Interview by Carlos Jose BourdjianAzad-Hye Special
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He is the one who brought life again to big Armenian hits like ?Yerevani Kishernerum? (Yerevan Nights), ?Yerchangoutyan Artsunknere? (Tears of Happiness), ?Hayi Achker? (Armenian?s Eyes), ?Dzaghigners um nvirem? (To whom I dedicate my flowers) many other oldies (see more songs in our Music Section). He rearranged these classical songs keeping the old flavor and with his ?Romance? and ?Mi Khoskov? (In One Word) albums he succeeded to deliver the message of Love to every family in Armenia and in Diaspora as well.
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Winner of many awards including Best Male Singer in National Armenian Music Awards for two times and our representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, who lately launched his ?Anytime You Need? tour in Syria with two concerts in Aleppo and another one in Damascus.
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My guest is our King of Romance Hayk Hakopian or simply Hayko. We had a conversation during his visit in Aleppo.
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After the long awaited concerts in Aleppo, are you amazed or disappointed?
I guess amazed will be my answer. I didn?t expect to find such a big number of Armenians in Aleppo and it amazes me that they listen to good quality music, they have a good taste. I had been to Aleppo before. After releasing my first album ?Romance? I was told by many tourists that the album had a good reputation in Aleppo and people there loved my songs. There were always talks for having concerts in Aleppo and I am glad that I am finally here after a long time.
I guess amazed will be my answer. I didn?t expect to find such a big number of Armenians in Aleppo and it amazes me that they listen to good quality music, they have a good taste. I had been to Aleppo before. After releasing my first album ?Romance? I was told by many tourists that the album had a good reputation in Aleppo and people there loved my songs. There were always talks for having concerts in Aleppo and I am glad that I am finally here after a long time.
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Most artists dream of the day when the audience will sing live with them. Did Hayko?s dream come true?
During my concerts in Yerevan people always repeat after me and it gives me a good feeling, but here in Aleppo I was surprised. People were not only singing with me, they asked for songs which were not included in the repertoire but they already knew them by heart and I felt good. So honestly, yes my dream came true.
During my concerts in Yerevan people always repeat after me and it gives me a good feeling, but here in Aleppo I was surprised. People were not only singing with me, they asked for songs which were not included in the repertoire but they already knew them by heart and I felt good. So honestly, yes my dream came true.
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If we step back in time to your early performances, would that be in 1997 when you participated in Ayo Song festival with the song ?Hokus Yerke? (Song of my soul) written by you, or maybe there were earlier projects such as your appearance with the group ?Nor Hayer? (New Armenians)?
?Nor Hayer? was before 1997. I was their music producer and used to write music for them. My first performance on stage was in 1995 during the Asup Song Contest with the song ?Tu im ararich? (You are my creator). Then there were Ayo festivals where I gained wider experience as songwriter and performer.
?Nor Hayer? was before 1997. I was their music producer and used to write music for them. My first performance on stage was in 1995 during the Asup Song Contest with the song ?Tu im ararich? (You are my creator). Then there were Ayo festivals where I gained wider experience as songwriter and performer.
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Hayko in the recent concert in Aleppo, 2007 |
Yes, I gave her permission to perform it anytime. Actually the song was included in my last concert program in Yerevan, October 2006, where I played it on keyboards and performed it live without the band participation.
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In one of the Ayo festivals you performed ?Im Poqrig? (My Baby) with Dikran Bedrossian. Did your cooperation and friendship with Dikran begin after that?
Dikran is a friend for a long time, he is one of the best in his profession. Besides performing as a duet, we had also other forms of cooperation. Dikran was the sound engineer in my last album and I worked in the arrangements of his album and wrote two songs for him, ?Um? (To whom) and ?Mnam haved? (Let me stay forever). Now we are working on a new song to be included in his second album.
Dikran is a friend for a long time, he is one of the best in his profession. Besides performing as a duet, we had also other forms of cooperation. Dikran was the sound engineer in my last album and I worked in the arrangements of his album and wrote two songs for him, ?Um? (To whom) and ?Mnam haved? (Let me stay forever). Now we are working on a new song to be included in his second album.
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We may put your early works in sequence: ?Hokus Yerke?, ?Im Poqrig?, ?Im Ser? (My Love) and ?Aysor? (Today), reaching to the albums ?Romance?, ?Norits? (Again), ?Live? and ?Mi Khoskov?…
(Interrupting) Actually the ones that were big hits among my old songs were ?Im Poqrig? and ?Aysor?. The later had a video clip so it was easier for people to love it.
(Interrupting) Actually the ones that were big hits among my old songs were ?Im Poqrig? and ?Aysor?. The later had a video clip so it was easier for people to love it.
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Until the release of your first album there were other singles like ?Kez Hamar? (For You) from the album Ida & Friends and ?Caruso? From Grisha & Friends project. Do you intend to include all these songs in a best of collection album?
I don?t think so, because all the songs you mentioned are part of different projects that I?ve done before, each one at its time and better to leave them like that, related to their specific projects. I consider the only songs that belong to me are those included in my albums.
I don?t think so, because all the songs you mentioned are part of different projects that I?ve done before, each one at its time and better to leave them like that, related to their specific projects. I consider the only songs that belong to me are those included in my albums.
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And what about the duets? You have performed with Shushan Bedrossian (several times), with Lola Khumniants, Hasmig Garabedian (during the New Year?s Eve programs) and lately with Christine Pepelian. Do you have any duet album project? in your mind or maybe something similar to what international stars do after years of success, when they release an album under the common title ?The Early Years?, which usually includes remaking of old hits?
Many years ago when Shushan and I decided to sing duets, the music industry was not as strong as today. There were no record companies or ?Top 10? programs on different TV channels. So we decided only to record them and lately to shoot video clips. Now I stand a bit away from duets because all Armenian stars are singing duets these days, but it is possible to reconsider the issue in future, why not?
Many years ago when Shushan and I decided to sing duets, the music industry was not as strong as today. There were no record companies or ?Top 10? programs on different TV channels. So we decided only to record them and lately to shoot video clips. Now I stand a bit away from duets because all Armenian stars are singing duets these days, but it is possible to reconsider the issue in future, why not?
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Regarding the last point you?ve mentioned, I guess my romance albums can be considered something like that.
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Leaving for the Eurovision 2007 contest. |
I can say that now I?m classified as an international artist. In U.S.A, Europe and all parts of the world my name is registered as an Armenian and International singer and I?m proud of that. After Eurovision I got invitations from different countries. As a musician I?m not saying that I was not satisfied before. I was and always will be one of my country?s stars, but now the circle has become wider. As a singer, Eurovision was a very risky step to take, because if I failed then it will be a setback.
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But usually participants to this contest are rather amateurs than professionals? Did you have any fears as professional singer?
This was exactly what I was talking about. I already had my reputation in my country and in case of failure it will be gone forever. Thanks God for having friends who helped me represent Armenia in an appropriate way.
This was exactly what I was talking about. I already had my reputation in my country and in case of failure it will be gone forever. Thanks God for having friends who helped me represent Armenia in an appropriate way.
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Last year you were among the delegation that accompanied Andre in Eurovision. Did the whole idea of your participation begin at that time?
No, I was there together with other friends only to encourage our representative, especially it was the first time Armenia was participating in such a big event. Then the management of the Armenian National TV proposed my name for the year 2007. At the beginning I was a little confused, and then I thought that such opportunity comes once in a lifetime. So I decided to enter the Armenian contest to be the winner at the end.
No, I was there together with other friends only to encourage our representative, especially it was the first time Armenia was participating in such a big event. Then the management of the Armenian National TV proposed my name for the year 2007. At the beginning I was a little confused, and then I thought that such opportunity comes once in a lifetime. So I decided to enter the Armenian contest to be the winner at the end.
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Which one was the first to grow inside you, the singer or the composer?
As a musician I was an arranger in the first place and I used to play in different bands. At that time my dream was to become a jazz pianist, not a singer. But everything changed. I started to sing in some occasions and noticed that I already had few fans who encouraged me. So I worked on my talent with some professional help until I became what I am today. I?m happy when people introduce me as a singer. But on the other hand composing and arranging are my daily occupation. My private studio will be ready in few months, where besides recording, I am planning to get involved in other projects as well.
As a musician I was an arranger in the first place and I used to play in different bands. At that time my dream was to become a jazz pianist, not a singer. But everything changed. I started to sing in some occasions and noticed that I already had few fans who encouraged me. So I worked on my talent with some professional help until I became what I am today. I?m happy when people introduce me as a singer. But on the other hand composing and arranging are my daily occupation. My private studio will be ready in few months, where besides recording, I am planning to get involved in other projects as well.
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At the Europvision Contest 2007 |
To me Top 10 of Rabiz was a big experience because it helped me to grow 10 steps forward and become well known as an arranger. I started the project with Grisha Aghakhanian; we did five albums and another one called Grisha & Friends. Hopefully Grisha will continue the project by himself because originally it belonged to him and I was the producer besides being an arranger as well.
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You have written songs to other stars like Emmy, Hasmig Garabedian, Sirusho, Dikran Bedrossian and others. Were there times where you wanted to perform the same song you wrote for somebody else or you wished to cancel it?
Believe me there are almost 50 songs in my office on the shelf, left like that finished but not to be performed by me or somebody else. In Armenia I don?t write songs for others or in one word I don?t sell my songs. Usually people want to buy my songs but I don?t do that. The names you have mentioned are all my friends. I love them that?s why I dedicate them my songs because at the end each one performs it with her/his style and I feel honored when they do. Now I am working on a song especially for Shushan Bedrossian and it will be unique in its style.
Believe me there are almost 50 songs in my office on the shelf, left like that finished but not to be performed by me or somebody else. In Armenia I don?t write songs for others or in one word I don?t sell my songs. Usually people want to buy my songs but I don?t do that. The names you have mentioned are all my friends. I love them that?s why I dedicate them my songs because at the end each one performs it with her/his style and I feel honored when they do. Now I am working on a song especially for Shushan Bedrossian and it will be unique in its style.
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Besides the albums ?Romance? and ?Mi Khoskov? you are the author of most of your songs. In your second album ?Norits? (Again) there was a song called ?Kez chem morana? (I?ll never forget you) written by Arsen Krikorian. Is it possible that in the future you perform works of other Armenian composers as well?
?Kez chem morana? was the only Armenian song not written by myself and I will be grateful to choose songs with such good quality if I find them or be presented to me. But I have performed other songs like ?Hishum es? (Do you remember?) and ?Yed nayir u des? (Look back and see), which were the Armenian versions of ?Qui sierra? by Alejandro Fernandez and ?Corazon Partio? by Alejandro Sanz, respectively.
?Kez chem morana? was the only Armenian song not written by myself and I will be grateful to choose songs with such good quality if I find them or be presented to me. But I have performed other songs like ?Hishum es? (Do you remember?) and ?Yed nayir u des? (Look back and see), which were the Armenian versions of ?Qui sierra? by Alejandro Fernandez and ?Corazon Partio? by Alejandro Sanz, respectively.
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Singing “Yeraz im yergir” with Shushan Bedrossian |
Yes, it was my first time and a great experience. Writing for movies is different because music in the film comes after the picture. I mean it is background and not basic, but in the mean time its presence should be notable and touching. After both cast and crew were chosen, Hrach suggested that I write the music and I agreed. I tried to keep harmony between my music and the sequence of actions that Hrach brought, and I guess both of us made it well.
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In general all songs can be remixed except few. “Yerevani Kishernerum” (Yerevan Nights) got criticized after you remixed it. In this case do remixes help songs to live longer, especially for young generations that hardly listen to our classics today, or is it just a way to create a dancing atmosphere in clubs?
Remix versions usually are done to be played in dancing clubs with special techno or rhythm sound effects. The author of the song, Ruben Hakhverdian, together with other composers didn?t understand this concept and thought that I ruined the song, which was not the case. Today there are many jazz classics in remixed versions; I?m not saying that all are done very well, as remixing is not an art in itself rather it became popular only recently. I did lots of remixed cover songs but after the big success of the remixed ?Yerevani Kishernerum? people began to look for the original version of it, not performed by myself but by the original author and singer Ruben Hakhverdian. To me this was a victory, and those involved should understand and appreciate it.
Remix versions usually are done to be played in dancing clubs with special techno or rhythm sound effects. The author of the song, Ruben Hakhverdian, together with other composers didn?t understand this concept and thought that I ruined the song, which was not the case. Today there are many jazz classics in remixed versions; I?m not saying that all are done very well, as remixing is not an art in itself rather it became popular only recently. I did lots of remixed cover songs but after the big success of the remixed ?Yerevani Kishernerum? people began to look for the original version of it, not performed by myself but by the original author and singer Ruben Hakhverdian. To me this was a victory, and those involved should understand and appreciate it.
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From left to right: Hrach Keshishian, Carlos Jose Bourdjian and Hayko. |
I don?t know what to say. I guess many artists pull out their nominations after seeing my name there, and I?m not guilty if the jury after their voting had chosen me a winner. I received the prize with honor. There were many gossips later but I didn?t pay attention, especially that I was awarded with People?s Artist title by President Robert Kocharian lately. I was surprised somehow because usually middle aged people bear this title, but we are living a new century and some concepts are changing. The same happened to Shushan Bedrossian and I?m happy for her because she earned this title. How wonderful is to be rewarded when you are still young.
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?You are one of the few who lived the evolution of Armenian Music for the last 15 years. What do you think about it?
All I can see is big disarray. There are lots of stars, lots of groups and lots of video clips everyday. It?s like when you sieve out the soil, the sand will vanish but the pebbles will remain. The Armenian Show business is in this stage and I?m waiting for the best to appear among this mess.
All I can see is big disarray. There are lots of stars, lots of groups and lots of video clips everyday. It?s like when you sieve out the soil, the sand will vanish but the pebbles will remain. The Armenian Show business is in this stage and I?m waiting for the best to appear among this mess.
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Any new names worth to be mentioned?
Lately I was one of the juries in the ?Endza? song contest. I was amazed with some young talents in the new generation who will replace us later, and I predict a bright future for them.
Lately I was one of the juries in the ?Endza? song contest. I was amazed with some young talents in the new generation who will replace us later, and I predict a bright future for them.
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You have produced both Hasmig Garabedian?s ?Antsrev? (Rain) and Dikran Bedrossian?s ?Um? (To whom) albums. Are you producing any projects lately?
Both Hasmig and Dikran are my friends and I enjoyed producing their albums. But if I decided to work as a producer I prefer to deal with unknown artists on what is called star search or star-making projects, to teach and help them properly.
Both Hasmig and Dikran are my friends and I enjoyed producing their albums. But if I decided to work as a producer I prefer to deal with unknown artists on what is called star search or star-making projects, to teach and help them properly.
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Hayko's CDs |
1- Simple and honest.
2- Less talkative and neutral.
3- Selfish and arrogant.
How do you comment on these results?
I respect these three opinions which all speak about me. Sometimes I don?t feel myself comfortable in certain atmospheres so I try to stay away and even sometimes I go too far and isolate myself from others if I find it too difficult to deal with. So people get this impression about me. Usually I don?t like to make relationships with everybody, this is my nature. I like to go out with friends I associate with and go to places I want. After all I?m a normal person like anybody else and it seems it would be fake if I were nice and kind to all.
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?What are your future plans?
As I mentioned before, after Eurovision I got invitations from different countries. So I?m planning to tour the world with my live band. I might release couple of singles till the end of the year, nothing more for year 2007.
As I mentioned before, after Eurovision I got invitations from different countries. So I?m planning to tour the world with my live band. I might release couple of singles till the end of the year, nothing more for year 2007.
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On behalf of Azad-Hye we wish you all the best. May all your plans be fulfilled.
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Source of photos: Private collection of Carlos Jose Bourdjian, Armenian National TV and? Hayko?s website.
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Amazing article!
I really admire the way Carlos Jose Bourdjian takes interviews from artists.
The one with Hayko was notably honest and sincere. While reading it I could feel myself involved in the questioning.
Hayako's concerts were always full of emotion and energy. Recently he has had his first concert in Moscow. My congratulatins!
Dear Carlos, I wish you good luck and prosperous work.
Realmente estoy muy emocionada de haber conocido a Carlos Jos? en el a?o 2002 en Armenia.
Una persona de una sensibilidad increible que se ve reflejada en cada una de sus notas, desde la lejana Am?rica del Sur vayan mis felicitaciones a Carlos y mis deseos de mayores ?xitos en su vida profesional y personal.
Cari?os
Isabel Attarian