MIHRAN’S NEW SINGLE DEBUTS AT ARPA FILM FESTIVAL
Armenian Reporter
October 25, 2008
Armenia
Los Angeles – Among the talented Armenian and non-Armenian artists
participating in this weekend’s 11th Annual Arpa International Film
Festival will be dancer-rapper-actor-fashion designer Mihran Kirakosian
(Arts & Culture, March 24, 2007).
The 23-year-old’s resume to date includes dancing with the biggest
acts in entertainment history, in all corners of the world, on the
biggest and most popular tours with the likes of Madonna, Ricky Martin,
Britney Spears, and Kylie Minogue.
Five years after joining Madonna as the youngest dancer to tour the
world with the pop icon, Mihran is focusing on his music. This weekend
he debuts the single from his upcoming album at the culmination of
the film festival.
Armenian Reporter: Tell us about your new album.
Mihran Kirakosian: I’ve collaborated with other artists before, but
this one is all about me and who I am. I wanted to create something
new, not imitate what others have done. I’ve taken what I’ve learned
from all the best and pushed myself to achieve something better. To do
anything less is just not worth it in such a competitive industry. I
am Armenian. However, I have grown up in America. So I’m bringing
together the essence of my experiences from all of the cultures I
consider being a part of through original music and lyrics. It’s the
real deal: mixing our culture’s sound and Armenian instruments with
today’s hip-hop music.
AR: Who did you collaborate with?
MK: Vache Ter-Yegishyan and I produced the music together, working
day and night to create something innovative. I’ve known Vache for a
very long time; he is a family friend. However, we had never worked
together before. I felt like we were too different and it would never
work out. Then I realized working with him was exactly what I needed. I
needed someone unique, creative, and different from myself to be able
to collaborate with and come up with something truly different.
AR: How long have you been working on this album?
MK: I started working on the album in January and finished recording
it in August. I did a few creative jobs on the side, but my main focus
this year was the album. Now we’re in the mixing process, which will
take about a month. My single "Armenia" will be out in two weeks,
and the release date for the album is January 24, 2009. It’ll be
available on iTunes, at record stores, and on my website. But I’m
not announcing the name of the album until sometime in December.
AR: What are your songs about?
MK: I talk about where I’m from. My music is all about dance,
performance, my life experiences. And it has a very positive vibe. It’s
about uniting everyone around the world, regardless of their religion
or nationality. I know artists say this all the time, but my music is
different from what’s out there. The "Armenia" single is going to be
an anthem for all Armenians. If you’re not Armenian, you will still
appreciate the song, the production, and especially the performance.
AR: What’s ahead?
MK: My first performance will be at the Egyptian Theatre for the 11th
Annual Arpa International Film Festival on Sunday, October 26. Three
days later, I’m flying to Armenia to shoot my first video for the
album. Since the title of the first single is "Armenia," I felt like
I should shoot the video in Armenia. I’m also scheduled to open the
show for the Second Annual Armenian Comedy Awards. This will take
place on December 14 at the Pasadena Civic.
AR: What were the jobs you did on the side while recording this album?
MK: I was fortunate to get a few acting gigs this year that didn’t
take up much of my time. However, right now my focus is all about my
music and nothing else. I have also been dancing in commercials and
movies. The excitement and drive to continue the career of a dancer
is not there anymore. I need to accomplish something innovative and
exciting to get the same drive back. I have always wanted to be an
artist, but I pursued dancing and really can’t explain why. If I
could go back in time and initially be an artist, I wouldn’t. I have
learned so much about the music business by touring with artists,
especially Madonna. I would have never been able to acquire this
knowledge and experience in any classroom. I got to experience it
first-hand, and there is nothing better than that.