Wonderful news to share with you all…

I will be performing in Los Angeles on December 18th with my very dear friend, Gor Mkhitarian! Gor and I have been friends for years… and we have talked about performing together ever since we met. And now, it is actually happening… I can hardly believe it! This is my first time performing in LA too… I am excited.

I first met Gor during my second trip to Armenia. We were introduced at a party, and we instantly became good friends when we realized that we shared a passion for music. Gor became like a brother to me; he showed me around Yerevan and took me to some of the best places to listen to live music. One of the highlights of that trip was seeing him perform live on a number of occasions. He had just released his first solo album and was promoting it, and I was thrilled to be in town at just the right time! He has such a great voice, and his songs are so engaging… he is a natural storyteller and fantastic guitarist.

Once, he invited me to accompany him on a song during one of his shows… that was an amazing moment - I didn’t have an album at that time, just my demo, so it meant a lot to have his support… he loved my demo and encouraged me so much. Another time, I asked him if he’d come to the Children’s Centre where I had been volunteering… I knew the kids would love to hear him sing… and he agreed. Guitar in hand, he sang for those kids and stole their hearts… they were mesmerized by him… my favourite part was when all of us joined in together to sing some well known Armenian songs… his presence at the centre meant so much to those children who rarely had positive male role models…

Some years have gone by since our first meeting in Yerevan… but we have remained in touch and close friends… and now, we get to perform together… this is a dream come true for me.

Here are the details:

Thursday, December 18th
Zipper Concert Hall at the Colburn School
200 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles
8PM (doors open at 7PM)
for more info, visit www.inhisshoes.org

I have some great news to share with everyone, but before I do, take a look at this in the Telegram from the CFMA Gala in Newfoundland! You can read about the show at Mariam Matossian at the CFMAs

Enjoy!

Sunday morning had breakfast with the animated Benoit, his sweet wife Carol, and Heather, PR person extraordinaire. Benoit (along with the fantastic Shelagh) was one of the MCs for the gala and it was great getting to know him and his wife better. Carol told us stories about their adventures with their four kids… I love the enthusiasm of this talented couple! You can tell that they really enjoy life. Also had breakfast with the witty Enoch Kent Saturday morning. Oh, this is someone who will make you laugh and laugh and laugh…he is a grand storyteller… I could listen to him for hours… he is a pretty great singer too.

I had prayed for sun, and God is so good… the sky was blue! I had been longing to see the harbour from the moment we had arrived in St. Johns, and today was the day! We had a small window of time before the awards gala… so I bundled up my child, and off we went downtown to see the ocean…met such friendly folks along the twisting roads leading us downward to the harbour… Water street was fun - like Commerical Drive… and the big fishing boats were in the harbour… the rugged mountains making a way for the ocean… I remembered learning about Newfoundland in Social Studies class when I was a little girl at school… there is so much history here!! Imagine the explorers finding this part of the world as they made their way over from Europe? Incredible. We had just enough time downtown and then made it back to the hotel in time to get ready for the evening…

And the gala was magical. Some great performers had flown in to showcase their talents for the evening - I was so honoured to be part of the programme for the night. I enjoyed my backstage seat, as I’d sneak out with my little one listen to the others, and then race back inside whenever she started to sing along with whomever was on stage… we caught a good portion of the show this way…and then it was my turn to sing… I loved sharing my heart with this wonderful audience… I told them a bit about Narineh and then sang this song for them… the room got so quiet as I began… it was a pretty intense moment…I could feel everyone really listening intently to me and Gord… it is quite something when the audience is with you in this way…

We didn’t win the awards for which we were nominated, oh, but it didn’t matter…my heart was full of joy to be there, to be able to sing at the gala, to share the stage with some amazing performers… to be part of the vision of the Canadian Folk Music Awards… and the finale was awesome… Figgy Duff is playing and we are all dancing backstage to the infectious music… all of a sudden, Benoit pulls me and Enoch on stage, along with Shelagh, and we are dancing there for the audience… in a circle, twirling and swirling around… Enoch already had his coat on (he was getting ready for the after party)… and hadn’t time to take it off, before getting pulled on stage by Benoit… so there he is, in his puffy winter coat, twirling me about to the Celtic melodies accompanying us!

I can’t tell you how amazing it is to be a part of all this… some of you know how the journey with the music first began… out of what was an utterly confusing time, the opportunity to sing professionally sprung forth… I remember how devastated I was at first when door after door kept closing on me after I first got back from Armenia… little did I know that the Master was at work and was orchestrating something very beautiful… and we are living it now… singing, dancing, laughing with joy… carried away by the music…

What a week!

We are back home from what has been an fantastic couple of days away in Newfoundland. Thank you to everyone for your good wishes as we journeyed up to the edge of the world for the Canadian Folk Music Awards. My little one was an absolutely amazing travel partner… she charmed everyone we met…

We were picked up in St. Johns by Jean Hewson - what a sweet lady! She is one of the organizing committee members and had a huge role in putting together the gala… and yet she still found the time to come pick us up at the airport… this is the kindness and graciousness of the people of Newfoundland that is evident everywhere you go. They all have such big hearts! Everyone calls me “Luv”… She and Frank helped us get settled into our hotel room (both are amazing musicians, by the way).

On Friday, we had some media stuff to attend to. There I am on stage in the theatre, singing Dle Yaman a cappella, while the camera is on me, I am surrounded by other nominees who are standing about, my little one is being held by a children’s singer who is also nominated, and she is watching me intently… and I try to remain very focused… as I begin to sing this extremely moving, almost sacred song, my little one lets out a wee yelp… she isn’t crying, just singing along… and I try to not get distracted but I am smiling in my heart… miraculously, she is able to stay quiet for the rest of the song… and I am still singing, still smiling…

Saturday is windy and cold and we try to brave the weather… but alas, the wind is too strong for us innocent ones… I mean, I can actually see the wind, not just the effects of it, but the actual pale white movement of cold air through the sky! It is quite something. The rest of the Maritimes are covered in snow, so I am thankful for only wind and cold rain.

And I so thankful to be back in a city where when I ask for a cup of tea the response is: with cream or milk? Yes!! I remember the first time I asked for tea in the South and the waitress asked, unsweetened or sweetened and I was stumped for a second… or another time when the waitress searched high and low for a tea bag for my hot tea (I now knew to ask for “hot tea”) and she proceeded to find one lone tattered tea bag from the back room… oh what fun!

Nothing like a good hot cup o’ tea while you are watching a wind storm from inside the warmth of a cozy inn…

Sunday’s sound check went really well… the theatre was beautiful and the sound guys were great… Gord had arrived late Saturday evening (or should I say early Sunday morning…) but he played with the same beauty as always… We were all concerned about the oud because apparently there is only one other oud on the island and it is in need of repairs… but Air Canada treated the oud well. Gord’s plane might have been delayed, but the oud was in fine shape…

Found. 3 amazing instrumentalists. Eclectic, refreshing, extremely talented, and so gracious.

All I can say is, yay!!

We have been praying for a long time now to find a group of musicians with whom I can collaborate on this side of the continent… and it looks like my Father has answered my prayer now in the most beautiful way. I was first “introduced” to River - one fantastic instrumentalist through my friend Raffi - thank you!! - who told me I had to check out River’s site on myspace which I did, of course, because I highly respect Raffi. And wow, I was blown away by what I heard… hypnotic rhythms, mesmerzing… we connected… and both tried to figure out a way to meet this fall… this all happened this past summer. Of course, he was busy with tours, I was performing in August, and then September was so busy… and finally, we reconnected and he invited us down to meet him and Chris and Eliot, the other members of his group… so we drove down, and had an incredible afternoon playing music and sharing and laughing with this group of extremely talented guys… I can’t say enough positive things about them!

We are so thrilled… this is the beginning of something very special…

We are so thrilled to share more good news with everyone: we have been nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards! First, In the Light, is up for Best Traditional Album of the Year and then I have been nominated for Best New/Emerging Artist of the Year. Yes, this has been one incredible year…on so many, many levels.

We’ll be flying up to Newfoundland to perform at the Canadian Folk Music Awards in November! I’m so excited that I actually get to see this part of my country! I have heard so many wonderful things about the warmth and kindness of the folks in Newfoundland… looking forward to meeting as many people as I can while I am up there.

Thank you for all the good wishes!

We are really excited about this news: In the Light has been nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award for Outstanding World Music Recording of the Year. We are all so thrilled about this. Thank you everyone for your good wishes and support! We’ll keep you posted!

Here is the official press release for this news:

‘Vancouver-born Armenian singer Mariam Matossian’s second CD, In the Light, has been nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award in the category of Outstanding World Music Recording of theYear. Mariam, the only female in this category this year, feels “deeply honoured.” This is the first time that an Armenian folk music recording has been nominated for an award in Canada. “We are extremely excited and pleased,” she said. “It is truly wonderful that Armenian music is being recognized in this way in Canada.”

Matossian, who has been invited to perform at festivals and in concert halls across Canada and recently in the US, began receiving public attention after her acclaimed first CD Far From Home started having frequent air play on Canada’s national radio station, CBC Radio. The same recording was then named one of the top 25 essential albums of the year by Echoes radio program in the United States. Non-Armenians began emailing her and coming to her concerts enthralled by her mesmerizing vocals and exceptionally talented band. “Non-Armenians have been the first ones to truly embrace my music,”she says. “They may not understand the words I am singing, but they love the music.” Soon after releasing her new album In the Light, CBC Radio and National Public Radio in the US, as well as radio stations in Europe, began playing her music.

In the Light, a collection of new songs that she has written and timeless folk songs she has re-interpreted, has been praised for its “emotional resonance” and beautiful, moving arrangements. Showcasing Matossian’s pure vocals and the oud, violin, mandolin and dumbec, this acoustic folk album has been called “impressive” by Canada’s folk music magazine, Penguin Eggs (Spring 2008). Moreover, her performances have received critical acclaim. In the words of theatre director, Paul Gravett, “Her unaccompanied voice soared through the theatre, blanketing the spellbound audience. Rarely have I heard simplicity and sincerity used so expertly to create such a tremendous impact.”

Matossian’s voice is often called ethereal and passionate; this passion is driven by her desire to share her Armenian heritage with a world audience. “I began this project as a vehicle through which to tell my grandparents’ story,” she shares. “My grandparents inspire me. They endured so much through the Genocide in 1915 and yet they held on to their faith in the Lord and persevered. What is more, the traditional songs I sing are all songs that my grandmother used to sing.” Matossian feels certain that with the news of this nomination, her grandparents are smiling. “If they were still here with us, they’d be thrilled that the Armenian songs that brought them much joy during such extreme hardships are being embraced by North Americans.”’

what a magical day!
…waking up to the gentle cooing of one sweet little girl (the best alarm clock ever), stepping out onto the balcony and taking in the beauty of the scenery: the lake, the mountains, eagles nesting literally in front of our room… taking an early morning stroll on the pier… breathing in the fresh air… warming up my vocal chords while my little one watches, smiles and vocalizes with me… catch up with laurence in the morning - he is so encouraging, so calming and the best bass player around… meredith and gord are rehearsing outside… they are so talented….meeting so many cool artists in the hotel lobby, in the elevator, of course, at the festival site… meeting up with our very cool driver - what a great guy! He was always there to pick us up and take us to the stage, or to have a bite to eat - yay, for the all the volunteers!! You guys are the best… meeting Hat, Alyssa in person, finally meeting Philly in person too! Setting up on stage for our first workshop with M’Girl (amazing sound), Njava (what a presence), and Linda Tillery and the Cultural Herigate Choir (left me breathless…so fantastic)… so honoured to share the stage with a group of such amazing musicians and powerful voices… sweltering heat…but we make it! we all share our laments… audience is so great… it is an emotionally charged workshop… we all can’t wait for part two tomorrow… my drummer extraordinaire, elliot, is running from one stage to the next, he is a rock star, in demand everywhere, how does he keep all those rhthyms in his head? He is one of the most talented musicians I know and a great friend too… get to meet some great folks from the audience who are so gracious… I love sharing my culture with people and hearing their stories! relaxing before my next performance… our driver gives us some delicious, big, juicy BC cherries to savour… mouth watering!! time to set up for performance number two… elliot makes it in time…! We start our set, and once again, I am blown away by my band… each performance we do is unique… they always surprise me with new improvs… Gord does some amazing solos today…I am caught up in the moment captivated by the oud… meredith is on the violin and we love her! She creates sounds with her violin that transport you to another time, another place… the audience is super… I can’t tell you how much I love performing… I love hearing the dumbec, the the oud begins, the bass, the violin… breathing new life into these songs that are a part of my soul… seeing my mom in the audience, she can’t sit down… she is too excited, she smiles, eyes bright, clapping her hands the entire time… I love seeing her there, at my shows - connecting with her while I am on stage and she gives me that assuring look…my dad, loving every minute of it… I always think of my grandmother - what is she thinking right now as I am on stage singing these songs that she used to sing, but I am singing them here, for an audience made up of people who do not understand the language but it doesn’t matter because they love the music… they are so engaged, clapping, swaying to the beat… I love watching their reactions, responses to my songs…meeting them after the show… what a marvelous time… and we’ll do it all over again tomorrow….

We are in Salmon Arm!

What a gorgeous drive up here… the mountains, the river, the lakes… British Columbia’s natural beauty simply takes my breath away. All the way here, I was reflecting on my summers growing up, driving up to Osoyoos with my family. All of us kids in the back seat, so excited about spending two weeks at lake, swimming, making sand castles, picking peaches, apricots, eating lots and lots of cherries… that drive seemed endless!

Who would have thought that years later, I’d be back in the area, this time to perform at the Roots and Blues festival!?

We arrived in at a good hour, and so were able to relax by the lake for a bit and get settled at the hotel. We also stopped by the festival site and met my artist liason, Rita - she is so great, full of energy and enthusiasm! Infact, all the volunteers we’ve met so far have been so helpful. I can tell it is going to be a great weekend.
The weather is really hot and it is only going to get hotter - good for the vocal chords, my best friend assured me…
While checking in, we got to listen to this amazing talent on guitar performing on the main stage; there is so much amazing music to look forward to this weekend! And I can’t wait to perform tomorrow.

Better get some rest now…

We are in Tennessee right now and I am thoroughly enjoying the Southern culture once again… folks here are so friendly!
Whether I am grocery shopping, or at the post office, or something, people stop and say hello and share a moment with you… sometimes it catches me by surprise. While I love my hometown of Vancouver and all the people here, I don’t usually have such long converstions with complete strangers in the supermarket! I long for that kind of community though… when I am on a walk here in the West, and I smile and say hello to people I don’t know, sometimes, sometimes, there are people who just look at me funny… in the South, that never happens. You’ll always get a polite hello back and often a little conversation too.
Our neighbour Carla, originally from the North, makes me laugh… she has filled me in on the news about our area… it seems Reba (yes, that Reba) lives just up the road… huge beautiful piece of property. I loved it when Carla asked me for my opinion on how to build her fence. “You want to know what I think?” I asked her in amazement. I am a city girl through and through, and not really adept at building fences. Carla didn’t care though. And so I told her what I thought. Previously, she just lived in a tiny apartment; she loves it that she owns land now, even if her home is the only log cabin in the suburbs. There stands here beautiful, simple log cabin amidst a whole bunch of homes in the suburbs…
I am also learning new Southerisms… right quick… might could - yes, I actually heard someone say “I might could do that…” so does that mean she might be able to do that or she could do that? I wasn’t sure. The best thing is when I say “eh” after a comment, and people just stop a stare for a moment… or when the lady at the post office asked if another Canadian and I were speaking another language… well, maybe?
One favourite memory so far: sitting on the porch swing with my baby girl and watching the lightning bugs at dusk… now that I think about it, I better get back to doing that right quick…