ANDRE TALKS ABOUT HIS DUET WITH SAMANTHA JADE
Mher Baghdasaryan

Armenian Reporter
re-talks-about-his-duet-with-samantha-jade
April 18, 2009

Andre and Samantha Jade team up

A video clip by Andre and Samantha Jade has been on the air since
2008. It has been a sensation. Our sister publication TV Mol caught up
with Andre in the United States and asked him about his collaboration
with Samantha Jade.

Mher Baghdasaryan: After many years in the industry, you have performed
very few duets. Could the reason be that you approach this format
more seriously?

Andre: I have had many proposals to perform in a duet and sometimes
have been offered large honoraria to do so. I decline to do them
because to perform a duet has to flow from your soul; the desire must
be mutual, as is the work involved.

MB: How did your collaboration with Samantha come about?

Andre: I met Samantha by coincidence at a well-known recording
studio. We decided to sing a duet together. Initially, the song we
were going to perform was a jazz-rock song by Elvina Makaryan called
"Ching-Ching," but Samantha’s team decided to write a new song. She
later told me that she was inspired by my song, "Without Your
Love." After hearing the song, I understood that it was just what we
needed. After that, we began working very intensely and professionally.

MB: Sometimes, for listeners, it’s enough that you are performing
a duet with a non-Armenian. It doesn’t always interest them whether
or not that singer is talented or well-known. Was your collaboration
with Samantha to arouse more attention and interest?

Andre: Our objective was not to amaze the Armenian-speaking
listener. This song has something much greater to say to the
world. Samantha Jade is a creative and talented person, a good
friend. Samantha belongs to one of the most internationally well-known
labels, Java Records. For me it was very interesting to work with
her. As for arousing more interest, I do not have the need for that. I
think that in Armenia, they will remember for a long time what I have
done and what I have achieved. I don’t like to create artificial
scandals about me. I am happy that people talk about me because in
art I do not like mediocrity.

MB: You left for the United States at the end of 2008, where you
continue to reside. The rumor mill has it that you are not working
at all, but rather that you are taking a break. And what is the truth?

Andre: I always combine work with pleasure. As for the rumor
mill, people can say what they like. That comes from a lack of
information. If you are interested, I will tell you. I am working on a
new CD. I have new songs, one of which was written by the well known
writer of the song "Garod," Azat Hakobyan, and the words by Sergei
Grigorian. The song will also have English and Spanish versions. I
will not talk about the other songs, I don’t want to jinx them. I miss
Armenia terribly, and my fans. I am working very hard and I always
try to do my very best. Otherwise, I would be married by now. I am
the eternal daydreaming, ambitious, tireless teenager.