Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Suren Oganessian
Staff Writer
When listening to Armenian music we usually find that certain elements are used; the same instruments, and similar melodies. But a duo composed of Haik Solar and Arni Rock, two musicians from Armenia, has taken a different approach to music. Absent are the duduk, the kamancha, and other Armenian staples. Instead they have imported the style of synth pop into their music.
Recently featured as Artist of the Month for October 2011 on Armenianpulse.com, the emerging duo have been making waves with their synthesized electronic music, a style that has only reached Armenia in recent years, but a style that has been and still is very popular in Europe today. Strictly musicians, the two hire female Armenian singers, such as Mashee and Narine, to provide the vocals to their songs, with lyrics both in English and Armenian. They have also produced music videos to the songs “Unwanted” and “Beautiful Sunday,” which are viewable on YouTube and other websites.
Haik Solar, whose real name is Hayk Harutunyan, began studying music at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, where he studied classical music and specialized in woodwind instruments. He soon developed a love for electronic music, which led him to take DJ classes at Moscow’s DJ Groove school. After he returned to Armenia, he wrote a song for the hip-hop group H.A.Y.Q. “Qami Pchi,” which was later named “Hit of the Year” at the Armenian Music Awards.
Arni Rock, whose real name is Vahe Akhperjanyan, has been a DJ since 2001. He gained notoriety on Armenian radio stations by mixing songs with his original compositions. Both Haik Solar and Arni Rock are also a part of the Apricota music project, which produces commercial hit music for the Armenian music industry.
They are an up and coming duo to look out for.