Serj Tankian, the visionary frontman for multi-platinum rock band System Of A Down, released his debut solo album "Elect The Dead" last October via his label, Serjical Strike/Reprise Records.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, to Armenian parents, Tankian is also known as an outspoken political activist who puts his money where his mouth is. In 2006, he and SOAD drummer John Dolmayan met with members of Congress in Washington, D.C., to campaign for support for the Armenian Genocide Recognition Bill. Tankian is also the co-founder, along with Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, of Axis Of Justice, a non-profit dedicated to uniting musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice.
We caught up with him recently to discuss his tour with FCC in promotion of "Elect The Dead", concept behind the album, his label signings and Axis of Justice among other things.
Hello Serj, firstly congratulations on being able to put out your solo work finally. How has the response been so far?
The response has been great! We were playing in front of fans who had only heard a few songs on the radio before the record came out and were excited to see their faces change, the surprises experienced etc. Now that the record's out, we have lots of singers in the crowd. We had a blast opening for the Foo Fighters in the UK too. Their fans were very warm and receptive to Elect the Dead as well.
Let's backtrack to when you first started writing material for "Elect The Dead". What made you want to put this out as a solo effort and how different is it from System Of A Down's work?
I've wanted to make a solo album for quite some time. When I was in the thick of it, I felt possessed. It was like swimming in the depths in that ocean of creativity. My mind was always tuned into the project, even during sleep. It's a nice form of exorcism, getting all of that stuff out emotionally and also channeling sounds from the universe. With making this album on my own versus with a full band, there are certain vulnerabilities and intimacies you can only express by yourself, when you're representing only yourself. And lyrically, I consider this record a lot more vulnerable and intimate than anything I've done with System. There are love songs, painful songs...very personal songs. And of course there are political songs.
You mentioned that if "Elect The Dead" had a message, it would be that civilisation is over. Which aspect of our society would you attribute our extinction to?
We're addicted to this concept of civilization - we can't imagine living outside of it because we've had it for 10,000 years, all of what we call history. But according to archaeologists, humanity has been on this planet for millions of years in indigenous form. Based on the current progression of overpopulation coupled with the accelerated rate of destruction of national resources, civilization is scientifically unsustainable. We know this thing is ending, and what are we doing about it? We're just making plans to slow down its death.
Let's talk about the 12 music videos. How much creative input did you have, and whose interpretations are the videos based on - yours or opinions of others?
There's a two-fold idea behind it. One is to multiply the artistic factor of the record, and the second reason is in today's music industry, with file sharing and downloading we have to offer something a lot more than just 12 songs on a record. We need to offer multiple ways of connecting with our fans, with the people that listen to our music. I always like involving really artsy friends, whether we're going to do artwork for the record, website stuff or videos. So I gave 12 different video director friends songs, one for each, and a small budget, and said "Here, go crazy. Do whatever art idea you've wanted to experiment with in the past. I don't want a treatment, I don't want to see it until it's done." It turned out to be some of the more amazing videos I've ever seen coupled with music.
What was your reaction to "people missing your point" in "Understanding Oil" [article here]? Would you have conveyed it in a different manner, e.g. in your lyrics?
It's not so much that people missed the point with "Understanding Oil," as much as very few people were putting themselves on the line at the time to speak openly and honestly without reiterating the slogans of the times. It was a time of reactionism in the U.S. It is only recently that we have been able to hear sober, truthful observations of what happened, and what were the consequences (Iraq, etc.). I still believe that had an international case (non unilateral) been built against Bin Laden and Al Qaeda, we would not even need to attack Afghanistan, let alone use the incidence as an excuse to attack Iraq.
Take us through the process of starting Serjical Strike Records. Was it difficult? What is one expertise you wish you had when you started the label?
I started SSR 7 or so years ago as an internet based label to introduce new, exciting, original music. I've learned a lot since then. We've released some 9 or so records, some indie, some major, worked with all major labels, and gained the much-necessary experience of launching a record in a way that retains the credibility of the artist. When I started the label, I wish I knew then what I know now - on all angles, marketing, promotion, publicity, etc.
What's the direction of your label currently? Do you intend to take it further to sign more acts soon?
We are non-genre specific. I sign bands that are 1) Original, 2) Great Live Performance, 3) Good people (otherwise it's not worth it). We are currently working heavily on my Elect the Dead release as well as the Fair to Midland release. We're very excited about both of these releases. We also intend on re-issuing and releasing Buckethead and Friends' "Enter the Chicken" early 2008.
Where do see yourself 5-10 years down the road, career-wise? Will you be fully involved in your work with Axis of Justice?
Hmm...5-10 years from now, I will be continuing to make music in many different forms and ways and expressing myself in all the ways that I currently do. Hopefully AOJ will be around as well, yes. For the current issues we're working on, check out our website. We generally take on many different issues such as Genocide awareness and recognition, labor rights, ecological issues, homeless and feeding philanthropy, we work with Amnesty International and a host of other NGOs on human rights and many other issues.
How's the vibe touring with the FCC and Fair To Midland? Did you ever miss touring with the other guys from System?
I'm having a really great time with my solo effort on tour. The guys in my backup band, the FCC, are amazing players and really great, modest individuals. We're having a blast together. It's a nice change, actually. We're also enjoying having FTM on tour with us. They are an inspiring band and a group of guys to be around. It's like one big happy family on tour.
What's next for you - releasing a novel or poetry book? What will be the literature be based on?
What's next right now is a lot of touring for Elect the Dead. After that, I have in mind to put out another solo record that will be more jazz/orchestral. Lots of powerful heavy songs without the heavy instruments. A novel one day maybe, when I can isolate myself away from music. [IM]
Links:
http://www.myspace.com/serjtankian
http://www.serjtankian.com/
http://www.axisofjustice.org/
http://www.serjicalstrike.com/
Labels: Interview, Serj Tankian, System of a Down
Posted by Jingying @ 11:13 PM
