“FROM BEIRUT TO ANATOLIA.”
During a recent visit to Lebanon, FIBRE stumbled upon a little gem, hidden in the treasure that is Bourj Hammoud; an area that is home to many of Beirut’s Armenian community. The history of this area is as dense as its population dating back to the fall of the Ottoman Empire. Under the grand Empire’s governing, over 1 million Armenians were exterminated in what is now known as the Armenian Genocide. The result was the Armenian diaspora community of Lebanon we know today, also found predominantly in Georgia, Russia and the US.
Perhaps it is history, perhaps it is geography or perhaps it is experience that creates inner peace and order in the midst of chaos. Perhaps the frustrations we have with our history further our longing to belong, further our drive to change, further our need to create. In a nutshell, the result can be found in art, understanding, curiosity, love, empathy, humanity and passion, with the hope that every little effort counts in our spiralling world.
What is certain is that for Khoum, there is an undeniable connection with the past and the present. An experimental music project, Khoum aims to “redefine, rediscover and recollect lost pieces and elements of Caucasian, Anatolian and Armenian ethnic music.” The name itself has a history stemming from the Armenian music notation system of the 9th century, Khaz. A duo from Beirut-Lebanon, Bobes Aghjian and Haig Gragian have come together to recreate history. Deeply rooted in the past with a consciousness for the present, Khoum dismantle elements of Folk, Classical, Jazz and oriental music and reassemble them into a modern day hybrid of sounds that are both therapeutic and captivating for the ears.
We were intrigued to unravel the inner workings of their mind and their inspirations -
How and when did you first start making music?
We started making music 13 years ago and we’ve been the founding members of different bands such as Mihr playing Armenian folk music. However, Khoum is a newly formed project about 4 months old. We started Khoum because Mihr’s audience was the Armenian community and their expectations and receptivity was restricted to Armenian music. Our aim was to include oriental elements in our music because it reflects our identity and reality as Anatolian Armenians living in the Arab world. We have detached ourselves from the limitations.
Why the name ‘Khoum?’
Khoum is a dynamic musical sign in the ancient neumatic notation system invented by Hampartsoum Limondjian (Baba Hampartsoum). Hampartsoum Limondjian also contributed to the invention of the Ottoman notation system. We chose Khoum because this sign reflects the mystic element and the open dimension of our music.
How do you combine the various elements of Caucasian, Anatolian and Armenian sounds?
All the sounds are familiar to us. We do not think about combining the sounds. We just express ourselves through these elements.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
We are inspired by music of the people and not popular music because it has a social relevance and it is the most familiar and the purest of music.
What is important about music?
Music has become independent and individual after the incorporation of technology in music. It’s either quality music or bad music. Popularity and exposure are not the norms to define the quality of music.
What keeps you going?
Our passion for music!
How do you make ethnic music ‘modern’ and relatable for your followers?
Ethnic music was passed down to our generation through oral tradition and other means. However, our ears were adapted to western music. Both elements are present in us. We just practice them.
What is the story behind your track/video ‘From Beirut to Anatolia?’
It is a musical journey from our present to our past. The abstract fragments of the music video conjure up images from the present and the past.
How do you define home?
Home is a state in which you feel comfortable and an environment where you can express yourself and should not be associated with a specific location.
What are you listening to this week?
Tinariwen, Ibrahim Keivo, Aynur Dogan.
What is next on your agenda?
We have several live sessions in Beirut after which we will release new compositions.
For Khoum, music is more than a passion, it is a way of life and being, it is an identity. An identity closely defined by their interpretation of home, but not solely that. It is also shaped by their reality and an ear for the raw foundation of music that we have come to know today.
Their current and future endeavours can be followed on –
http://khoumsessions.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCROuVGloFBd9OQsS66oVkdw
https://www.facebook.com/khoum.sessions.7?fref=ts
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Writer/Editor: @madradar
Editor in chief: @nehmew