, I like to share, and here are the spoils. The album is called "Strange Eyes". The artist is Noem Movsesyan. His website is www.noem.am Thanks again, Katy Pierce. You can't stop the bad Armenian CD cover cop. This guy has been arrested.
When you go to Noem's website, you will see an interesting phenominon. The internet and marketing company, www.abide.am has actually done a great job in giving artists an internet website presence. There are a bunch of Hayastansi artists there to choose from. There are bios, internet chat times with some artists, prize giveaways. It seems to be following the Russian and American model of marketing. Cheap, overkill, and somewhat effective. You be the judge.
On a more grounded note, I have a meeting this Friday with a couple of very established local Armenian-Americans who have started a non-profit company aimed at developing Armenian musical and artistic talent from the ground up in Hayastan. The idea is to train them there by giving them funding and then when they are ready to hit the international stage, support them from that point on. Instead of letting talent get wasted, supervise their growth through funding and expert teaching. Then, set up concerts and exibitions here in the States and in Europe. It's an idea for now, but, I look forward to hearing how it can work. I may be playing a small or large role in the organization in the future. That's what the meeting is partly about on Friday. I have been looking to shift into a non-profit/NGO mode with Armenia in mind. Let's see how it goes.
posted by Raffi at 9:01 AM
20 Comments:
I met No-Em once while he was working at Ardzakanq radio. Was glad to see a local Armenian making dance music, but I agree, the artwork does need a lot of help. Most Armenians haven't understood how important artwork, image/styling, photography, etc. is. :-(
Der Hova,
I totally agree with you. As an established artist yourself, you know how important the aesthetics of a product are. I hope the people you work with listen to your advice and do things the right way, based on your experience. I thought this one was amusing.
Also, I sincerely wish you the best on your projects in Armenia and hope we can hear your work in the future. I picked up Arthur Ispirian's album you worked on Art and iSpace and very much enjoyed it. Very creative and different.
-Meneshian
Hi Raff, thanks for the message. Marketing is so important, but the local artists here either do not understand that, or believe that they need major financial backing.
An example of a smart move, which didn’t really require big money, was a song Tata recorded and released this spring about the end of the school year. Every school in Armenia was playing that song before the summer break. Brilliant!
But there are so many things a musical artist needs to take into consideration to have a successful career.
An artist releasing a hit song and not being careful with a follow-up single can really spoil his/her career. Then of course comes all the other things I mentioned (image, styling, and so on.) Most of these things do require money, but at the same time, you can get away with doing everything with a low budget, yet creatively to catch the attention of the audience. Remember Alanis Morissette with her brilliant low budget videos?
Anyway, I'm sure you already know all of this considering you work in this field in the US and know the competition.
As far as Ispirs album goes, I didn't really have input on what was composed, produced or recorded, I just mastered the album (another process locals here unfortunately don't think about.) Maybe I should open up a mastering facility, charging peanuts just for the sake of having better sounding Armenian albums out there.
I think have a cover that beats that one!
I've lost it!! I will find it though!! will search high and low later:)
Harmick (or anyone else),
Let's see it, my friend. Send it to raffi@pomegranatemusic.com. I am dying to see some Stansi covers. We have 4 more slots open. Although, you know Mr. X is one of them... (Sorry Hagop B.!)
-Meneshian
Any Harout CD could qualify. Let's be real. Just having his photo on a CD cover makes it qualify. Can I submit things other than CD covers... like PR materials for musicians?
I am sorry my fine Pomegranate colleague. You can submit only CD covers or back trays. Plus, you will just have to be patient to see if Harout Pamboukjian makes the cut.
By the way, you are more than welcome to submit any CD covers to me at raffi@pomegranatemusic.com
-Meneshian
Too bad it's only CD covers you're willing to accept. I have a horrid Harout record album cover from the 70's which features our beloved in a tight, shiny, silver, onepiece, jumpsuit (with exposed chest hair), and a 70's afro hairdo. He's sitting on a stool in a studio with porn on the floor that they couldn't be bothered to p/u before they took the picture!
Meneshian, your unyielding anti-Mr. X behavior is a call for cilici-blog provocation. I officially protest. :)~
Wait a minute Lori, that counts and I want it. I discounted LP's because I figured no one had them anymore. Please scan and send a copy of the Harout album to raffi@pomegranatemusic.com I cannot wait to see this...
Hagop Jan, either we see you in a picture with Robert Chilingirian hair back in the day or Mr. X goes up next!
You got it Captain! I'll get that out to you within the next couple days!
Maybe the porn was there to give him a badboy image..
Some top-notch marketing skills there, if you ask me.
Speaking of the importance of a CD cover art, I remembered the South Park episode when Cartman came up with his Christian rock album cover.
That's how one makes '10 miilion dollars'!
Hi Raffi and all...
Hmm, I saw ur comments... at first as i know its not a cover of CD!!!! Here in Yerevan and Armenia he's needed singer with fresh style. We have a lot of artists but only units of them introducing originall style.
Its easy to gossip in front of keyboard, but noone tries to be an objective... Pity!
Anonymous? Who are you?
And, like I have said over and over again, I am not judging his style, music, or anything other than the picture.
And, how "needed" is he.
I won't answer any more questions unless you state your name. Very easy to sit in front of a keyboard and not mention your name, or use a spellcheck for that matter.
No offence to Arsineh but I think she needs spellcheck more than the anonymous Hayastantsi guy here. Check her Aug 17 log. Sorry Ars. I guess you were in a hurry.
Hi Vahram,
How do we know anonymous is a Hayastansi or a guy for that matter? He/she can be a Diasporan or a non-Armenian. In any case, from listening to the artist's music online at the website, there is actually nothing unique about it. It's club/dance music retread from about 10 years ago. If I have nothing else to do when I'm in Yerevan next month, I'll give the CD a listen.
Lsi Raff, yes Hayastanic em, chisht es gushakel, ches karcum vor es ankap durs talud hamar et mard@ karox e dzez dati tal??? Txura, vor heru texum nstac karciqner eq haitnum, u mi moraceq vor mardu heghinakutyan het khaghalu hamar iroq dat e hasnum, cheq karcum vor mi or es informacian khasni nran yev nra produserin?, Koxqnerig anchashakutjunner@ cheq tesnum? aravel yevs vor sxal informacia eq texadrel u mexadrum eq mardun:) da cd cover chi! yev @ndhanrapes, porceq mi qich zusp exeq:)
Harganqnerov Aram.
ravend@operamail.com
yes email g'nem kezee yev yefor yerevan'in mech net, guh handibenk.
Aram jan
Before you start arguing with people, first try to understand what they are actually saying.
If your English is not good enough for that, ask them to say it in Armenian.
Another Hayastanci guy
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