AN ECLECTIC MIX: ARMENIAN-AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER COMBINES R&B AND POP ON HER NEW CD, TITLED ‘SPECIAL DELIVERY.’
By Joyce Rudolph
Burbank Leader, CA
Sept 26 2007
Singer-songwriter Maria Akopian believes there’s a fine line between
pop music and R&B, and she said she’s tried to balance these two
genres on her first CD, "Special Delivery."
"I think the texture and style of my voice and singing in general is
very R&B and soulful, but just like mainstream pop music, it’s easy to
catch on to," she said. "The way I write my music is radio-friendly
and easy to like, like pop music. When you hear pop music, it’s easy
to catch on to it."
The Burbank resident, known professionally as "Maria," is Armenian,
but she writes all her lyrics in English, unlike many other
Armenian-American singers, she said.
Her sound and that she sings in English are what make her music unique,
said Arman Lakisyan, owner of Glenoaks Video and Records in Glendale,
where the CD is available.
"It’s very different," he said. "It’s unique as far as the genre goes
of music written by Armenian people. . . . 194;And
the mixing of the music is done very professionally." advertisement
Akopian held a signing event Saturday for the five-song EP CD at
the Sidewalk Cafe in Glendale. She produced the CD as part of Nuzik
Entertainment, a collaboration of four artists, including herself.
The other three artists are Zareh Zatikyan of Glendale, who goes
by the stage name Capital Z; Arnold Nazaryan of Glendale, known
professionally as Apeh Jan; and Narek Ovsepyan of Glendale, who is
also the group’s producer, and known to fans as A. Chilla.
"We try to introduce a new sound that incorporates ethnic and hip-hop
and R&B, so it has an international feel to it with American hip-hop,
R&B and pop," Akopian said.
"The collaboration allows the artists to be involved in every step
of producing a CD, and they organize their own promotional events."
While the music is produced digitally in the studio by the producers,
Akopian writes the lyrics, she said. The recording artists also bring
other producers into their projects, she said.
Akopian has two favorite songs on the new CD – "Wicked" and "Imagine."
She favors "Wicked" because the words are hard-hitting.
"It’s unexpected from me by my fans," she said. "It’s about the
people around me becoming jealous of my success. It’s a very emotional
song. [Fans] are used to me singing soft songs. I like it because of
the beat especially. It’s a mid-tempo hip-hop beat."
Her second favorite is "Imagine."
"I think it’s a very truthful song, and people can relate to it,"
she said. "It’s very easy on the ears and has a beautiful sound to
it – almost euphoric. As far as the vocal production, it’s one of
best that I have arranged."
She’s been writing lyrics for 10 years and singing since she was 5.
"I sing because I feel it’s my God-given talent, my passion, my life,"
she said. "When I wake up, I think about my music and how to get my
music out there."
Her motivation in everything she does is what impresses Zatikyan.
They met while attending Glendale Community College in 1998.
"Maria is an incredible artist," he said.
"She is one of the most motivated people I know. She never ceases
to amaze me, with her ability to maintain a relationship, going to
school full time, and now teaching full time and constantly evolving
as an artist. I’m honored to have her as part of my team."
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