Bambir

The Bambir
Origin Gyumri, Armenia
Genres rock, folk rock
Years active 1998–present
Associated acts Jag-Bambir
Website thebambir.com

The Bambir are a Progressive Ethnic Rock band formed in Gyumri in 1994, by Narek, Arman Kocharyan, Arik Bambir Grigoryan.

History

The Bambir are four young artist, musicians, who met in 1994 in age of 9 and are mastering Progressive Ethnic Rock music together till now. Narek (son of Jag) and Arman (son of Robert Kocharyan, an original member of "Angin Qarer"), friends since birth, grew up in Gyumri in the creative environment built by their fathers and community.[1] They picked up the guitar and bass at a very young age. They met Arik (flute) when they were nine years old, and their trio began jamming and performing on their own. In 1999-2000 they travelled to Los Angeles and New York, and even recorded an album (never released) in California but had to return to Armenia, and school. Ashot Korganyan joined them on drums in 2001. As the boys grew up in Gyumri they became better musicians and started playing more and more. The four-piece returned to Los Angeles in 2007, and Ashot left the band upon their return. That same year, the now trio travelled to Shoushi in Nagorno Kharabagh for a music festival and Narek, Arman, and Arik met Vardan, originally from Vanadzor, Lori region. They continue to be part of the Jag-Bambir Ensemble.

The band’s notoriety grew as they finished university and continued to gig, and they started to attract international attention. They played in Moscow, Paris, Istanbul, Beirut, Georgia, and all over Armenia, placing third in 2010's Eurovoice Competition. They made the decision to make a go of breaking into the European market, and moved to Dublin in January 2012. Their incredible musicianship and intense energy on-stage made them stand out immediately, and it wasn’t long before they were booked for festivals like KnockanStockan,[2] No Place Like Dome, Body&Soul,[3] and Electric Picnic, as well as special events like launches and Tower Records' 19th birthday.[4] They became known for their relentless gigging, sometimes playing 3 shows/night- their final performances in Dublin, 2012 were on Arthur's Day when they played 3 times in The Mercantile, The Stag's Head, and The Sweeney Mongrel.[5] State (magazine) called them "Ireland's hairiest and hardest working band," featuring them as part of their 2012 Electric Picnic coverage.[6] They appeared on Near FM,[7] Radio Nova 100FM (Ireland), Dublin City FM, and WDAR. While much of their live sets in Ireland are in English, they continue to perform and write songs in the Armenian language as well.[8] The band has recorded with international musicians like Dietmar Bonnen.

They have been based in Ireland as of January 2012. They write and perform their own music written by Narek and Arik, and are known for their vibrant stage presence in their live shows and unique sound.

The Bambir Members

Present Members:

Past Members:

Discography and Releases

Recorded albums, EP sessions, Singles:

Best Rock Band at the Armenian National Music Award: (2003, 2004) two years in a row.

Music videos

References

  1. ↑ Kavanagh, Paul. “Some Words With The Bambir chewyourownfat.wordpress.com. Retrieved on December 5, 2012.
  2. ↑ Hot Press News Desk. "Knockanstockan: first acts revealed!" hotpress.com. Retrieved on December 5, 2012.
  3. ↑ Hot Press News Desk. "UPDATE: Body and Soul Festival" hotpress.com. Retrieved on December 5, 2012.
  4. ↑ Hot Press News Desk. "Happy Birthday Tower" hotpress.com. Retrieved on December 5, 2012.
  5. ↑ Hot Press News Desk. "Stag's Head Gears Up For Arthur's Day" hotpress.com. Retrieved on December 5, 2012.
  6. ↑ White, Hilary A. "Electric Picnic '12: The Bambir" State.ie. Retrieved on December 5, 2012.
  7. ↑ near tv productions “Near FM Sessions- The Bambir- July 26th 2012” neartv.ie. Retrieved on December 5, 2012.
  8. ↑ CIVILNET TV. “The Bambir have Returned” civilnet.am. Retrieved on December 5, 2012.

External links