All in Artist Interview

Marina Hovhannisyan Releases A Living Story, Continues to Preserve, Perform, and Promote the Sanctity of Armenian Folk Music

Marina Hovhannisyan Releases A Living Story, Continues to Preserve, Perform, and Promote the Sanctity of Armenian Folk Music

Pauline Pechakjian
Artist Interview, Album Review, New Music

Moonrise Magazine spoke to one of our favorite artists, Marina Hovhannisyan, on her recently released EP, entitled A Living Story, which features five Armenian folk songs, including Sayat-Nova’s <<Յիս Մե Ղարիբ Բուլբուլի Պես>> (“Foreign Nightingale”) and Komitas’ <<Ալագյազ Աչերդ>> (“Your Prominent Eyes”). Building on the artist’s previous work, A Living Story feels more refined, reflecting the songstress’ growing contributions to the study and conservation of Armenian folk music. The EP presents traditional folk compilations in a new and unique light, perhaps with a stronger commitment to their historical elements, culminating in an elevated, almost restorative, listening experience.

Nara’s Room, the Latest Project from Singer-Songwriter Nara Avakian, Discusses the Release of Pigeons

Nara’s Room, the Latest Project from Singer-Songwriter Nara Avakian, Discusses the Release of Pigeons

Pauline Pechakjian
Artist Interview, Favorite Artist Feature, New Music

Back in early 2020, we had the pleasure of speaking to Nara Avakian about their creative process as an instrumentalist, their journey as a musician, and all of the potential ideas in store for the future. One of those ideas came to fruition with the recent release of Pigeons, an LP embodying Nara’s first time singing along to their carefully-mastered instrumentals! The album, while serving as a genuine continuation of the musician’s prior body of work, also offers a wholly new sound, providing for a refreshing dynamic of consistency and innovation. Read on to learn more about how Nara’s Room created Pigeons and the process of transitioning from an instrumentalist to a singer-songwriter.

Satellite Citi Releases New Song Following Artsakh War, Discusses Development of Music, Performances, and Video Artistry

Satellite Citi Releases New Song Following Artsakh War, Discusses Development of Music, Performances, and Video Artistry

Pauline Pechakjian
Artist Interview, Favorite Artist Feature

Meet Satellite Citi, the husband-and-wife rock duo consisting of Anna Gevorkian and Shaunt Sulahian that produces incredibly artistic, concept-driven albums and performances with hints of sci-fi and fantasy peppered throughout their work. We had the chance to speak with Shaunt and Anna about their musical journey thus far, as well as their new single dedicated to the Armenian victims of the recent war in Artsakh between the autonomous region and Azerbaijan. Read on to get all the deets on this incredible musical project!

Marina Hovhannisyan of MarinaHov Band Discusses Folk Music for Diverse Audiences

Marina Hovhannisyan of MarinaHov Band Discusses Folk Music for Diverse Audiences

Pauline Pechakjian
Artist Interview, Artists to Watch

The MarinaHov Band is unique in its creation of a powerful new sound accomplished by combining Armenian folk music and contemporary Western instrumentals with elements drawn from jazz, classical, and Middle Eastern sounds. After being pleasantly surprised by the band’s innovative take on Armenian folk music at their July 25th show at The Mint (shourj par at a rock club in L.A., anyone?), I was lucky enough to sit down with the lead singer and founding member of the group, Marina Hovhannisyan, to discuss their unique role in creating, evolving, and engaging with ancient melodies and sounds. Read on for Marina’s own perspective on her role in creating this especially crafty interpretation of centuries-old folk, prepared and performed for the present day!

Load More