Gor Mkhitarian: An Artist on the Rise

Interview By Aram Hajian

Gor Mkhitarian's long-awaited debut solo album, "Yeraz," was recently released by Pomegranate Music. The compact disc was hailed as one of the most anticipated independent world music releases of the year by several industry insiders. Produced by Raffi Meneshian and recorded in Armenia by Mika Margarian, "Yeraz" is a contemporary Armenian folk masterpiece consisting of 11 songs featuring two acoustic guitars, percussion, and banjo. Mkhitarian penned nine songs on the album while arranging two traditional Armenian folk songs, including "Gakavik" by Komitas. Guest musicians include Aharon Stayman and Jason Demerjian. A review of the compact disc written by Sarine Gregorian was published in the February 2, 2002 issue of the Armenian Weekly.

The following interview was conducted recently in Yerevan, Armenia. Aram Hajian worked as a consultant in injury mechanics in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Boston before moving to Yerevan in October 2000. He is the founder of Armenianknight.com, and he moved to Armenia to work on several e-commerce and chess-related projects.

Aram Hajian: How did you learn to play guitar?

Gor Mkhitarian: I taught myself primarily. I had a guitar when I was fifteen, but didn't take it seriously until age 21.

AH: Are there any friends who got you interested in music?

GM: From 1992-1994, I sang in a church choir in Vanadzor. "Sarer," the first song on the album, was one of the songs we performed. Another choir member and friend of mine, David Arshakian, arranged this song for a rock group we had started together. The idea of a traditional Armenian tune in a contemporary musical setting worked out beautifully. I became excited about developing the idea. David taught me a great deal about melody in and of itself. I must also mention Mehr Manukian--a friend and songwriting partner in our group Lav Eli--who taught me about melody within a harmonic context. Aaron Stayman helped me appreciate that my songwriting style is essentially derived from melody. This solidified my approach to composition.

AH: Name some of your influences both musical and non-musical?

GM: In the non-musical category, I'd place William Saroyan, Mark Twain, and Herman Melville. Among my deepest musical influences there is my mom. I recall her singing folk and spiritual songs to me as a child. In modern Western rock, I really like Dave Matthews. I also love Arto Tunchboyajian. He is a tremendous musician who understands the depth and complexity of Armenian music. He is a brilliant cultural ambassador for Armenian culture.

AH: Armenian music has a fantastically strong and unique tradition. Do you draw from it?

GM: Most definitely. Armenian music in general is sad, but for me it is uplifting to endure the somberness and recognize the beauty within it. There are also many joyful folk songs, spirituals (sharakans), and church music that has influenced my sense of melody. While Armenian music is traditionally sorrowful, now is the time for music that inspires hope and optimism.

AH: Do you think it would be the same for a non-Armenian drawing upon this tradition or do you feel a stronger attachment as an Armenian?

GM: I grew up with this music and it is part of my life. I don't, however, feel compelled to draw upon it other than when the song calls for it. For instance, I don't feel obligated to throw a duduk in the mix just because I am an Armenian musician. I use whatever the music demands.

AH: You live in a country that has gone through tremendous social and political change in the past ten years. Has that influenced your writing? How?

GM: Having experienced hunger and cold around me, I feel I can paint authentic, emotional sketches in my songs. Perhaps living here has heightened my senses to loneliness, happiness, sadness, and pain. While technically, the last ten years have symbolized freedom, more than anything it has meant ambiguity and insecurity for Armenians. This atmosphere of confusion and doubt about the future influences my thinking and therefore my writing.

AH: You have always been involved in playing and writing. Tell me about some of your earlier projects.

GM: In Vanadzor, there has always been a solid performing tradition. My first Vanadzor group, Snack, was formed by a drummer and singer, Ashot Chobanian. We played that version of "Sarer" and many other things as well. We recorded a double album of 17 songs. In 1996, Mehr Manukian and I formed Lav Eli. We continue to play as Lav Eli today. In 1997, I went to Moscow to work for a year. I did some playing there as well with Russian bands. I've recorded two album with Lav Eli. I also recorded and album with a side project called Force Major in 2000.

AH: Do you feel the material on the new album is similar to what you have written in the past?

GM: No. This style is a first for me. Previously, I have always written for a standard rock combo--electric guitar, bass, drums--this is a big change. It's a simpler sound, just acoustic guitar, banjo, and percussion. In the past, the music had always taken precedence over the lyrics. This time I intended to have the lyrics and music have equal importance. On this album I felt the need to have the music more strongly reflect the words.

AH: This album will expose many Western listeners to your music for the first time. Do you have any message to convey to this new audience?

GM: Many people listening to modern Armenian music know pop singers--Tata and Nune. I would like people not to base their opinions of Armenian music solely on this style. I encourage them to see what else is coming out of Armenia.

AH: Your solo album features two other musicians. Who are they and how did you meet them?

GM: I've known Jason Demerjian (percussion) for five years. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Stepanavan. We met through a mutual friend in Vanadzor and became very close. Aaron Stayman (banjo/guitar), a current Peace Corps Volunteer, did his training in Vanadzor last summer. I would frequently distract him from his classes to drink beer and play guitar. In both cases the playing relationship is based on friendship.

AH: What's next?

GM: We are working on another album. The style will be similar to that of the previous album, but with an emphasis on richer instrumentation. I envision flute, strings, accordion, and more percussion. As for the future, God knows.

Gor Mkhitarian's compact disc, "Yeraz," is available for purchase from the Hairenik Bookstore. Music samples can be heard at www.pomegranatemusic.com. For ordering information, call the Hairenik Bookstore at (617) 926-3974, or write to 80 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472.