Grammy-award-winning artist Serj Tankian discusses his musical journey with System Of A Down, activism, Armenian heritage, and collaborations. Topics include post-9/11 fears, Armenian Genocide, cultural influences, musical harmony, political challenges, and spirituality in music.
Tankian's diverse musical career spans System Of A Down, solo albums, and film compositions, showcasing his versatility.
Tankian's commitment to human rights, environmental causes, and Armenian heritage shapes his activism and artistic expression.
The podcast delves into Tankian's profound journey of self-discovery through writing, exploring justice, spirituality, and personal evolution.
Deep dives
The Evolution into Writing a Memoir
Initially considering writing a philosophy book, the speaker later decided to write a memoir exploring the intersections of justice and spirituality, gaining insights into personal evolution as a human and an artist. Delving into family history for research, the writing process became a profound learning experience, leading to self-discovery and introspection through sharing personal stories and lessons.
Challenges and Controversies in Music Career
Reflecting on the impact of their music during a tumultuous time, the podcast discusses how their songs, like 'Toxicity,' faced censorship post-9/11 due to fears of provoking emotions. The speaker highlights the power of music in conveying deeper meanings unintentionally, with poetic lines gaining unforeseen significance due to external events, echoing instances of self-censorship and artistic expression under societal pressures.
Armenian Genocide and Cultural Activism
Exploring deep-rooted Armenian history, the podcast delves into the speaker's family connection to the Armenian Genocide and subsequent survival stories. Sharing harrowing accounts of survival and loss, the narrative intertwines personal experiences with the broader historical context, advocating for recognition and remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, while highlighting ongoing geopolitical tensions and the pivotal role of cultural activism in shaping identity and advocating for justice.
Influences of Early Musical Collaborations on Band Dynamics
The podcast episode explores the origins of the band's unique sound, attributing it to the diverse yet harmonious collaboration between the members. One particular memory highlighted the first harmonization between two bandmates that led to the realization of their special musical chemistry. The discussion emphasizes the importance of each member's contribution, highlighting the power of collaboration in creating a distinct musical identity.
Internal Struggles and Artistic Evolution in Music
The challenges of long-term touring and artistic stagnation are discussed, shedding light on the internal conflicts that arise from repetitive performances and the impact on artistic expression. The podcast delves into the artist's shift towards one-off events and special performances to combat redundancy and maintain creative integrity. Furthermore, the exploration of unique performance experiences and the pursuit of diverse musical genres highlight the artist's continuous evolution in balancing creativity and professional demands.
Serj Tankian is a Grammy-award-winning artist best known for being the frontman of System Of A Down. His powerful vocals and thought-provoking lyrics helped the group achieve wild success, including over 40 million records sold worldwide, multiple platinum albums, more than a billion YouTube plays, and multiple Grammy nominations (winning Best Hard Rock Performance in 2006 for "B.Y.O.B."). Beyond System Of A Down, Tankian has released five solo albums (Elect the Dead, Imperfect Harmonies, Harakiri, Orca, Jazz-Iz-Christ, and Elasticity), composed music for film and television (Body of Lies, Godzilla: King Of The Monsters, Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields, among many more), and been a prominent activist for human rights, environmental issues, and causes related to his Armenian heritage (In 2011, he was awarded the Armenian Prime Minister's Medal for his significant contributions to the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide). His book Down with the System: A Memoir (of Sorts)—which shares his extraordinary life story, from his childhood in war-torn Beirut and his family’s move to Los Angeles, to his decision to pursue music and his rise to fame as the lead singer of System—is out now!
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