VANCOUVER–Ancient Armenian folks songs Mariam Matossian’s grandmother sang to her as she was growing up are now on the air on Canadian Broadcasting radio stations from British Columbia on the West Coast to Nova Scotia in the East. National CBC programs including Bill Richardson’s Round Up–Jurgen Gothe’s Disc Drive–and the program Roots and Wings are featuring songs from Matossian’s debut CD called Far From Home.
"I remember when Jurgen Gothe’s producer phoned me–and I could hear my music playing in the background while he spoke to me," says Matossian. "When he told me how much he loves this music–and they’ll play it next week–I just cried. To think that the songs my grandmother sang are being heard all across the country–in small towns in BC–this is above and beyond any of my expectations!"
Far From Home combines the sweet–yet haunting vocals of Vancouver-area high school teacher and counselor Matossian with the sounds of the traditional sounds of the duduk–oud and rhythm of the dumbec. Funded by a grant from the Canada Council–Matossian takes her audience on a journey through time and into the ancient homeland of her people.
"We’ve received e-mails from folks as far away as Nova Scotia and remote parts of British Columbia," says Matossian. "It’s amazing that people want to know more about me and the album and our culture. After they purchase the album–they write again to say how the songs moved them to tears–how a song in another language is able to touch someone who does not understand the words. The mysterious power of music just fascinates and moves me."
Recently–Matossian was invited by radio station 690 AM to perform live on a Vancouver-area broadcast of the program North by Northwest–Host Sheryl MacKay interviewed the singer about not only her album–but also the Armenian culture and genocide.
Matossian’s music is also reaching far beyond Canada. She has received orders for her album via the web site from as far away as the Netherlands–France–Japan and–of course–the US. "I want the recording to give a global audience–Armenia’s and non-Armenia’s alike–the chance to experience the beauty of our music," says Matossian. "With this album–I was able to fulfill my goal of creating something that would honor my family–my culture and God."