Aram Rian - “Depression is what starts me to write”

The Britpop music group VO.X officially launched its first Armenian CD, “Made in Երեւան” (Made in Yerevan), on November 14. Aram and Gaya Rian, the two singer-songwriters of VO.X, were born in Armenia and now reside in Britain.

They have put together an album of 24 songs tackling aspects of modern-day human life and social relations head on. The songs promote values - honesty, true friendship, kindness - and challenges of contemporary society -loneliness, depression, alienation – against the backdrop of today’s Yerevan, their home town. VO.X calls a spade a spade through heartfelt songs that speak of daily human life in the most realistic way, promoting such high values as true friendship, honesty, openness, kindness, as well as tackling such commonplace issues as in the modern-day society.

A longing for the real Yerevan

“There is a longing for the real Yerevan. Yerevan is something different; it’s not the Yerevan of kebab joints. The real Yerevan is there, but it’s wearing a disguise in order to turn tricks as a prostitute, to look attractive and make money. But when you get rid of the disguise, what appears is the Yerevan of the “Made in Երեւան” CD,” says VO.X project producer Aram Rian.

One cut on the CD, “Teghut” is probably the first Armenian song that deals with the looming ecological disaster in Armenia. Aram says he’s dedicated the song to his wife Gaya as a tribute to her environmental activism. It’s also a paean to the forests where he spent many happy childhood days. The song was first performed in Armenian capital at   celebrations marking the 2792th anniversary of Yerevan-Erebuni in October. VO.X doesn’t sit down to write songs with a social content because it wants to create a new image for itself or find a new audience. “I am a songwriter and I don’t compartmentalize myself according to certain styles. I have songs that are part jazz, part blues, rock operas, etc. My songs have all the necessary attributes to turn into show business music. I would say that most of my compositions are in the Euro-Armenian vein,” says Aram.

Originally a gospel/Christian group

VO.X was originally formed as a gospel/Christian musical project back in  1999.As a concept, VO.X (read as "vox") is meant to be interpreted as Vox ("voice" in Latin), i.e. voice of conscience, high values, God, a prophetic "voice in the wilderness" of the modern society; Over the years, Aram has written about 1,500 songs and has made 20 music videos. For the most part, Aram likes the songs he has crafted. There are just a few that he frowns upon. Luckily, others enjoy these as well. Aram laughs and says that, “The people who listen to VO.X songs are the ones who haven’t yet lost their conscience. Each person evaluates the creative life of VO.X according to their own level of degradation.” I ask him if conditions actually change due to the socially-charged music. “I sing about issues that get under my skin, that move me. It’s not like I sit down and draft a Five-Year plan about what to write. What’s important is to be honest and sincere. I would often think about, say, John Lennon, who wrote the first songs with social relevance. Did they change anything other than the millions of dollars they made for him and all the kudos? Other than this, I don’t see much of anything else. It’s a big enough accomplishment if a smattering of individuals, scattered here and there, change by listening to your songs,” Aram answers.

Armenia must wear a disguise

He believes that Armenia’s number one problem is the fact that being small, it must put wear a disguise as well; either the mask of the United States or Russia. Aram has no doubt that the majority of civic organizations and social movements operating in Armenia have U.S. or European backing.

“Each type of freedom, law, democracy, opposition, faith and movement, must be ours. They must be planted in our soil and take root her, free of foreign fertilizers. In this context, I can state that VO.X is independent; it does not represent the views of any organization, movement, sect or political party. The group does not belong to the class of sanctioned ‘palace’ artists and neither to the opposition. VO.X secures such a position in the music world by writing its own songs, by its unique musical arrangements and producing its music videos. The group’s recently released video, “Yes im anoush Hayastani (My sweet Armenia), based on the poem of the same name by Yeghishe Charents, caused quite a commotion. “Those who don’t know us watch the video and see a guy with a modern hair-cut, ripping off a poem by Charents. But, in reality, it’s not like this. Just possibly, twenty years from now, our work will be regarded as classical. We approach what we do with the utmost seriousness.” Aram and Gaya moved to England in 2000. Coming back to Armenia after such a long absence, they noticed that much has changed here, and not all for the better. Disappointment followed disappointment.

“I can’t sing about love in Armenian”

“Back in England, it never crossed my mind to write songs of social relevance. My English CD’s are full of London-esque emotions and nostalgia. But when I start writing in Armenian, I can’t help but touch upon the situation in Armenia and the problems there. It even amazes me how people here in Armenia can write love songs. For the life of me, I could never sing about love in Armenian,” Aram says. Aram continues to feel like an emigrant in his homeland. He says that those like him have changed, becoming soulless businessmen. “There are signs of development. They construct new buildings without taking into account seismic standards. You see a lot of new supermarkets. But then what? What exactly has changed? We should at least become a good example of Asian culture. And it’s not all that bad to be compared to Africa. But today, we are neither Europe, Asia nor Africa.” When in Armenia, Aram’s creative muse is depression. It’s a state of mind that starts the creative juices flowing. He studied English at Yerevan State University’s Department of Romance Languages and took directing classes offered by the BBC. VO.X has won a number of music awards overseas and the group’s first two CD’s were launched in Great Britain. In 2003, one of the "Hand on the Plough" CD tracks, "No Matter", made VO.X nominees for the British Music Awards in the category of Best British Gospel Group. The band reprised this success with the song “Gone with the wind” from the same album. Both songs received a ton of airtime by all the local BBC radio stations all over the UK. An America company purchased three tracks in one shot from the group for use in upcoming film soundtracks.

The group never gets invited to Armenia

While VO.X is well regarded overseas, it has yet to make a name for itself in Armenia. The group is never invited to perform at musical/cultural events here, nor has it received any awards. “Now, when they approach me and ask if we’ll take part in an event, I mockingly answer, ‘only if you can guarantee that we win’. Who is going to give us an award? Aram rhetorically asks. Those who organize concerts and other such events here in Armenia argue that VO.X’s music doesn’t have mass appeal and that the average guy in the street doesn’t “get it”. Aram responds by saying, “The people who believe this are the very ones who stifle the musical tastes of the people and decide what it is they should hear.” “”They don’t see any profit in us. We film our videos and no one makes any money off them by broadcasting them on all the Armenian TV channels.” The group has only had one gig in Armenia – a solo performance. I ask Aram what needs to be done to create the Yerevan as depicted in the “Made in Երեւան” CD. Aram mulls it over a bit and says it’s a tough nut to crack. “It might sometimes seem like a dead end, but in the end it’s up to the people. Who else will take up the struggle? The only thing is that they don’t allow the people to struggle. That’s when opposition movements start to form. But, I’m against them. That’s why it’s hard to specifically state what needs to be done. That’s why I sing.”