Very Interesting -The new born young star of the Armenian music Silva Hakobyan is one of the 20 semifinalists selected for BBC’s hunt for the world best young band/artists. How comes?
Although it will not pass omit to mention that Silva’s song “Gisher” has become the new anthem of Armenia, as I had posted about the tradition of changing anthems. Well, the girl has a good voice, much better than that of the most Armenian “Pop stars”, but the fact of being nominated itself is rather interesting, because her song is a typical melody that we are used to hear right from the point when the Armenian new pop music came into existence. I know she has had several failures as well as successes during competitions, also that her family members are musicians and that they help her a lot in her career making, also having Aram Avagyan as her producer (not a big deal though), well, let’s see what she will end up with.
So, what is needed to become famous? – An ordinary song and such a video – In any case, wish her success. Hope later she will not be obsessed with rabizmania.
Life around me 
November 26, 2006 at 1:01 pm |
I tried her MySpaces page, but all I got was some cheesy stuttering electronic keyboard into and no vocals. Probably my connection and I’ll try later, but I tried searching for the track on Google and while I found some sites that had it, half either didn’t load while the rest wouldn’t let me download. Any idea where I can find this song to check out short of hanging out nr kiosks and khorovadz stands in Yerevan?
November 26, 2006 at 7:56 pm |
As I said her song is the most popular nowadays and it’s played in every corner of Yerevan, so if you even hear a common mellow melody on the cell phone rings that’s it, can’t be otherwise. Ooooh, how predictive we are!!! Tired of it!!
And yeah, probably it’s bad internet because some pages on Google search didn’t open for me as well, or they don’t exist anymore, don’t know. Can’t download anything with this connection.
November 28, 2006 at 7:48 am |
Ok, so I’ve just listened to the Silva track via the bbc web site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/114_thenominees/page3.shtml
What to say?
It’s very ordinary and not even exciting. Can’t imagine anybody going crazy on the dance floor to this one. Tarkan is more genuine and emotional than this.
On that, typical copycat of Greek, Turkish, or Arabic pop tunes, but nowhere near as good. Her voice isn’t anything memorable and she can’t sing in English properly.
Low quality eastern pop, I guess.
Can only think of one Next Big Thing, and that’s you Zara. Truly amazing voice, and you write your own material that you inject your emotion and personality into.
If anyone out there is involved in the music business in Armenia, it’s in your interest to meet up with Zara now. One day I know she’ll be big because she’s an orginal and very genuine talent.
And she’s waiting here for her first chance. Grab the opportunity now while it exists because sooner or later you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t.
Amazing for me to hear really mediocre stuff like Silva when I’ve heard what Zara can do and know it can succeed in the international let alone local music scene.
November 28, 2006 at 10:36 am |
[…] On that, Zarchka over at Life Around Me, a very talented and exceptional singer and songwriter in her own right, puts the Armenian entry into perspective. Well, the girl has a good voice, much better than that of the most Armenian “Pop stars”, but the fact of being nominated itself is rather interesting, because her song is a typical melody that we are used to hear right from the point when the Armenian new pop music came into existence. I know she has had several failures as well as successes during competitions, also that her family members are musicians and that they help her a lot in her career making, also having Aram Avagyan as her producer (not a big deal though), well, let’s see what she will end up with. […]
November 28, 2006 at 2:08 pm |
You flattered me enough, Onnik 😉
November 28, 2006 at 3:19 pm |
Nah, not nearly enough. Just saying it how it is in the hope that this rot that defines the music scene in Armenia stops sooner rather than later — and for all our sakes.
November 29, 2006 at 7:43 pm |
She’ll hate me for saying this and even more so for doing it on her blog, but I heard some more of Zara’s compositions today and wow, they’re fantastic.
She has an excellent voice to boot. So now I’m even surer in standing by what I wrote above.
Hopefully, she’ll not be too shy to post some news if it comes to fruition in the near future. Ok, now I realize I’m in trouble, but vochinch… 😉
November 30, 2006 at 10:44 am |
So she did it,,, Silva is among the best 7 participants. Impressed!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6191818.stm
November 30, 2006 at 10:57 am |
Not sure how or why, I have to say, but anyway. Perhaps because the entries were mainly so bad? Or the voting campaign orchestrated in Armenia and the Diaspora? Who knows? Trouble is, we never might — unless, of course she wins the competition which can only fill me with despair regarding the state of such competitions instead.
Still, one thing’s for sure. If singers like Silva can make it into the national and international limelight, sure as hell you can too. Contemporary Armenian music sucks as a whole regardless of entries into competitions such as this. You just have to watch and listen to a hundred cloned music videos on Armenian TV to understand that.
There are one or two rare exceptions, of course, but still nothing to rave about.
November 30, 2006 at 11:21 am |
Man, something really isn’t right. As of posting my blog entry yesterday, Silva had 5.4 percent of the votes. A day later, after a campaign which involved TV adverts in the Republic, to get Armenians to vote for her just because of her ethnicity, her share miraculously increases to 17.1 percent.
Sorry, I just don’t believe that’s normal. Last time I remember something like that happening was when the Referendum to amend the Constitution happened last year. Empty polling stations across the country later turned into a record voter turnout despite all logic suggesting the opposite.
November 30, 2006 at 5:59 pm |
Well, still strange how that happened, but probably better not to bring her down with our prophecies and wish her luck in Britain. Though I will rather undervalue that Big Thing in the first place.
December 7, 2006 at 11:39 am |
Well I have read about Silva on armenianmusiccenter.com. There is much information there about her, even you can buy her track there. As far as I I understood Silva was the winner. She is the firs. My congratulations to her.
December 7, 2006 at 6:38 pm |
Hmmm, indeed, Armenian Music Center is implying, but not directly reporting, that Silva is the winner. Well, actually they don’t seem to sure what they’re announcing although the title of “Winner” is very misleading.
Basically, nothing has been announced by the BBC or is available to that effect on The Next Big Thing web site. Moreover, and perhaps more importantly, the final hasn’t even taken place yet.
It is scheduled for this Saturday so the information on Armenian Music Center is not only incorrect, but it is misleading its readers.
Last time I looked it was 7 December so the Armenian Music Center has no right to imply or announce anything for now at least.
December 7, 2006 at 7:33 pm |
Right, and I was looking through the sites and couldn’t find anything on that. Seemed strange to me. So what’s going on, ha? Well, let’s see.
December 7, 2006 at 9:37 pm |
Still, at least Silva has the guts to let her voice be heard and actually produces music. Has to be said that there are many here who decry the situation with the music industry in Armenia, but don’t do anything to change it. I’ve even heard of one singer here who constantly complains, has real potential, but always finds some excuse to stop herself from going forwards.
Typical, and just another reason why it’s Silva and everyone else who gets somewhere while she doesn’t. Yes, the music industry sucks here, but that’s not the only reason why it is as it is. Too many singers expect instant stardom but are not willing to work for it. They don’t listen to advice, and they inadvertently do everything they can to prevent people from ever hearing them — even those people who want to help.
Go figure.
December 9, 2006 at 11:18 pm |
Hey People.
dont be jelous of Silva and you better shut your crazy and dirthy mounths then gossip about her.
actually i understand you, you get very jelous.
She is the best.
December 10, 2006 at 4:57 pm |
Not jealous, just stating our stand points, trith is bitter?
December 11, 2006 at 7:28 am |
Armenia is proud of you!Do not pay attention to the jelous people.You are really number one!Good for you and thank you a lot!We can listen to your songs again and again and never get tired.You have a great talant!Thank you!
CONGRATULATIONS!
December 11, 2006 at 7:37 am |
Silva Hakobian !Fantastic singer!Divine voice!We are so proud of you.Thank you.Now you are famous all over the world.Armenians DO NOT GOSSIP.Let’s congratulate!
January 10, 2007 at 6:29 pm |
the song is not the best , but it is really good
Onnik sorry, but it seems you dont know anything about music, that song is a mixture of R&B,tango and eastern(mainly indian) tunes.
“turkish, arabic,greek”?????????????????????????
January 12, 2007 at 1:36 pm |
Sure, starts off with a tango and then it sounds pretty eastern. Arabic, Turkish Greek — Indian. There are overlaps in all. Interestingly, Armenian contemporary music favours borrowing from Greek and Turkish although I know many are concerned about the influence of Persian now.
Anyway, sorry I didn’t mention the Tango beginning, but then again, this is a comments page and not an article. Anyway, Silva seemed like a normal girl when she was on TV the other day, but her music is really nothing special. Let’s just hope that the corrupt government-connected music industry here doesn’t destroy her like it has many others.
March 17, 2007 at 10:11 am |
how old are Silva?
March 17, 2007 at 11:01 am |
She’s 17 If I’m not mistaken.
April 24, 2007 at 1:11 am |
she’s a girl with a talent. who are U??
April 24, 2007 at 8:16 am |
Kolya, was your comment for me? If so, I don’t argue. She’s cute and sings well. What regards me, I am many sided talented, don’t doubt it, Well, you wouldn’t if you heard me singing 😉 Hope you all will have a chance some day!! 😉
August 9, 2007 at 9:21 pm |
Priwet Solva jan
Asem vor inch gordzi el linem, erb lsumem qo ergeric voreve mek@ miangamic toxumem gordzs u vayelumem ergt.
Dzaynid masin xosq chunem, bayc enqan dzaynd indz tenc chi stipum inchqan DU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 9, 2007 at 9:22 pm |
VAYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Kneressss )))))))))))))
Solva che SILVA )))))))))))))))))))))
PATASXANI XNDRUMEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 9, 2007 at 9:23 pm |
cocaina56@mail.ru
Spasem ?????????
) ) )
August 10, 2007 at 8:30 am |
Tiko jan, mi poqr skhalvel es, es Silvayid site chi, u cavum em vor inqe qez chi pataskhani 😉
November 6, 2007 at 6:06 pm |
This girls talents has not yet been fully discovered . the right producer and arranger
along with smart marketing will catapult her to stardom.
She has the magic ingredient in her voice a delivery if only it’s developed to it’s potential .
She has soul in her voice !
Vartan Michel
December 17, 2007 at 8:58 am |
Yes!, she has soul in her voice, Silva, please write to my mail 🙂 hehe:)
April 16, 2008 at 2:50 am |
Hi, I just found this site and I would like to say if Zarchka your a singer I would love to hear your music.
Second I want to say that I came to America at the age of 8 from Yerevan that was 20 years ago and I can say that I have become completly Americanized I have maybe one Armenian CD that I nver listen to and sad to say most of my friends have lost their Armenian qualities. I have also realized that it has become more difficult for me to speak Armenian we speak mainly English at home I try to speak Armenian with my kids. My husband is also Americanized and doesn’t even look Armenian at all and has no Armenian qualities His famility they are from Lebenon and they don’t speak Armenian either.. In other words I have disconnected from my Armenian Society. This is not something I am happy about. I was looking through Youtube and I stubbled upon Silvas music and when I heard her songs I got chills no matter how she got famous the fact is that she has a beutifull voice. I started to tear up she reminded me where I came from and took me back to my childhood. Because of her music I will be trying to attend Armenian concerts and look into the Armenian music industry for great singers. I am even thinking about living in Armenia. Tomorrow I am going to go and buy her CD. She is wonderfull.
ps: I am not that fond of her I like song but her other songs are WOW !
April 16, 2008 at 6:46 am |
Hi Odeta!
Tastes differ. However, when you go for the Silva CD, please, buy Anush & Inga Arshakyan’s CD as well, because that is the real modern ethnic music with strong vocals, which should remind you of your roots and keep you close to them. What Silva sings is not really Armenian, if only the lyrics. It’s another mediocre pop music and pop singer, who actually very recently proved on the live music show-competition that she cannot really sing. I thought she had a good voice before this show, but now I’m totally of another opinion. Even my grandma would sound wonderful on the recorded cds! To sing live and know how to move on the stage is a real challenge for almost all of those mediocre Armenian pop singers!
April 16, 2008 at 7:42 am |
Zarchka I can understand what you are trying to say but we just have to agree to disagree on this one I think Silva has a phenomenal voice and I checked out her live performances on Youtube they sounded great. I also checked out Anush & Inga they have a great voice as well and I am glad that people are making those kids of songs. kind of takes me back to the villages.
iLike you said tastes differ and I am more into pop and dance.
Check out Lusine Davidian she’s also a wonderful singer and has very rich voice.
January 8, 2009 at 8:43 pm |
silva and her songs are excellent.specially the song of Gisher.shnorhagalem silva