Serj Tankian, lead singer of System Of A Down, talks about his departure from the band, activism, and Armenian coffee. He discusses his upbringing in Beirut, family history, and the possibility of reuniting with the band. Exploring his musical journey, band dynamics, and navigating post-9/11 backlash and geopolitical activism.
Serj Tankian's unique music journey from System of a Down to his solo career showcases diverse talents and emotional depth.
System of a Down's enduring relationships among band members highlight their chemistry, individual contributions, and creative dynamics.
Serge Tonkien's recording experiences and collaborations offer insights into his diverse musical influences, vocal techniques, and creative process.
Deep dives
Serge Tonkien's Unconventional Musical Journey
Serge Tonkien's musical journey, from System of a Down to his solo career, showcases his diverse talents. Starting with System of a Down, he brought a unique outsider perspective to the band's sound, blending various influences and unconventional approaches to create groundbreaking music. Despite not fitting the typical metal mold, Serge's creativity and dedication to his craft carved a distinct path within the industry. His ability to channel personal emotions and frustrations into his music served as a powerful outlet, reflecting his deep connection to his artistry.
Long-standing Relationships and Artistic Chemistry
The enduring relationships within System of a Down highlight the band's unique chemistry and individual contributions. Over three decades of collaboration, each band member's distinct personality, playing style, and creative input coalesce to define the band's iconic sound. The dynamic interplay of contrasting elements, from stubbornness to creative differences, fuels the band's artistic process and shapes their collective identity. Serge recognizes the intrinsic value of these relationships, acknowledging them as integral to the band's longstanding success and artistic evolution.
Recording Process and Musical Influences
Serge Tonkien's recording experiences, notably at Cello Studios, and interactions with music icons like Tom Petty, offer insights into his creative process. Working with Rick Rubin, Serge learned the importance of precise pronunciation and attention to detail in music production. His influences span a wide spectrum, from heavy metal classics to eclectic instrumental bands, reflecting his diverse musical palette and exploration of various genres. Balancing loud and soft dynamics, Serge's vocal techniques reveal a nuanced approach to preserving his voice while delivering emotive performances.
The Impact of Music Curation on Discoverability
Navigating the current abundance of music, the podcast discusses the challenges of discovering new, unique bands beyond mainstream genres. It highlights the limitations of popular music streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music in providing diverse curation. The conversation underscores the nostalgia for curated music experiences offered by DJs or indie stores, where personal recommendations and exploration were integral to uncovering hidden gems.
Addressing Truth to Power and Freedom of Speech
The podcast delves into a significant personal moment after the 9/11 attacks that shaped the narrative and values of the speaker. The discussion revolves around speaking truth to power, anti-authoritarianism, and the importance of freedom of speech. It reflects on challenging times when the speaker faced backlash for criticizing US government policies, emphasizing the necessity to uphold truth and principles regardless of public opinion and societal norms.
Serj Tankian made his first foray into public life as the idiosyncratic lead singer of the late ‘90s metal band System Of A Down. After releasing five platinum-selling albums with the band, and establishing himself as one of modern-day music’s most outspoken human-rights activists, in 2007, Serj left System to pursue his own artistic pursuits. Since then he’s released solo albums, composed symphonies, scored documentaries, and most recently started producing a line of Armenian coffee.
In May, Serj also released a memoir called “Down With The System” that details his personal story that starts in Beirut before his family emigrated to Los Angeles during the Lebanese Civil War in the ‘70s. Serj’s memoir also details his family's history in Armenia, and their chilling plight during the genocide of 1915.
On today’s episode Leah Rose talks to Serj Tankian about why he always felt like an outsider—including in System Of A Down. He also explains why it was so essential for him to exercise his demons on stage, and the one fundamental change that needs to take place in order for him to record new music with the band.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Serj Tankian songs HERE.
