The Enemy's Angle

I get criticized a lot for being so antagonistic towards Turkey. Sometimes we need a reminder for the causes we push. Here's mine...

"[Turkish National Security Council (MGK) Secretary General Yigit] Alpogan said that he warned American officials about the dire consequences of resolutions on the so-called Armenian genocide now waiting at the U.S. Congress. 'The adoption of any resolution on the so-called Armenian genocide would have a devastating impact on Turkish-U.S. relations,' added Alpogan."

This is why I fight.

Full article... http://groong.usc.edu/news/msg136099.html

Production

As Pomegranate enters into our 8th and 9th album release in the coming months, I thought I would share some of the more nitty gritty details on how an album evolves from the point of when I get the sound master. While on the road in New Mexico, I received an email from classical guitarist Iakovos Kolanian in Athens, Greece that he was finished with the first draft of his new CD- Guitar Masterworks of Agustin Barrios. He stated that he had shipped two copies to our producer, Kevork Imirzian in Boston. As I mentioned before, Kev and I had taken a working trip to New Mexico in order to discuss the new release at length. After he left, I stayed on in New Mexico for another week and a half to do some personal projects. On Sunday night, Kev stated that he had the master CD-R of Iakovos's album and that I should come over and hear it. At this point, I want to mention that this is one of my favorite moments in the life cycle of an album on my record label. It's the point in time when you hear the music for the first time, before all of the window dressing such as the design, marketing, etc. All of that stuff is to sell the album. When you hear the music for the first time, that is the whole point of the project, creation of art by some very talented people.

The leap of faith comes with the first album by an artist in your professional relationship. I have been fortunate to have artists like Gor Mkhiktarian, Hover Chamber Choir of Armenia, and Iakovos return to my label. Their first album always seems to be where I hold my breath because it product is unknown. After the first, you trust whatever they may bring for the second helping. That was not really the case with Iakovos since he has been a proven recording artist Europe. With the Barrios guitar CD, he nailed every song right on the head. Of course, I say this from a non-professional guitar ear, but, it has everything a label owner would want from an effort. Emotion, nuances, technical brilliance, and most of all, lyricism where the composer begs for it. Or course, the producer of the album, Kevork was very happy with the result and that is where it matters most. The producer drives the bus in this process. So, my wife Natacha and I, along with Kev and his wife listened to the new Iakovos album for about 15 minutes and we all approved. So, on to the next step.

The next step in the process is to have the producer give feedback to the artist on his take. Thus, Iakovos will re-record some parts and re-arrange some fo the track sequencing to fit the producers direction. We are lucky that Iakovos has an in-home studio to do all of his recording. Obviously, for an independent label, this is a huge money saver, and for the artist, he can record at his whim in the comforts of his own home. The constraints of walking into paid session time and being asked to perform spot-on for a lifetime document can be overwhelming. While the re-recording takes place, I listen to the album a minimum of about 50 times to get a feel of how to market, brand, and name the album. In this case, I have asked Kev to name the album with me branding the tag line. In this case, it will be "Guitar Masterworks of Agustin Barrios".

Simultaniously, we start thinking of album cover ideas and the issue of what is going to be in the booklet. In this case, Kev will once again write the liner notes (something I usually do) given his intimate knowledge of the classical guitar reperoire and his strong journalistic background (Masters Degree in Journalism). It's a potent combination, along with his expert camera ready eye and fluenct in Spanish (which makes the Paraguayan origin of Barrios more accessable because of the research invloving Kev reading Spanish). This is where I stop and say that surrounding yourself with high quality people makes or breaks a project. After the liner notes, photos, and everything else are ready, we send off the "materials" to our designer, Arsineh Khachikian. You all probably know that Arsineh is my most trusted professional contact, and good friend. She has expertly designed every single Pomegranate album, in addition to creating our logo.

The next area is funding. I'll go into that next time. This is where the Armenian Diaspora plays a big role.

More later.

All good things...

As the tail-end of my New Mexico trip approaches, a couple things become very clear. The first is that being alone in hotel rooms isn't my cup of tea for any extended period of time. Also, the prospect of meeting an Armenian community was just not going to happen. The latter was my fault in the sense that I wasn't relentless in pursuing the small, but, growing community. On old Route 66 on what is now Central Ave near University of New Mexico, there is the obligatory Armenian rug merchant called Knadjian Rugs. Also, while in a used bookshop in Nob Hill, a bookseller tells me about a "colony of Armenians" that owned a swath of land in Albuquerque going back to the end of World War 2. He threw out some Armenian names but couldn't give me any more details. Oddly enough, on the second day of my New Mexico trip while at the Hyatt downtown, my friend Kev and I ran into a Hayastansi Armenian working the concierge desk. She was in her late 20's, a graduate of the Sorbonne in France, and married to an Armenian American/Italian who taught at one of the Universities in New Mexico. When I asked her what she thought of New Mexico, she answered both me and Kev in a rather funny was stating "Well, from Paris to Albuquerque, it's a bit of a difference". However, she went on to say what I have been hearing from a few others that there was a small, but growing communinty of about 150 Armenians in ALBQ.

Growing a little weary of the hotel scene, I decided to ring up Paul and Susan over at the Old Church Road Bed and Breakfast and let them know I was going to spend my last day at their place. At $100 for the night and going solo, I figured this would be a fitting end to my New Mexico trip. I arranged to meet them at their place at 5pm where they promptly told me that they were going to take me out to dinner at a Corrales, NM hot spot called Indigo Crow. Paul used to work for JP Morgan and made tons of money in his 20's and 30's. Now in his mid 40's, he and his wife purchased a two acre lot with a 5000 sq. ft. home and converted much of it into a bed and breakfast. www.oldchurchroadbandb.com for more info on their place. Highly recommended. Dinner was fantastic with a chile stew cooked up and some local New Mexico wine. After dinner, I retired for the evening and reflected on the New Mexico adventure 2006. New Mexico pretty much had me in her grasp and if Natacha was there with me, I would never have left. Growing up in Chicago and Boston, winters are just not my thing anymore and I/we need a change of pace in life now.

Back in Boston, the YerazArt project continues to be an option for me. I have been going back and forth for about 6 months with the founders/sponsors of the organization on whether to accept the Executive Director job. Taking it would mean a serious committment to promote and develop young Armenian musicians between the ages of 8-18 by giving them a global stage to work from. My decision comes this week and I am still on the fence with it. There is a clear line between Armenian volunteerism and doing a professional job for pay within an Armenian circle. My experience has been that if a client pays for a job, they get a firm focus and better end result. A volunteer effort becomes a hit or miss proposition. Having volunteered for many Armenian things in the past, I am getting to the point where if someone wants/needs a job done right, I have no problem charging them as I would any non-Armenian client. That way expectations are raised on all ends. This is why I salute those Armenian volunteers who do great work in our community for no pay. Sometimes volunteers can be taken advantage of, but, they keep their principals and goals clear and just work toward it. I no longer can be so generous with my time anymore. I just have to be honest. My own personal opinion is that Armenian projects should have a clear business approach in order to complete the objectives put forth. Many times Armenians in the Diaspora feel if you "charge money" for Armenian things, it is shameful. I totally disagree. If there are Armenians who do a job right, they ought to be kept in business to do more good work. Any good Armenian venture has a solid business model, and that is a fact.

Kevork Imirzian gave me a call yesterday and informed me that Iakovos Kolanian's new Agustin Barrios CD is now ready and we are going to start production. As Pomegranate tries a new model of presenting non-Armenian music done by an Armenian artist, the gamble is on. Can we make it in the mainstream classical world by not relying on the Armenian hook. I don't know, but, we sure are not going to settle for failure. Stepan Partamian left me a message stating that his duduk BADARAK CD was now finished and he has a promo copy for me.

Back to Boston, back to the grind, back to being a Diasporan.

Santa Fe and Beyond

I've decided in stay in New Mexico for another week because the creative juices are in overdrive for my book. I've rented a pimped out white Cadillac DTS for about $28 a day (only in New Mexico) and have been driving all over the place. My wife, Natacha, has been patient back home in Boston. I plan on taking a trip back here with her sometime in February to celebrate her birthday and the dreaded commercially overdone Valentine's Day. She hates the day, but, her birthday is the day after, so, I get to package those two days in one and be a good husband. I feel like I've dipped into Hagop B. territory with these spousal name drops, so, I am going to stop before I get sued for copyright infringement!

Anyway, what the hell is the point of this post since I have no real Armenian things to say. Well, wait a minute because I will explain at the end. Unfortunately, no Armenian community of New Mexico meeting to report yet. I hope to change that before I leave. But, on with the story.

So... let's start. The reasons for my coming to New Mexico have been partially explained in my previous post. The other reason I am out here is because I have had some job interviews out here as well. Nothing exciting to report there. I get up very early in the morning and begin writing for about 4 hours. I take a break at around 10am and get in the Caddy and usually drive to Santa Fe or the surrounding areas to explore. It's kind of weird because I am alone here, but, whatever. As the days have passed and the routine of writing, sightseeing, exploring, and writing again has solidified, I've made some over-reaching observations. For one, the Native American presence here is immense and you are surrounded by it. The exploitation of Native American culture is all over the place in the form of jewlery, clothing, crafts, to naming housing complexes and so on. The genocide of American Indians by white settlers is still something that is not talked about much in school. It's kind of glossed over. Can you imagine those movies that portrayed Indians back in the 40's, 50's, and 60's? Ugh. So, what is left in many cases are "ruins" that are explored by tourists.

On a recent drive back from Santa Fe to Albuquerque as the sun was starting to set, I thought about how Armenians from Eastern Turkey/Western Armenia had been systematically erased. The last remnants of a great culture in that area almost completely wiped out. Churches such as Ani, etc are all that is left in that area. I am sort of rambling now, but the point I am trying to get across is that I am so glad to be alive and part of a larger Armenian Diaspora that values our history, has a place to go to call home (Armenia), and isn't part of a forgotten people or culture where all that are left are ruins. For those who bash Armenian Diasporans for whatever inane reason, I've just realized the true importance of having a Diaspora. The culture stays alive and we are still in play- with or without a homeland. (Glad to have one). I am not sure why this just dawned on me now while in New Mexico, but, a few trips to American Indian ruins will do that to someone. For those who have been to Armenian ruins in Eastern Turkey/Western Armenia, I would love to hear your opinions here.

Yesterday, I was in Santa Fe at their annual Governor's reception for local businesses and the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Tickets were $20 and open to the public. It was attended by 1000 people. I went and had a great time. There were local restaurants with food samples all set up next to each other in conference style booths. I was given an "Alien Pop" by the Roswell delegation as well as a sticker that said "Bats Rule" from the Carlsbad delegation. For the most part, representative of businesses were there. I did have a chance to speak with Santa Fe's Mayor Larry Delgado for a few minutes over a drink regarding the arts scene in this fascinating city. The guy was so down to earth. I also stood in line and shook the hand of the Govenor Bill Richardson. About 10 seconds there and I said some bullsh*t I can't even remember. State Senators were there and all of the big whigs in New Mexico. All for $20 and a last minute ticket purchase. Not bad.

A few days ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the Village of Corralles, NM where I pitched the idea of having Iakovos Kolanian perform at their music series. The offer was received enthusiastically and he will probably be there in May 2006 at the Old San Ysidro Church. Corralles is a community north of Albuquerque and right next to Rio Rancho (Intel) where their motto is "Drive Slow and See Our Village, Drive Fast and See Our Judge". Corralles has the highest per capita income in all of New Mexico where housing starts at about $500,000 and goes up from there. Each new housing purchase has to be on a minimum of 2 acres. The speed limit there is 25 MPH with it going up to 35MPH on rare streches. The speeding limit is strictly enforced. I found out the hard way going 33MPH in a 25. I was given a warning and told to enjoy the town. "Slow down, young fella- what's the rush?" I was nicely scolded by an officer "Wade". Last Saturday, I was supposed to attend a concert in ALBQ performed by violinist MIDORI, but, the show started at 6pm instead of 8pm as I though it would So, I missed that and tried to attend a classical guitar music concert in Corralles by the young Serbian Petar Jancovic. That was sold out and I was turned away. But, now before pitching the Iakovos idea to the the organizer.

The Armenian angle is that there really isn't a thriving Armenian culture here. Sometimes exploring the American side of our lives can be deeply moving. While I always will always identify myself as an "Armenian", sometimes stepping away from that for a little time can have a healing effect of re-charging the ethnic batteries and giving us a little space to appreciate where we have come from. It also allows me to grow as a person and not be so polarized within our community. Striking that healthy balance between being a citizen of the world and the possessor of an ethnic background is key for me.

Till next time...

AIPRG Photos

It was a grueling process, but the photos are finally up on my website... and now I'm too tired to write about the conference, so I will let the photos speak for themselves for now. Enjoy:

www.digitalrailroad.net/arsineh

You've got to be kidding me...

Photos still not ready, I'll post them this weekend, I promise. Til then, I just saw this on bbc news online. Apparently Turkey's finding another way to stick it to their neighbors, including Armenia. So if you all wonder how the Bird Flu destroyed the human race, you can thank Armenians and fellow neighbors for hiding info about internal Bird Flu cases from Turkey. Read...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4632364.stm

Found in New Mexico

With about three months of rest from the blog scene, I am back and wish everyone a Happy New Year.

I am currently sitting in a hotel room in Albuquerque, NM after having been traveling about the state for the last 5 days. I will be here another week working on various personal projects. My friend Kevork Imirzian (and producer of Iakovos Kolanian- Shoror: Armenian folk music for guitar) joined me from Saturday through Tuesday. After the success of our first Kolanian album, I wanted to have Kev join me for 4 days in New Mexico for us to discuss our next Kolanian project. So, call it a work retreat if you will. We traveled to Santa Fe, Taos, Pilar, Alamagordo (White Sands), and checked out Albuquerque, NM. All the while we focused on our next project loosely titled Iakovos Kolanian- (Haven't figured out the front end of the title: Guitar Music of Agustin Barrios). With Kev not only being a professional grade photographer (www.studioduende.com), he is also quite a writer (Masters in Jounalism) and music afficionado. Specifically, he is a guitar buff. With the new Kolanian Barrios album, Pomegranate steps out into uncharted waters as we explore the world of non-Armenian music (performed by an ethnic Armenian though). My hope is to score big with the Barrios album and reel people in to the Armenian side of our label. It's really the only way to get bigger and generate meaningful revenue to continue with projects. With Kevork being tapped as the producer of the album, we anticipate the Master recording to be in our hands within the next week. It is being sent by Iakovos from Athens as the entire recording was done in his new home studio. In fact, his first album with us (Shoror) was also done in his previous home and many have called the actual quality of the recording one of the best sounding guitar recordings they have ever heard. So, we look forward to the new album in 2006.

So, back to New Mexico, why am I here? Ever since the last time I visited this great state I have been captivated by the scenery and the artistic flair of places like Santa Fe and the surrouding area. Every time a change in my life has taken place (or has about to have taken place), I go to new Mexico to collect and gather my thoughts, recharge my batteries, and prepare for the road ahead. My personal project is that I am writing a book that I intend to have publish in 2007. It will be my first and it's something I've always wanted to do. I felt that New Mexico gives be enough distance from everything familiar to me to start the project I have been looking forward for some time. In general, I will touch on my Armenian Diasporan background, trips to Armenia, the music business, my marriage to a non Armenian, and some anecdotes from my past. Even if no one reads it, it will be nice to put this in writing for myself and any future family members that happen to pop up. (Kids) The other book project I have slated is a guide to how to start a world music label. That will be shopped around once completed. I have picked up a bunch of books including memoirs by Amy Tan and Stephen King's "On Writing". Hopefully, workshops and writing seminars are something I can take part in when I get back to Boston. However, for now, I just want to brainstorm and see what happens. Just to get out what I am trying to say in a very raw form.

So, aside from the writing and formulating a marketing and advertising strategy for our new Kolanian CD, I will do what is the very essense of this blog. I will visit and meet with Armenian Diasporans in New Mexico and hopefully have some pictures to show any church or cultural center. As they say, there are Armenians everywhere.

AIPRG Conference 2006

Coverage with my commentary and photos coming soon... need real sleep first. Here's a photo to ensure the rest is coming.

The way Armenian music was NOT meant to be...(in a good way!)

Hello There,

I'm sure a lot of you have probably heard about this website and have heard the remixes posted, but what the heck... http://www.armenianremix.com/ is a website dedicated to the way Armenian music was NOT meant to be! Local Toronto DJ, DJ Delirious began this website back in November, mashing up all the Armenian favorites with well-known hip-hop beats! Make sure to check it out...Here's the remix list:

-Harout Pamboukjian & Fatman Scoop - Ha Nina (DJ Delirious Hip Hop Mix)

-Harout Pamboukjian - Sassouni Orrore (DJ Delirious House Mix)

-Paul Baghdadlian & Lil Jon - Harsntzou (DJ Delirious Reggaeton Mix)

-Harout Pampoukjian - Asmar Aghchig (DJ Delirious Hip Hop Mix) featuring Notorious BIG, Jay-Z, Elephant Man, Lil Jon & Ludacris!

-Run DMC vs Paul Baghdadlian - Im Siradz Yarin Dareren (DJ Delirious House Mix)

Happy New Commercial Year 2006 – Armenians visiting Buenos Aires

Yesterday I was exchanging e-mails with Raffí M. and he asked me “Where are you?”, so then I realized how important it is for me to share some of the experiences of the Armenian life in Argentina with you all.

2005 was a great year. Let me tell you that for zodiac students the Real New Year starts on 21st March (Zoroastrian Newroz), meanwhile for the pagan Armenians the New Year starts in August, where the Navasartyan Olympic Games used to took place thousands of years before…


December is a busy month in Buenos aires, which is just the opposite of January. In December I finished one session more of my law studies (I hope to finish them on June) and on the other hand, I started a new page working on one of the hobbies I like the most: Music! Since August, I have been working with Gabriel Giogourtzian and Mariela Moumdjian on a new Armenian band. Months later Pablo Kaloustian came to fill the drums and Marcelo Kevorkian added his knowledge with Doudoug and Shví…We decided to call the band LOS ARMENIOS. Bravely we got the courage to present the band performing twice on a well known theatre of Buenos Aires called The Moliere. The acceptance of the crowd was amazing. Is not the Armenian typical band with organ and electric drums, playing covers…Gabriel has done many songs and the sound is really fresh, similar as a pop-rock-progressive style.

Gabriel Giougourtzian (Bass), Pablo Kaloustian (Drums), Mariela Moumdjian (Lead Singer), Marcelo Kevorkian (Shví/Doudoug) and Juan Abadjian (Guitars)

On Christmas Eve, I had the pleasure to receive in Buenos Aires one of my beloved friends from Chicago that I met in the Armenian course in Venice (Italy). David Tamuzian is American-Armenian and Spanish Professor at High School in Chicago. We enjoyed together of Buenos Aires, and also the Armenian places to visit here. Was very comic he made me play tennis after decades!!! It was really useful for my non-stop growing Armenian belly…

David, My Armenian Belly and I at a Tennis playground in Martinez, Buenos Aires

31st December after eighteen hours of work near the oven of the shop, I really SCAPED to Mar del Plata to have a drink of cool Champagne with my brother Kevork. You can’t imagine the activity of the cities of the Atlantic Argentinean Coast on Janury…Like a Temple of Ants!!!

After celebrating another friend came from Montreal, Canada. His name is Henri Arslanian and he is really involved in the Armenian Community there. So this time I took advantage of this situation and we did a non-stop Armenian tour in Buenos Aires in one day, before his departure to southern provinces of the country as Calafate, Bariloche or Villa La Angostura…What’s more, he found out a hidden branch of his family…Scattered souls…

Henri Arslanian at the TADRON CULTURAL CENTER, located in Palermo, Buenos Aires.

Aram H. and Raffí K., I miss you. Kevork does as well.

Viva Argentina y Viva Armenia…

That’s all Folks, Gimme a carrot Bugs!!!

PS: thanks Menesh for your emails!!! They encouraged me a lot!

Moments in our lives

Well, the new year is in full swing. Everyone officially went back to work, all that good stuff. This week I attended a recital at the Armenian Embassy for Armenian Christmas, with various local pianists, etc. I chatted with a couple interesting people. My father officially introduced me to the Ambassador (I can't remember if I had formally met him before) and he seemed to be a truly down to earth and humble man. He told me of the times he visited our home many many years ago when I was a child. I guess he and my father are good friends.

I also met a nice many, Colonel Juskalian. He's an interesting fellow. Apparently when I was 2 years old when my family lived in Vienna, Virginia, my mom was out shopping with us kids, as was he. One of them overheard the other speaking Armenian and they were compelled to say something. He remembered this (26 years later) and shared the story with me. It's amazing the things we remember. I can't remember little details about yesterday, like what the final score was on the Redskins game. But I can remember insignificant things about my childhood. I don't remember that, but it's just interesting to see what sticks in people's minds.

Washington is crazed with (American) Football Playoffs. The Washington Redskins are still in the game after winning against the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. I love it! I love football, I love sports, I love the excitement, and I love talking about it Monday morning... especially when we win. There's a guy in the office who doesn't enjoy it as much, he's a Philly Eagles fan. hahaha.

I have started to appreciate these moments in life that add up to a great life. Every once in a while, I need to realize that this is what life is. Moments make it up and when we allow the good ones to shine, life seems so much better. When we push aside the things that don't matter, we make more room for the good moments. There have been many good moments so far this year, and my new year's resolution is to open my eyes and heart to the many more to come!

Next week is the AIPRG Conference (Armenian International and Policy Research Group) to be held at the World Bank again. I'll be taking photos again and will share them with you all... along with my sum up of the conference.

Canvassing for the Cause

Parev Tzez,

I just got home from canvassing for local Member of Parliament, Jim Peterson. He is just one of the many names which the ANCC (Hai Tad) is supporting in the 2006 Canadian Federal Elections. Although it was pretty much freezing in Toronto today, it felt good supporting a politician who has always respected and valued Armenian-Canadians, and has always defended our stance regarding the Armenian Genocide…
For everyone reading who doesn’t live in Canada or doesn't know about what's happening up here, there is a federal election coming up in late January. Paul Martin, the current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Liberal Party, has faced great dissatisfaction over the past year regarding speculations of corruption and a sponsorship scandal. Although it is too early to tell which party will win, and whether or not we will have the same leader, it is safe to say that this year's elections have so far been the most exciting elections in Canada, up to date.

For a better look at the 2006 Canadian Elections, visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/canadavotes/
http://www.mapleleafweb.com/election/federal/2006/
http://ca.fullcoverage.yahoo.com/fc/Canada/Federal_Election/

Parev-ner Toronto-yen!

Hello All,

My name is Rupen Janbazian and I am from Toronto, Canada. I was born in Toronto in 1988 and am currently in my final year at the A.R.S. Armenian Secondary School. I have been reading the Cilicia "Life in the Armenian Diaspora" blog for a while now, and have always been interested to write on it. I believe that the voice of Toronto Armenians, and all Armenian Canadians alike, should be heard, as we live in a very active and strong community. Armenians have had a big impact on the development of Toronto, by founding many churches, schools, and community centers across the city. I myself am very active in the Toronto Armenian community, taking part in many different organizations. I plan on attending university in the near future in the field of political science and history. Through my education, I plan on making the Armenian voice heard internationally, and hope for justice to be served for the Armenian question. It is an honor to write for this blog! I hope to post interesting material from the Armenian Community here in Toronto, and the surrounding areas... "Mohd adenen guh dessnveenk..."

Happy New Year everyone! I just felt like writing this morning. I am in the process of finding out when I can return to Armenia - I have to wait until my proposal is accepted and then I will know. It might be this year, it might be next - who knows. But, the thing is all those pictures of the snowy days are making me wish I was there right now - they are soooo beautiful, but oh well ( and this is not sarcastic Nathan).

anyway. . . .My on-line novel study project with Grigor Zohrap - school number 43 - is well on its way. I am so excited for the actual discussions with the students to take place. They should start up when the students return to school in February. I can't believe they have such a long break! What I think is so cool about the project is the will to participate by school number 43. The staff there is so amazing and open to new ideas. If anyone has any insight about issues such as teaching democracy in the schools, the process, and reflections of if this type of thought is damaging or useful to schools in Armenia - please let me know!

Oh well, I am off to my Eastern Armenian lesson!