VanaTor Group founder Interview with Tigran Kuchatyan
_We know the group’s name comes from armenian and scandinavian gods Vanatur and Tor. Does that imply that the group’s goal was to promote more than just Armenian national songs or were other nationalities included?
_With this, there is not real advertising in it. We love folk music and love the energy that comes with it. Of course, our national songs are covers, but we also perform ethnic songs from Scandinavian and Celtic cultures. The goal of the group was initially to present ethnic music in general, no matter where it is from.
_Was there enough time for you to transition from the Karahunj group to the Vanator group?
_When the Karahunj group dispersed after about two or three months ago, I was thinking about forming a new group and I created the new group in the last year. One of our first concerts was at the Narekatsi Art Institute, it has been followed by a couple of festivals and small concerts.
_ Is the VanaTor group’s objective is to make a larger impact on the youth through music distribution? If so, what steps are you taking to do this?
_In general, the group’s main goal is to keep musical heritage alive and share it with today’s audience. If we talk about our music distribution, we cooperate with school directors who invite us to perform concerts. In this way, for example, we are able to share the music with the next generation through national songs. We have yet to make a large scale plans.
We recently performed at the Narekatsi Art Institute, Narek has space for about a hundred people. It is good because I would rather have a passionate crowd of a hundred than a bored crowd of fifty thousand, too many people can make a bad listening experience for the youth. It does create a taste for the youth though.
_Do you believe that music can help to bring up a generation?
_I think it can, although I would not consider myself someone who grew up with music. I remember listening to a lot of songs and feeling the impact of music on me and how ethnic music felt the same as rock.
_When you try to introduce a new version of a song, are you concerned that you are pushing your own values with your interpretation?
_ When I work on a song, the most important thing is to keep the mood of the period it is from. If you are able to get into the mindset of the period you will be able to sing the song successfully. When you do that, all of the important elements are present.
_What memories do you have from Lake Sevan?
_To me, Sevan means friendship. The first thing I remember is evening sitting on the shore and talking. Often the evenings would slowly turn to mornings. We would sit around the fire all night, playing guitar, singing, and with this our group expanded, we would have strangers join us all the time. I believe that is how to spend a good day at the lake.
_ What made you participate in the Sevan Music Festival?
_First of all, I am very pleased to know that this years theme is folk music. I think the lake is a perfect place for us to do this. The borders that this festival will break down are very important and I hope it will expand internationally. We need festivals like this to expand our musical tastes.
Prepared by Hermine Gharibyan