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20 QUESTIONS WITH SERJ TANKIAN!! Iann Robinson Interviewing Serj Tankian |
Posted by Vuki on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 09:16 AM
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Rarely if ever do I drop the term “artist” about anybody in modern music. The music world for the most part is a decadent decaying whorehouse that needs to be burned to the ground a rebuilt. That being said Serj Tankian is a true artist. Not only am I a huge fan of his music but Serj is an inspirational person to know and a great example of what can be done to change the world. Serj just released his solo album “Elect The Dead” and he took time out of his busy schedule to talk to Our Worlds At War.
OUR WORLDS AT WAR: So what's new in the world of Serj Tankian?
SERJ TANKIAN: Just got back from a month of touring in Europe promoting Elect the Dead. We did 10 shows with the Foos and a handful of our own shows there.
OWAW: You recently released your solo album “Elect The Dead”, how is the music in it varied from what people have come to expect from System Of A Down?
ST: "Elect the Dead" is a lot more intimate and personal lyrically, and more classical and grand musically if I were to touch on some defining characteristics.
OWAW: Tell me a bit about the song Empty Walls
ST: Think of walking down the street and looking at buildings without walls where you see everything. What if we create most of our walls to perception? What if those walls stop us from empathizing with all of the suffering around us..
OWAW: What is going on with Serjical Strike records?
ST: Well, we've got "Elect the Dead" doing really well along with Fair to Midland's record kicking ass. We're gonna re-release the Buckethead And Friends record early next year because our distributor (owned by Tower Records) went bankrupt so the CDs were off the shelves recently. We're also planning on doing a new Buckethead record and have been working on a few new signings for 08.
OWAW: How has fan response been to the solo album? Were you ever worried a solo venture wouldn't be accepted?
ST: So far the response to Elect The Dead has been amazing. We were playing shows to packed crowds before the record even came out, and everyone was intently listening to what's gonna happen next. That was exciting. Ultimately though, as an artist, you have to just do what you do no matter the response to be true to your art, right?
OWAW: 2008 is the final year for president bush, how do you think this last year will play out for his presidency?
ST: Not sure, but I sure hope that he doesn't get us into more trouble. Congress seems to be keeping him at bay a bit which is the type of balance of powers we were lacking in the last few years.
OWAW: With all of the lies, half truths and back peddling that this administration has done concerning the war, why do you think there is so much apathy with the American people towards getting angry about the war.
ST: Everything around us in modern society makes us feel like we're powerless and unable to make significant changes. It's the furthest from the truth. We are powerful beings who can interact with the rest of nature around us and create our destiny. Most people feel politically impotent. If they didn't you'd see more people on the streets asserting their rights as citizens in demanding the truth.
OWAW: You are an author, musician, activist and producer. With each one of these things, explain what you get out of them and why you do them.
ST: Writing, poetry especially, is the most intimate presentation of thoughts and feelings.Music is the most powerful of all mediums that I practice that on one hand allows me to communicate (music comes from the universe and is reflected back with the songwriter as a presenter), and on the other gives me a feeling of utter fulfillment in creativity. Activism is my ability to put my money where my mouth is. I think it's not enough to talk about positive change but to take direct, personal steps to create it. Producing gives me the ability to finalize my visualization of a song (the way I hear it).
OWAW: Who do you garner inspiration from?
ST: Life itself. Conversations, thoughts, emotions, books, films, other music, politics, colors, nature, events, you name it.
OWAW: Would you yourself ever consider running for an elected position?
ST: I won't run for office because I never want to be in a position to negotiate the truth
OWAW: Do you ever grow weary of being seen as a political figure? Did you always want to be involved in activism?
ST: Only when it's a shortcut to the presentation of the diversity of my art. Otherwise, I don't mind it. The hypocritical denial of the Armenian genocide within a democracy made me more aware of other truths out there and gave me the ability to empathize with other injustices.
OWAW: Tell us something people might be surprised to know about you.
ST: I smile more than I scream.
OWAW: If you weren't in music, what would you be doing with your life?
ST: Not sure. It's hard to predict given a myriad of possibilities available in a given second.
OWAW: What pop culture trend do you dislike the most?
ST: Media and the public’s addiction to cheap entertainment and cheap entertainers.
OWAW: What advice would you give America so we can stop being as hated around the world as we seem to be?
ST: 1) I recommend we all educate ourselves on the history of our foreign policy, especially within the last 100 years.
2) Let's speak through the powerful heart of our philanthropy and not through the powerful guns preferred by our leaders.
3) When vacationing, let's learn a few foreign words to show respect to our host country (American and British tourists are renowned for wanting things "like home" according to most European vacation spots.
OWAW: What's one genre of music you haven't been involved with that you like to do more in?
ST: Anything I haven't covered, I'd like to, yes, even country. I recently thought of writing a song that's a hip-hop/country/Christmas tune...haha..
OWAW: What's next as far as touring?
ST: We're starting back up with our tours in Feb 08 in the U.S., then off to Europe, then festivals in U.S. and Europe, then who knows...Australia, NZ, Japan, S. America, etc.
OWAW: Name a literary character you'd like to have dinner with, why?
ST: Doctor Zhivago cause he was surrounded by great lovers.
OWAW: Top 5 favorite movies.
ST: Pass...I hate top anything. (OK SERJ, I CAN RESPECT THAT)
OWAW: Where are some good places for people who want to get involved in activism to start?
ST: Axis Of Justice. We have a place on the site where you can enter in your zip code and we'll list local organizations creating positive change in your own home town. If you're interested in labor issues, you can find that, environmental issues, etc...Everyone should follow their own path and vision in what they want to achieve. It's important to create positive change even if it's just opening a door for someone. Amnesty International, Greenpeace. Just do a search of non-profit organizations that may spark your interest. MTV started MTV Think which is a community for activists where people can setup profiles. There are many organizations there listed as well.
Thanks so much Serj, it’s always an inspiration to speak with you.
OWAW
Taken from
http://ianntalksshit.blogspot.com/2008/01/20-questions-with-serj-tankian.html
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Comments
loly
22.01.08, 14:14
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Awesome! very interesting! Luv serj
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loly
22.01.08, 14:20
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lol..and 1st comment,hop he comes to spain!
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systemcia
22.01.08, 16:24
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Serj comes to Poland !! yeeeeaaahh!!!! ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^
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Aciid_drop
22.01.08, 16:36
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This is awesome,he's gona make a new album with bucket :D,n great interview.
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tiffanyevett
22.01.08, 17:30
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sweet, that was a awsome interview, that is ging to be cool and new buckethead album sweet, can't wait, lol, i luv serj :)
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danielpsoad-09
22.01.08, 18:08
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Tour on South America ???? Please Serj, do it !! Thanks ^^
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2eroSOAD
22.01.08, 18:58
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Thanks, that was really good. Serj inspires me so much.
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GonzaTheSecond
22.01.08, 19:50
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s. america? south america? :O please :P
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versza
22.01.08, 23:31
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really good interview, however, nothing surprising (except the tours)
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Siefl
23.01.08, 00:40
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cool man! :D cant wait for the buckethead album now! xD
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serjdhalsim
23.01.08, 04:22
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south america....if he comes to peru i'll die happy
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petersa
23.01.08, 12:53
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Yeh baby he said New Zealand, i hope he is not lying
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x@RT
24.01.08, 13:58
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Serj, pls visit Eastern Europe!!! Ukraine!!! Kiev!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plz!!
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DegaBaznyciaDega
24.01.08, 15:52
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i dont like to post short/dumb comments but all fit in few words, i admire serj even more right now.
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maciekboss
24.01.08, 23:39
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poland waiting for you serj!!!
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ShepardOfRot
26.01.08, 00:14
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I have always admired and respected serj to my greatest extent... but WOW... GO SYSTEM! GO ETD!!!! System Of A Down FTW! Can't wait till '09! System needs to get back together and make a bunch more songs!
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ShepardOfRot
26.01.08, 00:15
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Visit Joplin, Missouri in America! Please!
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Serj'sLUVER-YEA
28.01.08, 21:29
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"ST: I smile more than I scream."^^ I smiled when I saw this. Anyway, this was cool. :D
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