All in Album Review

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.

Critique and Kooyrigs Partner to Release YERAZ, A Compilation Championing Reflection, Commemoration, and Activism

Critique and Kooyrigs Partner to Release YERAZ, A Compilation Championing Reflection, Commemoration, and Activism

Pauline Pechakjian
Album Review, New Music

Creative label Critique has partnered with non-profit organization Kooyrigs to release YERAZ [Past, Present And Future Armenian Sounds From Los Angeles to Yerevan], exploring and deepening the understanding of music across the global Armenian diaspora in its compilation of ten reflective, meditative, and transcendental songs from various genres, including electronica, ambient, and instrumental. All of the sales from the vinyl records will be donated to Kooyrigs to be used towards rebuilding and aid efforts in Armenia, especially in light of the 2020 Artsakh War. Read on to learn how this dreamy project came to fruition, and how music, art, and activism culminated in this pioneering effort.

Artist To Watch: Russo Releases Debut EP, 'House With A Pool'

Artist To Watch: Russo Releases Debut EP, 'House With A Pool'

Pauline Pechakjian
New Music, Artists to Watch, Album Review

Russo is your new favorite summer fling that actually sticks. The band released a debut EP earlier this summer, aptly titled House With A Pool, introducing Russo’s signature sound, which is very much influenced and informed by the music of the 80s and 90s, but is also fresh and apt for the times with lyrics and beats relatable to today’s culture. As indicated by their catalogue of songs, their artsy music videos, and energetic live performances, the band has a lot of fun, and invites the listener to do so as well.

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