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I want people to know that I am Armenian - interview with Tamar Kaprelian
http://style.news.am/eng/news/2892/i-want-people-to-know-that-i-am-armenian---interview-with-tamar-kaprelian.html
FEBRUARY 10, 18:49
Famous singer Tamar Kaprelian is known for her incredible style in
music. In an interview with NEWS.am STYLE she shared her thoughts,
feelings about writing a song and her vision on music.
How long have you been on stage? Who is the author of your wonderful songs?
According to my mother, I was singing before I was talking. But my
musical abilities came from my father and I was very influenced by the
records he would play in the house as I was growing up.
I started writing songs as the age of fifteen. I write my own material
and it has always been important for me to do so. It is an incredible
creative outlet.
Do you perceive yourself `old soul' when it is related to songs? Your
songs really contain tunefulness that modern hits usually lack. Modern
people seem to have no interest in pure music. Do you agree?
I think the music that I write greatly reflects the type of music I
grew up listening to. I adore the writers of the 60's and 70's: Billy
Joel, The Beatles, Carole King. Those artists took the time to perfect
their craft. They were innovative and they were not afraid of taking
chances.
In my opinion, what is lacking in modern music comes more from a
business perspective than a creative one. There are many incredible
artists making incredible music, however, if you look at the 70's as a
model for how long it took, on average, to quote `break' an artist, it
took many, many years and many, many record releases. But since then,
the music business has greatly changed. Record labels are afraid to
take chances. And that is really a shame, because it stunts creativity
and originality.
For any performer his work is a child. Can you tell about `birth' of
one of your songs?
Writing and finishing a piece of music is always a cathartic
experience and with each song, I have a different relationship.
Sometimes the inspiration comes easily and other times, it will not be
there at all.
One thing that I have noticed is, the more I read, the more inspired I
am. I started studying at Columbia University a little over a year ago
and it has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I am
feeding my brain with knowledge knowing, fully, that it is going to
strengthen my skills and abilities as a writer and poet.
Your name and surname is Armenian, although in American showbiz people
usually take short names, while Armenian names are too long and
difficult to pronounce. But, you chose an Armenian stage name. Why did
you replace Mardirossian by Kaprielian?
I am incredibly proud of my heritage, so I chose to keep my name and
not shorten it. I want people to know that I am Armenian.
Kaprelian is my mother's maiden name and I chose it in honor of my
grandfather who passed away a few years ago.
Please, tell about your family. Where did they come from?
My great-grandparents are from old Armenia
My mother's side: my grandfather, Girair Kaprelian, was born in Turkey
[Kharpert] and my Grandmother, Hasmik Kaprelian, was born in Iraq
[Mousel]. They met in Iraq- my grandfather owned a successful textile
manufacturing business in the Middle East.
My father's side: My grandfather, George Mardirossian, was born in
Israel [Jerusalem] and my grandmother, Victoria Ewin, was born in
England [Liverpool]. They met in Egypt and moved to Manchester where
they started an Armenian hotel/restaurant.
My parents, Avedis and Silva Mardirossian, met in Manchester and moved
to the states (Scottsdale, Arizona), where they raised my brother and
I.
Each Armenian family in Diaspora preserves certain national
traditions, for example gathering for the Easter or other holidays,
cooking national dishes, etc. Is there such a tradition in your
family?
Although I live in New York, I always go back to Los Angeles to
celebrate Armenian Christmas on January 6th. And if, by chance, I am
not able to make it home- for example, last Easter- I always make sure
to find an Armenian church in the city that I am. Going to church and
lighting a candle is a spiritual tradition that I cherish.
Also, whenever I am feeling homesick in New York, there is a wonderful
Armenian restaurant called Almayass that I go to. My favorite Armenian
dish they make is their mantee with spinach. It always reminds me of
my grandmothers cooking.
People in Armenia are listening to your songs. Last year your fans
launched a campaign in social networks asking you to represent Armenia
at Eurovision. Do you plan to give a concert, here in Armenia?
It is an incredible honor to know that people in Armenia are
listening to my music. I want nothing more than to connect with the
people in my homecountry.
I am planning on visiting Armenia this summer and I would absolutely
love to do a concert there. I would even like to record and
collaborate with Armenian artists and producers.
Your debut album was released three years ago. I think many people are
waiting for the next. Do you have news for your fans?
I released a few new songs over the summer and the title of the EP is
California. I am always working on new material and music and I hope
to release something new very, very soon!
Also, on the side, I run a fashion and lifestyle website called
Up-Town-Girl.Com. It is another creative outlet and another way for me
to connect one-on-one with people.
NEWS.am STYLE
http://style.news.am/eng/news/2892/i-want-people-to-know-that-i-am-armenian---interview-with-tamar-kaprelian.html
FEBRUARY 10, 18:49
Famous singer Tamar Kaprelian is known for her incredible style in
music. In an interview with NEWS.am STYLE she shared her thoughts,
feelings about writing a song and her vision on music.
How long have you been on stage? Who is the author of your wonderful songs?
According to my mother, I was singing before I was talking. But my
musical abilities came from my father and I was very influenced by the
records he would play in the house as I was growing up.
I started writing songs as the age of fifteen. I write my own material
and it has always been important for me to do so. It is an incredible
creative outlet.
Do you perceive yourself `old soul' when it is related to songs? Your
songs really contain tunefulness that modern hits usually lack. Modern
people seem to have no interest in pure music. Do you agree?
I think the music that I write greatly reflects the type of music I
grew up listening to. I adore the writers of the 60's and 70's: Billy
Joel, The Beatles, Carole King. Those artists took the time to perfect
their craft. They were innovative and they were not afraid of taking
chances.
In my opinion, what is lacking in modern music comes more from a
business perspective than a creative one. There are many incredible
artists making incredible music, however, if you look at the 70's as a
model for how long it took, on average, to quote `break' an artist, it
took many, many years and many, many record releases. But since then,
the music business has greatly changed. Record labels are afraid to
take chances. And that is really a shame, because it stunts creativity
and originality.
For any performer his work is a child. Can you tell about `birth' of
one of your songs?
Writing and finishing a piece of music is always a cathartic
experience and with each song, I have a different relationship.
Sometimes the inspiration comes easily and other times, it will not be
there at all.
One thing that I have noticed is, the more I read, the more inspired I
am. I started studying at Columbia University a little over a year ago
and it has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I am
feeding my brain with knowledge knowing, fully, that it is going to
strengthen my skills and abilities as a writer and poet.
Your name and surname is Armenian, although in American showbiz people
usually take short names, while Armenian names are too long and
difficult to pronounce. But, you chose an Armenian stage name. Why did
you replace Mardirossian by Kaprielian?
I am incredibly proud of my heritage, so I chose to keep my name and
not shorten it. I want people to know that I am Armenian.
Kaprelian is my mother's maiden name and I chose it in honor of my
grandfather who passed away a few years ago.
Please, tell about your family. Where did they come from?
My great-grandparents are from old Armenia
My mother's side: my grandfather, Girair Kaprelian, was born in Turkey
[Kharpert] and my Grandmother, Hasmik Kaprelian, was born in Iraq
[Mousel]. They met in Iraq- my grandfather owned a successful textile
manufacturing business in the Middle East.
My father's side: My grandfather, George Mardirossian, was born in
Israel [Jerusalem] and my grandmother, Victoria Ewin, was born in
England [Liverpool]. They met in Egypt and moved to Manchester where
they started an Armenian hotel/restaurant.
My parents, Avedis and Silva Mardirossian, met in Manchester and moved
to the states (Scottsdale, Arizona), where they raised my brother and
I.
Each Armenian family in Diaspora preserves certain national
traditions, for example gathering for the Easter or other holidays,
cooking national dishes, etc. Is there such a tradition in your
family?
Although I live in New York, I always go back to Los Angeles to
celebrate Armenian Christmas on January 6th. And if, by chance, I am
not able to make it home- for example, last Easter- I always make sure
to find an Armenian church in the city that I am. Going to church and
lighting a candle is a spiritual tradition that I cherish.
Also, whenever I am feeling homesick in New York, there is a wonderful
Armenian restaurant called Almayass that I go to. My favorite Armenian
dish they make is their mantee with spinach. It always reminds me of
my grandmothers cooking.
People in Armenia are listening to your songs. Last year your fans
launched a campaign in social networks asking you to represent Armenia
at Eurovision. Do you plan to give a concert, here in Armenia?
It is an incredible honor to know that people in Armenia are
listening to my music. I want nothing more than to connect with the
people in my homecountry.
I am planning on visiting Armenia this summer and I would absolutely
love to do a concert there. I would even like to record and
collaborate with Armenian artists and producers.
Your debut album was released three years ago. I think many people are
waiting for the next. Do you have news for your fans?
I released a few new songs over the summer and the title of the EP is
California. I am always working on new material and music and I hope
to release something new very, very soon!
Also, on the side, I run a fashion and lifestyle website called
Up-Town-Girl.Com. It is another creative outlet and another way for me
to connect one-on-one with people.
NEWS.am STYLE