Stuff.co.nz, New Zealand
Jan 11 2009

Serj Tankian’s ‘Big Day Off’

By ELLEN IRVINE – Sunday News | Monday, 12 January 2009

TIME OUT: Serj Tankian says playing the Big Day Out music festival is
more like a ‘Big Day Off’ for artists.

Rocker Serj Tankian says artists like playing the Big Day Out festival
circuit so much they call it "The Big Day Off".

The tour starts in Auckland on January 16, and goes to the Gold Coast,
Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide before finishing in Perth on February
1.

That gives touring musicians a whoppping 11 days when they’re not
required on stage.

"You get a lot of time off, which is why we call it the Big Day
Off. I’ve had a great time (in the past), I’m really looking forward
to it," Tankian told Sunday News.

The Armenian-born, American-raised musician has played the festival
twice with System of a Down, which is in a "permanent hiatus".

"I have so many memories of Big Day Out. Just two years ago, I got on
stage in Auckland and did a song with Tool – that was really great,"
Tankian said.

"My most recent memory was Rage Against the Machine last year (where
he made a guest appearance with Tom Morello’s The Nightwatchman).

"I have done the tour twice with System and had an amazing time. I
always say my two favourite ever tours are the European festivals and
Big Day Out.

"They are the most fun tours to be part of – it’s summer time, it’s
very chill, everyone is having a good time."

This time around Tankian will be playing his unique brand of music
from his solo album Elect the Dead.

Leaving System to play on-stage as a solo artist didn’t faze Tankian
but he says the biggest challenge he faced was re-establiishing
himself as a solo artist.

"I’ve had to build that up again. That’s been a challenging process,
(but) the record’s been received really well.

"I’ve done all the things I wanted to do witha solo record. I’m going
to be putting out solo records for the rest of my life."

Tankian owns a house in New Zealand and has residency, spending about
three months each year here.

He’s worked with Kiwi artists including Bic and Boh Runga, and uses
his time here to write.

"i enjoy coming down there and spend as much time as I can away from a
hectic work schedule," he said.

"I do a lot of writing, which is nice. I need space to write. It’s a
beautiful thing."

But this summer he’s got another project in the pipeline – he will
perform Elect the Dead with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on
March 16.

* Big Day Out, January 16, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland.