Serj Tankian: How Can Music be Harnessed to Change the World?
May 21, 2024
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Serj Tankian, lead vocalist of System of a Down, discusses music's power to change the world. He shares insights on art, spirituality, activism, and embracing music despite struggles. Tankian explores his Armenian heritage, artistic activism for justice, and promoting hope for a better future.
Music can be a tool for global change by challenging socio-political norms through transformative performances.
Spiritual beliefs across indigenous cultures emphasize reverence for a higher power beyond human form, contrasting Western theological constructs.
Immigrant experiences and artistic fulfillment intertwine, showcasing the journey from familial pressures to pursuing individual artistic paths.
Deep dives
The Multifaceted Approach to Meditation and Creativity
Creativity, whether in music, art, or any form, demands presence to achieve a state of walking meditation. This awareness leads to profound artistic expressions where the individual becomes immersed in the creative process, reaching moments of beautiful and honest clarity. The podcast delves into the speaker's personal experience on stage, where losing oneself in the music unveils unique moments of honesty and connection within the artistic expression.
Exploring Spiritual Revolution and Indigenous Perspectives
The discussion navigates through the spiritual revolution and the interconnection of various indigenous cultures and their profound spiritual beliefs. Insights from experiences in New Zealand, Maori, Aboriginal, Australian, and Native American traditions emphasize the shared reverence for a higher power that transcends human form. Reflections on divine energies, creative forces, and the great mystery underscore the contrast between indigenous spiritual views devoid of paternalistic figures and Western theological constructs.
Epiphanies, Artistic Journeys, and Activism
Rainn Wilson shares his transformative epiphany from pursuing law to embracing music as his true calling, marking a pivotal shift towards artistic fulfillment. The podcast delves into Wilson's immigrant background, cultural intersectionality, and the journey to becoming the lead singer of a successful rock band. Personal anecdotes reveal the pressures faced by immigrant children and the pursuit of individual artistic paths amidst familial responsibilities, intertwined with insights on Armenian heritage, activism, and the shaping of identity in diverse cultural contexts.
Journey in Music
The podcast delves into the speaker's journey in music, from initially feeling pressured to succeed in music to eventually finding his passion and transitioning from different bands. Starting as a keyboardist in an alternative rock band, he eventually began singing in a more aggressive style before forming the well-known band, System of a Down. The speaker reflects on the challenges faced in the music industry and emphasizes the importance of determination and passion in pursuing a career in the arts.
Activism and Spiritual Transformation
The episode also explores the speaker's activism, particularly focusing on his involvement in raising awareness about the Armenian genocide and ongoing conflicts. The speaker discusses the need for justice and equitable balance in the world and highlights the interconnectedness of global issues. He emphasizes the importance of speaking up and using one's voice to advocate for social change. Additionally, the podcast delves into the spiritual aspect of creativity, highlighting how music and art serve as forms of meditation that require presence and awareness. The speaker shares transcendent experiences while performing on stage, emphasizing the transformative power of music and the artist's role in challenging socio-political norms.
Rainn sits down with the iconic Serj Tankian, lead vocalist of System of a Down, for a profound exploration of music's transformative power. In this episode of Soul Boom, Serj delves into how music can change hearts, minds, and potentially the world. He shares personal stories and insights on the unique relationship between music, spirituality, and activism, revealing how his own experiences have shaped his views. Don't miss this deep dive into the intersections of art, identity, and global change with one of rock's most distinctive voices.