Daao is an acclaimed Armenian musician known for his innovative compositions that combine various musical styles. With a unique fusion of European jazz elements and old-school electronic rhythms, he captivates audiences with his distinctive soundscapes, drawing inspiration from his Armenian heritage and aiming to inspire unity, understanding and collaboration through the power of music.
His new record is HOME. With an artful fusion of European jazz elements and an old-school electronic 808-sounding beat, this extraordinary and evocative LP aims to inspire people around the world to work, educate and help each other more intensely, transcending barriers. of the different beliefs.
HOME represents a bold exploration of musical genres, combining the sophistication and improvisational spirit of European jazz with the infectious energy of classic electronic beats. The album seamlessly blends intricate melodies, harmonies and rhythms, leading to listening
We have had the pleasure of interviewing him and this has been the result.
Thanks for talking to us. Where are you currently? How did you start your day?
I’m grateful for this chat. At the moment, I’m kicking back in Yerevan, my cozy birthplace tucked away in the heart of Armenia’s majestic mountains. My usual wake-up call is the symphony of car horns outside, but today, I got to enjoy an unusually serene start to the day.
When did the idea of starting a musical project start to take shape? Has it always been something you wanted to do?
Sure, starting a music project was never really a premeditated choice for me. It more or less just fell into place on its own. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had music in my life in some form. At some stage, I developed this vision, or perhaps it found me, and it’s been leading me on my artistic journey ever since. The interesting part is watching this vision grow and take on more complex shapes as I age. Yet, through its transformation, it remains a touchstone of truth for me. Reflecting on my past, it’s evident that creation has always been a part of me, and currently, this urge to create has found its expression through music under the name daao.
What are some of the key techniques behind your approach to producing your new album?
When it comes to producing a new album under the daao name, I wouldn’t say I adhere to any specific technique. Instead, the approach is guided by an overarching concept or the expression of something that can’t be captured by words alone. That’s when these sentiments morph into music. This music often becomes part of a collection, supplemented by short video narratives and designs. Over time, daao has evolved into a space where I explore, experiment, and learn, allowing me to shape the visuals and direction of these projects.
How much time do you tend to spend discovering new music?
I seem to constantly listen to music when I’m awake. So it’s not that I intentionally hunt for new music; I just listen to a lot of music, as most people do. Occasionally, during these listening sessions, I stumble upon pieces that resonate with me, regardless of their genre, and they end up in one of my randomly named folders.
What other artists are you interested in these days?
Musically, I’ve been diving deep into Tribe Called Quest or J Dilla, Erykah Badu, and the Soulquarians family. They have an abundance of fantastic music that takes a bit of digging to discover. I also listen to a lot of Isaac Hayes, Duke Pearson, The Juju Orchestra, Yussef Dayes, Mansur Brown, Alfa Mist, Kamaal Williams, Kamasi Washington, and many more.
As for artists whose personalities I admire, Tyler, the Creator, Kendrick Lamar, and Virgil Abloh are some of them. I’m also deeply interested in documentaries about Jean-Michel Basquiat and artists of his era. As I reflect on all these influences, it really starts to make sense why daao has evolved the way it has.
Can you tell us anything about your projects for 2023?
Over time, «daao» has become a pseudonym under which I do everything: I write music, perform, collaborate musically, design albums or singles for myself or for musicians I admire, direct short video stories, and write. The reason for this is simply my love for creating, working hard on various things, and accumulating them. So, my goal for 2023 is to engage in as many collaborations as possible. More specifically, I’ve designed a camera in collaboration with a local photo laboratory, and we’re producing a limited edition of 30 pieces. I also have an upcoming documentary to shoot, and several musical podcasts to play, and I plan to finally release a 2-track EP I wrote a year ago.
