Last week, we have had the chance to watch a live performance by eclectic one man band Armen at The Baazar and intrumental ensemble Sweet Mother Logic at La Sala Rossa. We were also lucky enough to catch up with Armen at the Bazaar's frontman Armen Bazarian, which EP Noor both mand us to dance and sing along since we have put our hands on it. 

Here's our little chit-chat with Armen, followed by our views on the show.

IX: How did this project of forming Armen at the Bazaar started out ? 

Armen: I was getting sick of playing with a band.  Decided to start playing with myself.  Have been playing with myself ever since.

IX: Amen at the Baazar is an eclectic blissful blend in indie, folk and electronic music. Who are your influences ?

Armen: Right now I’m listening to a lot of electronic music : Pantha du Prince, Paul Kelkbrenner, The Field (soooo good), Casino vs. Japan, the new M83 record which is brilliant, Sir. James Blake, Dominik Eulberg.

IX: How do you manage to be a one man band in the studio and then on stage ? Where did you learn to play all these instruments ?

Armen: I started off as a singer, then slowly started to learn other instruments.  I love recording music and would spend countless hours in high school making little acoustic demos.  If you want to get good at something, put in the hours.  10 000 hours.  That simple.  I’m nowhere near yet…

IX: Your last EP was given outstanding reviews by Montreal newspapers. Were you expecting this kid of reaction ?  

Armen: You never know what to expect.  I know the strengths and weaknesses of this EP.   That’s really the only thing that’s important to me.  I just have to strive to make something better the next time around.  

IX: You mostly write happy songs. Are you always in a good mood ?

Armen:I’m usually very depressed ;)

IX: What is the next step now for Armen and the Baazar ? 

Armen: I’m working on a new EP.  I’d say it’s about 67.3% done.  Hardest part is still ahead though.  Really letting loose.  More electronic, more experimental, more psychedelic…getting some close friends involved too.  Can’t wait, can’t wait !  

Sweet Times - Sweet Mother Logic + Armen At The Bazaar @ La Sala Rossa 11/2/11

It was definitely good moments on Thursday night at La Sala Rossa as Sweet Mother Logic and Armen At the Bazaar’s granted us some sweet performances. It was certainly strange to have these two acts reunited on the same night, their music being so unlike. However, there was no doubt about this unexepted hapening being very pleasant, just like a sweet and salty desert.

 The night started roundly as Armen took over, bringing on some cool and dreamy sound. Being a solo performer, the man stands up from himself and does every  from beatboxing to playing live guitar and sampling his own voice in order to build up powerful pop songs. It’s joyous, smooth and inventive and got us all bobbing our heads from beginning to end. However, we would have liked to get some more of Armen’s energy, as the venue and crowd might not have done him justice. 

Then, Sweet Mother Logic came along for one contrasting set. The band skillfully mixes classical and modern influences in order to produce comforting and fanciful music, the kind that you would want to feature your next movie soundtrack. The melodies are complex but effective, soothing and effortless. The visuals - grainy projections filmed in fast forward - enhanced the contemplative feeling of the night. The band was accompanied on stage by a by viola and upright bass player, adding to the usual cello, violin, drums, keyboard and electric guitar combo.«Sweet Motherfucker!» exclaimed an ecstatic fan, in the half-though the performance. Damn right, for this flawless performance.

Pictures by Jules-A. Bouvier