Listen on Dublab:
https://www.dublab.com/shows/silk-road-secret-agents

Silk Road Secret Agents is Discotchari’s monthly debriefing of music that highlights the fusion of musical movements around the world and throughout the ages with ethnic identities rooted in the diverse Silk Road region. We also dive deep into the history of artists whose life stories and music evoke dramatic cinema fit for Tarantino, Kiarostami, Wong Kar-Wai, Youssef Chahine and other legendary directors. These artists often times relied on their musical talent to navigate complex social structures, unite people from different backgrounds, and preserve their ethnic roots by reimagining them in new forms: inspiring the name “Silk Road Secret Agents”.
The basis of the Silk Road’s influence was local demand and appreciation for foreign supply of spices, materials, knowledge and all other tangible forms of culture. Alongside our radio show, we bring these values into the real world by playing and promoting live events featuring local talent who collectively embody the second metaphor of “Silk Road Secret Agents”: music selectors and artists acting as ambassadors and creators of international dance and roots music that is embedded with traditions catering to multinational audiences commonly found in cities with rich social fabric.

Dublab Radio Show, Guest Mixes, & Live Sets

armenian

One day when “homard” project, then completed, is showcased in a museum of some sort, we’ll put on serious faces to tell visitors various stories about the whole process, and all those stories are almost bound to start from the very beginning – a small white room in a house on Hovsep Arghutyan street, Arabkir district, Yerevan, Armenia. Those people will listen to our stories and go “Where did you say? Romania? Albania?” And in order to avoid having to pull even more serious faces to tell them about Armenia, we have asked @luciakagramanyan to collect the Armenian Music Anthology, as we were convinced she would be the best at it. Now, every time we want to tell somebody about Armenia, we can suggest that they listen to this mix, in which we have slowly and carefully collected a very small part of the great legacy we have inherited, trying to look at it through the prism of history.

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Tigran Hamasyan, Yerevan State Chamber Choir, Harutyun Topikyan - Ankanim Araji Qo (Mesrop Mashtots)
Isabel Bayrakdarian - Zandjareli Looso Mayr (Movses Khorenatsi)
Tagharan Ensemble - Pharaoh With His Chariots (Stepanos Syunetsi)
Vahagn Stamboltsyan - O Mystery Deep (Khatchatur Taronatsi) 
unknown artist - Havun Havun (Grigor Narekatsi)
Geghard Vocal Ensemble - Aravot Luso - (Nerses Shnorhali)
Karine Hovhanessian - Armenian Dance From Trapizon
Armenak Der-Aprahamian - Tamam Ashkharh (Sayat Nova) 
Vagharshak Sahakian - Blbouli Hid (Sayat Nova) 
Papin Pogosyan- Yis Kou Ghimetn (Sayat Nova)
Loosig Kochian - Yar Shvaral em 
Maro Nalbandian - Ekan, ktanin 
Ashot Gasparyants - Piece For Tar
Yerevan State Chamber Choir - Hop Gyulizar (areangement by Barsegh Kanachyan)
Loosig Kochian & State Ensemble of Song and Dance after Tatul Altunyan - Yar kuzem (Ashoug Avasi) 
State Ensemble of Song and Dance after Tatul Altunyan - Tamzara 
Saro Danielian - Wedding dance of Shirak
State Ensemble of Song and Dance after Tatul Altunyan - Ghapama
Shara Talyan - Pagh Aghbuyri Mot
Hayrik Muradyan - Tagvor, inch pirim
Hayrik Muradyan - Zarnir Vordyak
State National Academic Choir of Armenia - Alagyaz Yev Kezi Mernim (Kara-Mourza)
unknown artist - Indz Mi Khndrir (Grikor Mirzaian Suni)
Komitas Quartet - Keler-Tsoler (Komitas)
Komitas (Soghomon Soghomonian) - Mokats Mirza
Tatevik Sazandaryan- Blbul em (Karo Tonikyan) 
Varduhi Khachatryan- Yerevan Nights (Aleksandr Dolukhanyan)
Şahan Arzruni - Yet ou araj (Nikoghayos Tigranyan)
Avet Terteyran- Fire Ring Opera /fragment/
Melania Abovian - Nanik Naner
USSR State Radio Symphony Orchestra - Gayane's Dance from Gayane ballet (Aram Khachaturian)
Armenian TV & Radio Orchestra - The Sea (cond. Melik Mavisakalian)
Vyacheslav Manucharyan - Garni (Martin Vardazaryan)
Raisa Mkrtchyan - The Autumn Words (Robert Amirkhanyan)
Artashes Kartalyan Trio - Toccata
Adiss Harmandian - Lucie
John Berberian And The Rock East Ensemble - Tranquility 6/8
State Jazz Orchestra of Armenia - Yerevan Melody (Konstantin Orbelyan)
Elvina Makaryan - Ruins
Armenian Navy Band - Life Without Wife
Aram Asatryan - Ani
The Bambir - Arev E Elel
The Deenjes - In the blue
Tigran Hamasyan - The Dream Voyager
Khoum - E
Tigran Hamasyan - Rays of Light

-
instagram.com/luciaelhuron
fb.me/rambalkoshe.yvn
instagram.com/rambal.koshe
--

illustration by: Khoren Matevosyan

"homard" project

Lucia Kagramanyan - "Armenian Music Anthology" for RAMBALKOSHE

Supporting Palestinian Radio Alhara Armenian artists stand in solidarity with 4 hours of music and Armenian poetry in English translation in between the sets.

Lucia Kagramanyan
Lara Sarkissian
Mikkkkro
Hov (live)

Curated by Lucia Kagramanyan

Lucia Kagramanyan - Radio Alhara Sonic Liberation Front

An hour long trip through Armenian rock from its very soviet (and not only) roots to nowadays Armenian rock scene: psychedelic, progressive, pop and classic.

Tracklist:

Երազողները (The Dreamers) - Lorik
Երազողները (The Dreamers) - Dream with us
Arakyalner - Requiem part III
Ayas - Dareri sahmanagitz
Arthur Meschian - Epitaph
Vostan Hayots - Qashvank
Jag Bambir - Death of Kikos
John Berberian  - Flying Hyde
Harut Pambukchyan - Tarorinak Mard Ararac
Elvina Makaryan - Averak
Lav Eli - Xoteri kyanqic
The Bambir - Gzhi Harsaniq
Rozen Tal - The Knife
Dogma - Limbo
Oaksenham - Time Out
The Bambir - The Witching Hour
Side Project - Երազ (Yeraz)
High - Ory Tari (Martin Shahbazyan)
Clocker - Maybe
Ruben Hakhverdyan - Mer siro ashun

NTS radio - Panorama Yerevan - Armenian Rock Special 10th of July

support the artist: https://soundcloud.com/enelramm
crews/projekts: 
https://soundcloud.com/dyscotheque
https://soundcloud.com/nice4what
https://www.facebook.com/DRIVEsportlichschnittigelegant/

Warme Sonnenstrahlen finden ihren Weg durch die halb zugezogenen Gardinen. Das fühlt sich gut an. Der pelzige Geschmack im Mund erinnert an schöne Stunden. MIt einem breiten Grinsen schlendere ich in die Küche. Die kalten Fliesen stören nicht. Was nun? Kaffee und Kippe! Ich werde es bereuen! :) Der erste Schluck aus dem Becher ist wahrer Genuss. Das Feuerzeug ist auch griffbereit. Wunderbar! Hhmmm, gar nicht so schlecht! Irgendwas fehlt....Ah, da war doch was. Ich drücke auf Play und fange an ... !

Sonntagstanz! Seid ihr auch schon dabei?

enelRAM ...in the Mix 031

Listen on Dublab:
https://www.dublab.com/shows/silk-road-secret-agents

Follow us on IG and everywhere else @discotchari
https://www.instagram.com/discotchari

This vinyl set was curated for Urvakan Festival 2022, originally scheduled to take place at The Composer’s Union in Dilijan last September. The nature of the festival and venue made our goal very clear: to take our audience on a dizzying tour of Armenian Diaspora hotspots from Boston to Beirut, Montevideo to Marseilles, and of course Santa Monica Boulevard to Sayat Nova Avenue. This festival was cancelled due to Azerbaijan's invasion of sovereign Armenian land that they continue to occupy to this day while imposing an economic blockade on 120,000 Armenians in Artsakh. As of this video's upload date, the blockade has persisted for 90+ days and the regime in Azerbaijan has made clear their intentions to ethnically cleanse Artsakh of its indigenous people.

Sometimes a set is more about storytelling than DJ'ing, and together these songs represent the story we wanted to tell about Armenian music at Urvakan last year. We are going to tell this story anyway and offer some visual aids taken straight from our historical and cultural lexicons. Squelching guitars, 8-bit synthesizers, wailing horns, thunderous drum-breaks, familiar phrases in a different fashion; this was our ritual to beckon the ghosts (“urvakaner”) to the dance floor, and liberate the spirits of both living and dead. 

https://www.urvakan.com

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:00:04] Konstantin Orbelyan - Dilijan

[00:02:18] Mikayel Melikyan - Inchu Es Lalis? ("Why Are You Crying?")

[00:05:56] Jack Baghsarian - Ari Yar ("Come Here My Love")

[00:08:52] Yorgantz - Anahid ("Discotchari")

[00:12:10] Avo Sarkissian - Mi Mekh Ounem ("I Have One Sin")

[00:16:14] Harout Pamboukjian - Handi Lala 

[00:20:01] Hovig Hovanes - Sareri Kami ("Mountain Wind")

[00:22:46] Arthur Apkarian - Ors Kez Hed Antsav ("My Day Spent With You")

[00:25:34] Tato Aristakessian - Ov Ouni? ("Who Has?")

[00:28:19] Raissa Mkrtchyan - Mer Haïrenik ("Our Fatherland")

[00:30:26] Jack Boshnagyan - Nooneh

[00:32:48] Mohammed "Mike" Hegazi - Nouni

[00:38:54] Antranig Matossian - Herou Keznitz ("Far Away From You")

[00:43:28] Karnig Sarkissian - Siroun Aghchig Es ("You're A Beautiful Girl")

[00:45:58] Norayr - Haïenk Tznvel ("We Were Born Armenian")

[00:50:00] André Valian - Geedem Ge Gos ("I Know You'll Come")

[00:53:46] Ievo Y Su Conjunto - Iek Kailenk Sirelis / Ven Caminemos Mi Amor ("Come Let's Walk My Love")

[00:56:53] Conjunto Electrónico Armenio - Im Hai Ajchig ("My Armenian Girl")

[01:00:22] Georgy Minasyan - Yerevani Poghotsnerov ("In the Streets of Yerevan")

[01:03:04] Melkon / Sevan - Tchem Garor Heranal ("I Can't Leave")

[01:06:11] Lola Khomiants - Ur Ek Tghaner? ("Where Are You Guys?")

[01:09:37] Sardarabad - Khentsor ("Apple On A Tree")

[01:13:38] Narek Dourian - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

[01:16:12] John Berberian - The Oud & The Fuzz (4/4)

🌐 Disco 🅧 Քոչարի 🧿
Modernizing ancient roots w/ music you’ve never heard and timeless lifestyle products. Come kef with us!
Sublabel of @chezcritique

Website: https://www.discotchari.com 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/discotchari 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discotchari 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discotchari
Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/discotchari
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/discotchari 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5EIUVFOH9noAjcZS833i14?si=ee30d58229284941
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/user/discotchari
Contact us: discotchari@gmail.com

Discotchari Presents: Waking The Spirits of Urvakan Festival

Mediterranean marauders, Saharan spies, Bengal buccaneers, assemble! Join the Silk Road Secret Agents as we meander through the legendary trade routes connecting Asia and Africa with Europe via The Middle East, sewing a rich tapestry of musical heritage as we go. We will rely on sound waves, realized from thousands of years of cultural exchange, to disrupt conventional perspectives and diffuse critical intel behind often elusive recordings. Flaring film scores, squelching psych odysseys, infernal disco fevers and more will be at your disposal so meet us at the epicenter of the Old World. Requirements include enthusiasm for iconoclasm and reliable sonic transportation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our next SRSA guest mix comes from music journalist, podcast producer and archival DJ: Jackson Allers. An alumnus of the dublab community, Jackson produced a variety of independent programs and events throughout Los Angeles for six years before moving to Beirut, where he contributed his rogue industry knowledge to create a thriving music community interested in Lebanon’s local sounds from past eras. Over a decade, he was a core member of Beirut Groove Collective alongside archivist selectors Natalie Shooter and Ernesto Chahoud, using music as a means to liberate and unite Lebanese citizens against state oppression. His unceremonious exile from Lebanon a few years ago brought him back to the United States, where he re-established himself in Houston, TX and continues to produce a variety of media on his own terms. He currently runs an independent radio station “Ice House Radio” that meanders throughout Houston via van, broadcasting curated airwaves in pop-up formats. Today he brings us a guest mix of songs that are connected to his personal travels and tribulations, many from records that he was forced to leave behind in Lebanon and physically replace through new adventures thousands of miles away.

TRACKLIST:


Pt. 1

Ihsan Al Munzer – I Love You Lebanon
Nicolas Dick – Aziza
Nicolas Dick – Chahrel Assal
Ihsan Al Munzer – Mountain Girl
Hassan Abou Seoud – Chik Chak Chok
Mike Hegazi – Dadal Khetyara
Rhythm Group – Rhythm Fantasy
Abd al-Rahman al-Khamissi – African Dance (Twist)
Omar Khorshid – Laylet Hob
Souad Mohamed – Ahallefa Washkeek Lellah
Salim El Baroudi – Fatouma
Magda Ali – Nafourak Ya Ghazal (Nubian Love Song)
Ziad Rahbani – El Helwa Di
Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13 produced by Daniel Der Sahakian


Pt. 2

Yorgantz – Sari Aghtchig
Adiss Harmandian – Mi Gna
Ara Guiragossian – Mayrigis
Jacques Kodjian – Bent El Shalabiya
Hamlet Minassian – Al Elnim
Harout Pamboukjian – Taparoum Enk
Yorgantz – Chinanay Yar Djan
Eddy Jeghelian – Im Sireli Ashdarag
Hamelet Minassian – On The Days
Avo Haroutiounian – Tears On My Eyes
Yorgantz – Ammenaïn Serdov (De Tout Coeur)
Paul Baghdadlian – Yar Ari
Avo Haroutiounian – Sunrise
Manuel Manankichian – Yes Gitem Yeraz E
Jacques Kodjian – Shu Beyebka

dublab.com

(03/26/24) Silk Road Secret Agents: Jackson Allers Guest Mix

(05/28/24) Silk Road Secret Agents: Do Androids Dream of Electric Camels?

Silk Road Secret Agents is Discotchari’s monthly debriefing of music that highlights the fusion of musical movements around the world and throughout the ages with ethnic identities rooted in the diverse Silk Road region. We also dive deep into the history of artists whose life stories and music evoke dramatic cinema fit for Tarantino, Kiarostami, Wong Kar-Wai, Youssef Chahine and other legendary directors. These artists often times relied on their musical talent to navigate complex social structures, unite people from different backgrounds, and preserve their ethnic roots by reimagining them in new forms: inspiring the name “Silk Road Secret Agents.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We have a very special episode for you today: environmental, experimental, and electronic Japanese imports – with the obi sleeves! Speaking of obi sleeves, the commercial head-rush of city pop music in Japan was naturally followed by a musical movement emphasizing balance and harmony with natural surroundings; guided by the ancient Japanese principle of “nagomi”. This show highlights the influences of 80s environmental music on the full scope of electronic genres that emerged in Japan throughout the 90s; produced by industry legends, political activists, and future stars from the underground. Listen in for a tour through all of Japan’s unique soundscapes, from lush forests and crashing waves to imposing skyscrapers and rhythmic metro lines.

TRACKLIST:

Takashi Kokubo – Good Morning
Yoshiaki Ochi – Beatsonic
Yutaka Hirose – Humming The Sea
Rika Kayama – Unknown Hometown
Inoyamaland – Glass Chime
Yas-Kaz – Jasmin
Shiho Yabuki – Energy Flow (Ki No Nagare)
Yoshi Ojima – Organic Steps
Hiroshi Yoshimura – Hoh River
Susumu Hirasawa – Behelit
Akiro Ito – W・A・T・E・R
Towa Tei – Son Of Bambi
Yoshinori Sunahara – Elegant World
Susumu Yokota – Cat, Mouse and Me
Rei Harakami – Bioscope
Tetsu Inoue – Holy Dance
Ken Iishi – Overlap
Denki Groove – Stingray
Cornelius – Mic Check
Masahiro Sugaya – Until the End of the World

(07/23/24) Silk Road Secret Agents: Japanese Ambient Imports

Silk Road Secret Agents is Discotchari’s monthly debriefing of music that highlights the fusion of musical movements around the world and throughout the ages with ethnic identities rooted in the diverse Silk Road region. We also dive deep into the history of artists whose life stories and music evoke dramatic cinema fit for Tarantino, Kiarostami, Wong Kar-Wai, Youssef Chahine and other legendary directors. These artists often times relied on their musical talent to navigate complex social structures, unite people from different backgrounds, and preserve their ethnic roots by reimagining them in new forms: inspiring the name “Silk Road Secret Agents.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This set is dedicated to contemporary SWANA artists you should know about. Take notes - you just might see these artists at a SRSA rendezvous near you in the future!

TRACKLIST:

Elephant Stone - A Silent Moment
De.Ville - The Love We Lost
De.Ville - Water
Mashrou' Leila - Tayf
Rima Khcheich - Muwashah Salla Fina El Lahtha Hindiyya
Sevana Tchak - Vay Le Le (Msho Aghchik)
Sevana Tchak - Khorodik 
Alsarah and The Nubatones - Wad Alnuba (Captain Planet Remix) 
Alsarah and The Nubatones - Ya Watan
Maryam Saleh - Nouh Al Hamam 
Clarissa Bitar - Nasak
Bedouin Burger - Kheit El Sabah
TootArd - Pretty Woman
TootArd - Open Sesame
THE DEENJES - Utem Kez (Ուտեմ քեզ)
Allah-Las - No Werewolf 
jrimurmur - Averak
Ko Shin Moon - Olou La Emmou (feat. Mouna Hawa)
Ko Shin Moon - Al Ghali Feat. Sara El Rawy
The Bambir - Gzhi Harsaniq (Գժի հարսանիք)
The Bambir - The Witching Hour (Գիշերով)
Arto Tunçboyacıyan - Other Side of the River
Kamarama - 99.99
Hayk Karoi - Mayrum (feat. Susanna Najarian)
TAXI KEBAB - Ttabla
Hagop Tchaparian - Right to Riot
Symptom Error - Pshaqagh (Փշաքաղ)

(08/27/24) Silk Road Secret Agents: Contemporary SWANA Pop

Silk Road Secret Agents is Discotchari‘s monthly debriefing of music that highlights the fusion of musical movements around the world and throughout the ages with ethnic identities rooted in the diverse Silk Road region. We also dive deep into the history of artists whose life stories and music evoke dramatic cinema fit for Tarantino, Kiarostami, Wong Kar-Wai, Youssef Chahine and other legendary directors. These artists often times relied on their musical talent to navigate complex social structures, unite people from different backgrounds, and preserve their ethnic roots by reimagining them in new forms: inspiring the name “Silk Road Secret Agents.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How to craft the perfect Riviera On The Raks: 2 ounces pineapple-infused gin, ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice, ¾ ounce simple syrup, 1 egg white, orange bitters. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and dry-shake (without ice) for 30 seconds. Add ice and shake to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass and drop orange bitters onto the surface of the meringue. Serve garnished with a mint leaf alongside these delectable song selections from 1970 – 1983 that evoke walking along the boardwalks of the Mediterranean’s most captivating seaside cities.

Tracklist:

Omar Khorshid – Solenzara
Jacques Kodjian – Bent El Shalabiya
Jacques Kodjian – Shu Beyebka Men Errewaye
Claude Ciari – Hommage à Fairuz
Vahé Kalenderian – Pakramian Poghotsoum
Elias Rahbani – Good Night My Love
Munir Bashir – Sam’ri
Alex Menakian – Yes Kezanits Heratsa
Vahe Demirjian – Lina Lina
Vatché Yeramian – Pardineri Bourakoum
Salim Sarwat – Kanoun El Hob
Ziad Rahbani – Ya Mahla Nourha
Ahmed Fouad Hassan – Al Mushrabiya
Unknown Artist – Alhinna
Azar Habib – Kenna Tleti
Hassan Abou Seoud – Borriquito
Nicolas El Dick – Salama Ya Salama
Mike Hegazi – Far Away
Omar Khorshid – Arabian Melody
Hany Mehanna – Damat Alam
Baligh Hamdi – Salamat
Ammar El Sherei – La Talomny
Ammar El Sherei – El Kamh Ellela
Agop Pakyüz – Ah Im Anuş Yar
Onno Tunçboyaçıyan – Senden Başka
Zafer Dilek – Intizar
Esin Engin – Güller ve Dudaklar
Ahmed Malek – Thème Rythme Léger
Ahmed Malek – La Côte
Abdou El Omari – Alghoroub

(09/24/2024) Silk Road Secret Agents: Riviera On The Raks

John Vartan

Vietnamese Jumbush
Zurna Haleh
Violin Solo
Oud Solo
Kaval Solo
Baghlama Saz
Huzam Bahr
Mandoud
Shalako
Tanbur
Kani Vor Jan Im

The Armenian - II

Kani Vor Janim

Onnik Dinkjian Keif Time - A

Yek Intznitz Mi Pakhtchir

Armenian music guest episode from October, 17th on New York University FM station with a discussion of current situation in Artsakh and Armenia.
The regular radio revolucion focuses on left wing dance folk and experimental music around the world
                    >>> Interview starts on 22:00 minute <<

"Welcome guest Lucia Kagramanyan who came to us from Armenia to discuss the grave subject of the imperialist terror facing the region Artsakh. To relax she also kindly prepared a mix of beautiful Armenian music from different time periods."

radio revolución @WNYU FM w/Lucia Kagramanyan Armenian special

Herossin Yerke (Hero's Song)

🌐 Disco 🅧 Քոչարի 🧿

Discotchari (a portmanteau of "disco" and the folk dance "kotchari") is the investigative musical journey of Zachary Asdourian and Anaïs Gyulbudaghyan; together they are pushing the boundaries of Armenian music produced in diaspora outposts and strongholds from Boston to Beirut, Montevideo to Marseilles and Santa Monica Boulevard to Sayat Nova Avenue. Functioning as a record label and performing act, they are passionate about under-exposed dance music born from immigrant communities and cultural waves around the world; their ultimate goal is to ensure Armenian music thrives in the global landscape of "international rare grooves" by supplying soundtracks that sway multicultural audiences and build solidarity through shared appreciation of irresistible songs. Additionally, they host a monthly radio show, promote events at renown local venues, and share physical discoveries on their YouTube and Instagram channels. 

"Silk Road Secret Agents"on @dublab
Sublabel of @chezcritique