Hi Everyone,

Many people have been asking where they can find my first album, Far From Home.  The best way is to go to www.cdbaby.com/mariamm.  Just click on the link and that will take you straight to the page for Far From Home and you can order it there. 

Enjoy!  And we'll let all of you know when the second album, In the Light, is available... soon!!

A Review of Far From Home

Every so often, an Armenian album comes out of nowhere to impress the listener and leave them wondering, "Where the hell did this come from?" In the case of twentysomething year old schoolteacher Mariam Matossian, the answer is Vancouver, Canada. Far From Home is a collection of 10 Armenian folk songs spread over 13 tracks (the song "Groong" is sung three different times) sung in a very clear, measured, and ultimately sweet innocent style that captures the listener from her first breath. Matossian made the wise decision to work with multi-instrumentalist and producer Adam Popowitz (guitar, mandolin, bass) in creating a dreamlike and very contemporary sound that has an earthy Enya-like feel to the music. Classic songs such as "Shogher Jan" and "Hayastani Aghchigner" are turned upside down with the Popowitz guitar and mandolin arrangements giving Matossian room to wander and breathe new life into songs recorded countless times before. "Mayrigis" and "Hayrenik" are the heavy hitters on this album as the eclectically acoustic based folk band is in full swing with Matossian's supremely focused approach. At times, Matossian's voice seems as though it is as light as air in the beautifully arranged "Oror" and her "Groong" interludes. With Far From Home, Mariam Matossian brings back the element of innocence into the listener's consciousness. While other artists simply hack folk songs to make cash in this marketplace, Mariam Matossian makes you believe every work she is singing.

http://armenianmusicreview.blogspot.com/2005/08/mariam-matossian-far-from-home-self.html

World Discoveries

It's not often that an independent's album songs sounds as good or better than that produced on established record labels - and by 'independent', I mean self-produced; not a small label with fifty artists.

 FAR FROM HOME is also unusual in that it's entirely Armenian folk songs, yet doesn't sound like any Armenian music I've ever heard before: previously all Armenian music we were familiar with were sacred chants or oud-dominated dance music known in the West as 'bellydance music'.

 Most of our favorite oud players are Armenian so at first we were disappointed, as the guitar is used more than the oud on FAR FROM HOME, and the songs aren't for dancing - but the beauty of FAR FROM HOME shines through and easily overcomes any preset expectations.

 Mariam Matossian has a beautiful voice and the original, clever arrangements set off her voice perfectly. Fans of India's Najma, Sheila Chandra, Vass, or Enya will be delighted with FAR FROM HOME's enchanting, professional and haunting vocal style.

 Unlike some American and U.K. singers who have come up with a similar (but not exactly the same) sound, the language on FAR FROM HOME is real, and the lyrics hold deep meaning for those who understand the language.

 Besides guitar, other non-Armenian instruments are blended in with some Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments: for instance, West African drums like the djembe, some synthesizer, and drum programming are also used - but only in subtle ways. They never get in the way of her voice, or spoil the mood.

 I've listened to FAR FROM HOME four times through so far - and it just keeps getting better and better: an exceptional production and a 'must' for any serious collection of Armenian or Middle Eastern music.

http://www.worlddiscoveries.net/African05%20Issue/Middle%20Eastern%20Music.htm

Here's one more song from the new album... something a bit different... 

Enjoy...

We just added another new single Arev Arev on myspace from the upcoming album In the Light.  Arev Arev means sunshine in Armenian... this song is precious to me because if you listen carefully, you can hear some surprise guests on background vocals and drums... 

Enjoy!

Hey there, everyone!

Here we are in the beginning of December, and I can hardly believe how fast this year has gone by.  And what a year it has been!  There is so much to write about.  I feel like I have hardly had time to breathe... each day has been filled with so many new adventures and blessings.  This fall, in particular, has been an unusually busy time for me, and I have been enjoying every minute of it.  Much of this time has been taken up by working on finishing up my new album, among other things...  For many months now, I have been in the studio working on this album and it has become such a special project for me!  I cannot wait to share it with all of you - so stay tuned!  We are hoping to release it very soon... 

Take care,

Mariam