Gor Sujyan, the lead singer of Armenian Dorians is the next one interviewed by the Bicycling reporter Robert in Malmö 2013 Eurovision. He tells - with the help of his lovely translater back up - how the band end up to Eurovision 2013 instead of 2012, how Black Sabbath Tony Iommi reacted when he heard his song was to be in Eurovision, how popular they actually are and how they ended up in Dubai. How about nature and its state? Is he a bit of a nomad? What's he got to do with apricot stone? And what surprising act he proposes for next year? Read it here:
Thank you Gor for this interview. You were internally chosen by the Armenian TV. Why do you think they chose you?
You perhaps know that Dorians offered to participate already in 2012 Eurovision that was held in Azerbaijan. We even had a song and a video prepaired but as you know for political reasons Armenia didn't participate in the end. After that TV kept us in mind and this year decided to ask us to do it. And we gladly accepted the request.
So this year's participation is kind of a reward for being so brave last year wanting to go to Azerbaijan?
Yes I think so. Maybe they wanted to compensate us on that. We really wanted to go last year as we had a song with message, This is our world.
Could you place yourself on the Armenian music map; how popular are you? Do you have a lot of gigs, sell a lot of cds....?
Like all over the world pop music is more popular. It's really hard for a rock band to be really, really popular. We come from the underground scene, playing clubs and gigs where we are close to people. We didn't start from the show business. This way slowly we have made ourselves known. The population of Armenia is not so big but most likely everybody knows Dorians. We still play in clubs and pubs, we love the real contact with people. It's more honest in those small places than in concert halls. But we do them, too. We have released one CD so far, and done concerts also abroad; Moscow, Dubai....
Dubai? How come?
Some Russian invited us there to play. With our concert in Moscow we have made some fans over there, too...
So you expect some votes from Russia?
Yeah! Ha ha ha!
Your song Lonely planet is written by a member of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi. How come his song travelled all the way to Yerevan and you?
Our manager knows him as a few years ago Tony Iommi came to Armenia to Rock Aid Armenia thing. When we were asked to do Eurovision he thought it'd be a good idea to ask Iommi to write some music to us, but we didn't even expect him to agree as Iommi and Eurovision are so different worlds but he did it. And he was shocked himself he did it! ha ha!
It was a challenge for him?
Yes, for him, for us. And a great experience. This is the first time Armenia participates with a rock band and a song written by such rock legend.
Did he wrote the song with Eurovision in mind or was it already excisting?
We don't know about that, we didn't dare to ask him. We don't know the background of this song. Maybe he had it before and never used it, who knows?
When you heard the song for the first time, did you like it instantly?
Yes, of course. When I heard the song for the first time it had no vocal lines and I was a bit shocked as the styles are so different. Dorians is influenced by Black Sabbath but our styles are so different. I didn't know first what to do with it but I liked it.
Where there other songs in the running?
When it was made public we would do Eurovision we were sent so many songs even from abroad and we chose four for the national final, and this one won it. By televote and jury.
Are you worried about the condition of the earth? Your song shows some worry about that....
It's not only a song. It worries me and Dorians a lot. We think people should get back as close as possible to the nature. People are getting digitalized. I'm here with my laptop and you with your cellphone, people are getting too far from nature. The message is to bring humanity and nature back together.
Besides singing what are your interests and hobbies?
So many! I love tro travel, to places close to nature, camping. There are so many beautiful places in Armenia for that, you should come and visit! Seriously! Like Dilijan for example. Or Lake Sevan, Karabakh...
Well if you make sure you win I will come next year! ha ha ha!
But back to the question. Originally I wanted to be a musician, I play Armenian instuments, drums, acoustic guitar... I never studied it, I have learned by myself. I also like to read, watch movies...
How about your personal situation. It's always fun to learn how people live and so on. Do you live on your own or with your family? You are still quite young.... (25, Ed.note)
I moved out when I was 17. I lived with friends, all by myself, with family again, with rock musicians... It keeps changing. A bit of a nomad life.... Ha ha ha!
What do you hope to gain with your Eurovision participation in a long run?
We will be winners if the song's message will reach the audience, if it touches them. That will be already an adchievement. And we have a lot of experience working with these organizers and this is my second time actually as I was one of the backing singers for Eva Rivas in 2010. But for the rest of the band it's a first time and they have a chance to work with these professionals and learn a lot from them.
So, performing in this huge event is already an achievemt for Dorians?
Yes. But this is not about winning or losing. Bonnie Tyler is a huge star and she's here. She says she's here to have fun, to meet a lot of people. We are thinking the same way.
And are you an Eurovision fan? Do you watch it every year?
No, unfortunately not. We all Dorians watch it time to time but we are not true fans. We know all the Armenian songs and know the singers but ... For example my favorite song is Serbia's Molitva. And of the Armenian it's of course Apricot stone as I was part of it. I also like Qele qele. It is still played in Armenia and elsewhere, it was very popular.
Last question: Who would you like to see on Euroviison stage for Armenia in 2014?
Oh, it's a difficult question.... I know many talented musicians and singers in Armenia.... My sister! Eva Sujyan. She is not that popular yet but she took part in the Armenian X Factor and has her band.
So we might see your sister Eva in Eurovision in the future with you as a bakcing singer?
Yeah! Ha ha!
Thank you Gor for this interview and good luck on Thursday. See you in final!
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