CBC Music Contest – Vote for My Friend Tatevik Sarkisyan

Vote for Drellander – You can vote once a day.
Biographical Info — Copy/Pasted –  Credit to: CBC Searchlight competition – Tatevik Sarkisyan

Tatevik Sarkisyan is a singer/songwriter/producer/performer based in Toronto, Canada. Her main genres are pop and jazz but she also writes dance music, Latin beats, rock’n’roll and country.

Drellander was born Tatevik Sarkisyan from Armenian parents in Moscow. She began her musical journey at the age of 6 as a choir lead and piano performer at school concerts.

She came to Canada at the age of 16 and became known in the Montreal local community for performing a classical repertoire in 8 languages. At 19 she developed a passion for song-writing and presented to a small audience her first musical composition “Time”.

The singer/songwriter/producer now has more than 160 written songs behind her in a variety of styles.

Tatevik has received great reviews for her work including praise from tenor and McGill voice coach Franco Tenelli who says: “One of Tateviks greatest gifts is a beautiful voice that can be used in almost any style of music including classical and pop. In addition she is also a composer and excellent songwriter. This versatility is a unique gift itself and ensures us we have a real talent.”

At 24 Tatevik moved to Toronto and took on the artist name “Drellander” which sounds like “dreamlander”. In 2004 Tatevik collaborated with writer/film director Robert Wilson on a short film A Dying Fall that aired on CBC in July 2006 and won first place at WorldFest Houston. Tatevik’s multiple credits for this film include art direction, craft services, make-up and wardrobe, contract management as well as playing a small part in the movie. Tatevik worked with Robert at Tamerlane Productions until 2009.

In 2011 she recorded her song Oasis with indie music producer and Indie Week judge Dave Thomson of Digital Underdog Productions and released it on iTunes and Amazon via CD Baby. She also produced a music video for the song (directed and edited by Robert Wilson) that is now available on YouTube.

Tatevik launched Drellander Productions in 2012 and is currently looking for funding for her album. She secured a non-exclusive worldwide publishing deal for her songs with the Canadian publisher Jan Cooper Publishing after Jan Cooper represented her at Midem 2012 in Cannes. In the same year she had a performance at the prestigious Mod Club in Toronto organized by Landmark Media. Her song Oasis was promoted with a 2 week radio blast in Canada and US by Avala DSF (currently under Five2Eight umbrella). In February 2013 she was approached and signed with A & R Select to promote her music on radio, in magazines,TV shows, films and commercials in the US. The week of Aug 12, 2013 “Oasis” had spins on CBC Radio. It played on the CBC Radio programs “Mainstreet” (P.E.I.) and “The Bridge” (Windsor, Ontario).

Oasis is the first single from Drellander’s much anticipated debut album. As A & R Select says in their press release: ” Oasis is a metaphor for finding true love. Its message is inspiring, hopeful and creates a deep connection due to its relatable subject matter. This single has an arrangement of that of a movie soundtrack. It incorporates the depth of her skills, the passion of her writing, the beauty of her voice and has a mesmerizing effect on anyone who has the privilege to experience her music.”

In addition to being trained in music and having collaborated with some of the greatest classical voice/piano/composition teachers and performers such as Tamara Goulina (U of T), Eduardo del Campo (McGill, San Francisco Opera), Franco Tenelli (McGill, Metropolitan Opera), Vania Angelova (University of Montreal), Alexandre Solopov (McGill) and Nina Larionova Shishlova (Bolshoi Theatre), Tatevik has also studied science at McGill University and is a graduate of Touro College business school. She now teaches music and voice and her youngest student is 5 years old.

Tatevik is currently working on a few projects. Recently she co-wrote a ballad with producer/sound engineer Sean Michael Paddison called “I love you anyway” that is to be recorded and released this year. Sean has worked on a wide range of projects, including Grammy-winning, JUNO-winning, billboard charting singles and worldwide airplay. He is currently working with Chris Hau. Drellander also plans to record 3 of her original songs: a pop/classical duet “I can see a lifetime (when I look into your eyes)” with renown opera singer Franco Tenelli, a dance hit “Let the rain fall” with Montreal based producer/sound engineer Michael Makhin and another ballad “I’m so in love with you” with Toronto based producer/songwriter/manager/mentor Peter Linseman. Peter has written, produced & released dozens of national & international singles over the past few decades . He is managing the careers of TV Star/country pop artist Kate Todd and dance pop artist Stephanie Braganza. Peter made international history by writing/producing We Will Fly for Laure Shang, a successful single in China. He has also written & produced for Tanvi Shah (India – 2009 Grammy & Oscar Award winner for Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire), international dance pop artist Sarina Paris, international pop & Latin artist Rosita Stone. Peter is a Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) founding director, SIPO Foundation founding director and is an Accredited Juror for FACTOR.

Tatevik says: “I believe that my life purpose is to make people smile. Music is the perfect language to communicate emotions and share the love I have for people and life in my heart. Music is universal. It’s the language of feelings and it’s the only language that can break cultural barriers.”

This year Tatevik is participating in CBC Radio’s Searchlight Competition for Canada’s Best New Artist! Voting starts March 31st, 2015. Searchlight Link http://r3.ca/7lpK

Music Video for Oasis at http://www.youtube.com/drellander

Press Release & Demos: http://www.sonicbids.com/drellander Press/ Audio

Press Coverage http://www.drellander.com – Touro Mercury Article

Searchlight Link: http://r3.ca/7lpK

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drellander

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/drellander

iTunes Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/oasis-single/

Jango Radio: http://www.jango.com/music/Drellander/?l=0

Influences: Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzerald, Nat & King Cole, Diana Krall, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Patricia Kaas, Modern Talking, Pet Shop Boys, Europe, Whitney Houston, Sarah McLahlan, Tori Amos, Mark Anthony, Laima Vaikule, Calibri, Brian Adams, Queen, John Bon Jovi, Belinda Carlisle, Lauren Christy, Leann Rimes, The Pretenders, The Righteous Brothers, Depeshe Mode, Roxette.

Favorite songs: The time of my life; If I could spend my lifetime loving you; Color of the night; Circle in the sand; I will always love you, You’re always on my mind, Yesterday, I’ll stand by you, Black Velvet, Mercy, Someone like you, Power of love.

In addition to being trained in music and having collaborated with some of the greatest classical voice/piano/composition teachers and performers such as Tamara Goulina (U of T), Eduardo del Campo (McGill, San Francisco Opera), Franco Tenelli (McGill, Metropolitan Opera), Vania Angelova (University of Montreal), Alexandre Solopov (McGill) and Nina Larionova Shishlova (Bolshoi Theatre), Tatevik has also studied science at McGill University and is a graduate of Touro College business school. She now teaches piano and voice and her youngest student is 5 years old. She is also trying herself as a life coach by sharing inspirational & educational messages & various self help techniques with her friends.

Influences

Celine Dion
Mariah Carey
Whitney Houston
Adele
Lady Antebellum
Mark Anthony
Regina Belle
Brian Adams
Sarah McLahlan
Leann Rymes

http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/Drellander

Tatevik will definitely appreciate your vote.

Thank you!

Has Television lost its way?

In the last little while I have not tuned into watching television much and somehow it doesn’t interest me anymore like it used to. So many years back I was glued to it, watching so many different shows and everything else, however recently, something is preventing me from touching the remote control and resorting to social media and getting my news from the internet, communicating online, as well as how busy my life has become outside the virtual world.

Now the question is, has television lost its way? I seem to think so. Nowadays, there isn’t quality content like there used to be. Before this whole stream of reality shows, violence, adult content, coarse language, discretion advised warnings and the string of nothing but bad news has been broadcasted and I just cannot seem to watch anymore of it. I probably spend about an hour or 2 a week watching television with the exception of a few special shows which make me tune in a bit longer, however after that it becomes boring, repetitive and then my TV is shut off. A lot of bad influences come from television and the shows being produced now. Things that teens, children, youth and young adults are tuning in and that is where it becomes dangerous. They think and see it on television, so they thing its alright to do it in real life.

Back before even the 70’s, 80’s, early 90’s, you’d see great quality family values always being implemented, you’d see clean and very well thought of shows that you never got bored of, people were entertained for hours watching their favourite icons play their part, you’d see appropriate clothing, appropriate topics discussed and teaching life lessons to people of all walks of life, things that never offended or hurt anyone, shows that are still discussed up until today from people who grew up in those years.

There is just a couple of good things that are on television now, like the game shows and a few of those sitcoms, award shows, and special events. That is all I tune into. Do you think that TV has certainly changed in the last 20-25 years? I think so. I think it is getting worse and not better. I am glad the TV show reruns are showing at least.

Do you give yourself a time limit to watch?

I’d rather do something more productive like writing, communicating with friends and family, going out, cleaning, cooking, going out to the malls, going out seeing people, doing more hands on crafts, reading, being on the internet and learning so many new things, making new friends online, and so much more.

Do you watch television much? Do you tend to stay away from it?
What are your thoughts?

I want to Learn More Languages

Since I have been traveling in my life many times, especially in Spanish-speaking countries and tropical places, for many years now, I want to learn and perfect Spanish. As I go to all-inclusive resorts and I speak basic Spanish with the workers there and the locals when I leave the resort to go shopping and meet people on the streets, I want to take courses and learn Spanish from the internet as well, so as I can communicate with them with no language barriers. I only go as far as How Are you, Hello, hope all is well and all that, as well as saying thank you, However I am learning more and more as I go to these Spanish-speaking countries which is something that makes me feel awesome.

I think the more languages you know the better it is. I know 3 languages now which is Armenian, English and a lot of French. I want to learn different dialects of Spanish as well, and Arabic, German and a few others, however I want to begin with Spanish. I love to learn new things all the time and discover the world and have a universal language.

Knowing different languages and about the world, geography, and everything is so important to me. I love being aware of the world, and what goes on, and where countries are, what they speak and everything. It is so intriguing, and interesting to know. I just do not get involved in my own country and everything, I like to broaden my horizons and know the world, study maps, and places, which is why when I go somewhere I learn it right away and I am so observant about the streets and everything. All it takes is one time for me, and everything else falls into place.

It is also good to know more languages because then when you are somewhere and you hear people talking, you can understand what they say. Hopefully it will not be bad and something terrible said about me or anything. I remember one time I was in a store and I was going through the aisles, then I started talking in my language, Armenian not knowing the people in the same aisle were also Armenian, so I spoke with my mom and asked her in my language if you want to get this and what were going to use it for, then automatically both of those people said, OH Your Armenian? We said yes, then we began speaking to each other, then we became instant friends. Thank goodness we did not say anything bad or whatever, that would have been so awkward and it would not have been a good thing, so were always careful.

That is why it is always a good idea to always speak good things or whatever else that is not about the people around you in your own languages, because you never know, they may know the same language, and be of the same race, and then if something bad is said, it will not be a good thing. I truly believe that learning languages is an incredible thing. Many people find employment as translators and then they find many new opportunities and make a lot of money, they travel and do so much. I really should have gotten into that a long time ago, but it’s not too late. 🙂

How many languages do you know?

The Road to Beautiful Armenia

Hello, My name is Talin Orfali and I am here to introduce to you my motherland, my culture, my heritage, The Beautiful Armenia and its rich history. Armenia is located in the South Caucasus, which is bordered by Georgia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. The Official language of Armenia, is Armenian, However you can hear some Russian being spoken, road signs, store signs in Russian, and of course you can hear English as well.

the year 301, Armenia is the first country in the world that has adopted Christianity. The Armenian Church goes back many centuries ago and was founded by 2 Apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew. St Gregory the Illuminator was our first Catholicos (Our Pope), of the Armenian Church. He was held in a Hole for 13 years at church named Khor Virap(Khor Virab), which is located close to Mount Ararat, then he had finally be rescued and escaped the Dungeon. Our First ever Church built is the Holy See of Etchmiadzin in the city of Etchmiadzin. It is the oldest Church in the World.

Armenia is mountainous, with rivers, forests, ravines, and it is located mostly at 1800 meters above sea level. The highest point is Aragats Mountain at (4092m), and the lowest is Debed Valley at (400m). We also have our square, Yerevan square, which is Hrabarag. Yerevan is our capital.

The road to beautiful Armenia is incredible, the beauty of our hills and valleys, The Statues, Monuments, Churches, from our great and rich history include, the David of Sassoun, Vartan Mamigonian, Akhtamar, Garni, Geghard, Noravank, St Mary’s, Haghardzin Monastery, Mesrob Mashtots who is the Inventor and creator of The Armenian Alphabet which we have 38 letters, The Madenataran which is our Library with Saint Mesrob Mashtot’s Statue with our Alphabet in the front, There is St. Hripsime, St Gregory the Illuminator Church, You may or may not have heard about our writer William Saroyan. We have many authors, and important figures in our history, past and present.

Some of our Armenian’s include, Atom Egoyan, Andre Agassi, Andrea Martin, Charles Aznavour, Ross Baghdasaryan, Cher, Arshile Gorky, Steve Jobs, Kirk Kirkorian, Aram Khatchaturian, Alex Manougian, David Nalbandian, Raffi, Seymour Skinner who is from the Simpsons, Zildjian Family, System of a Down, Eric Bogosian, Capital Cities group (one of them is Armenian) , the inventor of the MRI ( Magnetic Resonance Imaging), Machine is also Armenian named Dr. Raymond Damadian.

Armenia is just so rich in history, culture, and so much more. Armenia’s flag consists of 3 colours, Red, Blue, Orange. Our currency of money is Dram’s. Check your local Currency for the difference. There is just so much history, so much to know about Armenia, the history, and everything else. If you are more curious, You can definitely search online for more information on our culture, beliefs, religion and so much more.

I had the pleasure of visiting my motherland the Beautiful Armenia in 1999 for the first time. I kissed the ground of Armenia when I first got off the plane. It was a feeling that was beautiful and I was crying with happy tears. It was an amazing journey that really touched my heart. I had gone to Armenian Saturday school and everything I learned came to life, and knowing that and feeling the presence of our history makers, ancestors really made me feel so incredible, knowing that where I may have walked, that several hundred and thousands of years ago, there may have been those people walking the same very steps, as I have took. It was a feeling I will never forget. To this very day, I never forgot the moments when I was there. I will never forget when I took a swim in our lake Sevan, where we put delicious and juicy watermelon in the water so it stays cool where we can eat it by the water.  I had gone to Armenia with my fellow classmates, and couple of my cousins, teachers and volunteers after graduating Armenian School in grade 8. It was a trip I never forgot and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

After returning from Armenia, I began to volunteer and utilize my time in the Armenian community as much as possible. I was in the Armenian community centers here in Toronto and the country more than I was at home. I have just recently began to come back into it all and it feels amazing. It feels great to give back to my community as much as possible.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Armenia and make that part of your travel plans to see the world, it is a must. You can obtain a tourist visa at the Airport, and you do not need any vaccinations or anything. Follow up with your travel agent, tour operator to obtain more information and your preferences. Also if you have any other questions of Armenia, do not hesitate to contact me. I really hope you enjoyed the Road to beautiful Armenia.

I am so proud to be an Armenian.

It Is Not About The Quantity Of Friends, Its About The Quality

In life we will come across so many people in our lives, and some think that the more friends you have the more popular you will be and the more better you will be, and that is wrong. You can have so many friends, you can hundreds of people being your friend and some people will be more concerned about having quantity instead of quality, well, that should not be. I’d rather have a few friends who will be by my side, to back me up, and to support, love and appreciate me for who I am. Everything should be mutual when it comes to friends. It takes two to tango and it takes both to be the backbone that keeps the friendships up. Also, don’t trust people so quickly, don’t give in so easily. Ask yourself a few questions, will they be loyal to you? will they back you up? How will they treat you? Will they use you? Unfortunately in society these days, you need to double triple check before you make friends with people and this day in age, trust has become so rare and there are people of all walks of life. Do you really want to put yourself in a predicament of hanging out with someone who will back stab, betray and use you?

In this life we live in now, we need to analyze people very well before we give our all, before we share our most personal stories and our life’s journey with them. It does take time to get to know someone, and friendships and good friendships take time to build. So you build your trust in accordance to how someone is, their actions, words, kindness, their honesty, their loyalty and the way they are to you and how they treat you. When you are out with friends at a restaurant, take a good look and observe, if they are rude to the waiter or waitress, or if they are rude to any other person, it makes you think and question, will they be like that toward me? Will they burst at me like that someday? Actions do speak a lot louder than words and then words and action play hand in hand with each other.

We must open up our eyes a bit more, be more observant, and not to trust people so easily. Take your time to get to know someone before you give it your all. You will know the quality and the friends you have, by just the way they are, you will know what to do whether to pursue the friendship or not. Disrespectful people who do not know how good they have it and take advantage of ones goodness, good heart, and those who do not care, and those who use you, those who spread rumours and share whatever happens to the world, is not a true friend. Some people do not even know the definition of a friend and that is so unfortunate. Take your time, don’t rush into friendships so quickly because you will be burned if you don’t choose your friends wisely and you can be hurt. I do not want anybody hurt.

My family, friends, fans, readers and all my other supporters, I want the best for everyone, and I am speaking through experience. I’ve been burned so many times from fake people, I’ve been hurt so many times, but all it takes is opening up your eyes, being more assertive, being more aware, being more observant of people’s actions, eye language, facial reactions, body language and more. It is so important to take a look at all of that. It will save the hassle in the long run and it will make you decide if they are the right friends for you and if you should continue it or not. It all depends on a person’s personality and the type of friends to choose, but in the end look out for you. Don’t put everyone in one basket, balance it and don’t give in too quickly.

Just take your time. There is no rush to friendships. You will find the suitable people for you. It will take time and effort, but never ever think friendship will never happen for you. Just be patient and go with the flow.  You would not want to go through havoc and trouble. Just believe in yourself and know that there are types of people for you that are suitable. Just relax and take it easy. I’d rather have only a few friends I can trust, depend on and share stories and things with, rather than having hundreds, that will only be their part time and not full time. So just go with your gut instinct and I wish you all the best.

It Is Not About The Quantity Of Friends, Its About The Quality

In life we will come across so many people in our lives, and some think that the more friends you have the more popular you will be and the more better you will be, and that is wrong. You can have so many friends, you can hundreds of people being your friend and some people will be more concerned about having quantity instead of quality, well, that should not be. I’d rather have a few friends who will be by my side, to back me up, and to support, love and appreciate me for who I am. Everything should be mutual when it comes to friends. It takes two to tango and it takes both to be the backbone that keeps the friendships up. Also, don’t trust people so quickly, don’t give in so easily. Ask yourself a few questions, will they be loyal to you? will they back you up? How will they treat you? Will they use you? Unfortunately in society these days, you need to double triple check before you make friends with people and this day in age, trust has become so rare and there are people of all walks of life. Do you really want to put yourself in a predicament of hanging out with someone who will back stab, betray and use you?

In this life we live in now, we need to analyze people very well before we give our all, before we share our most personal stories and our life’s journey with them. It does take time to get to know someone, and friendships and good friendships take time to build. So you build your trust in accordance to how someone is, their actions, words, kindness, their honesty, their loyalty and the way they are to you and how they treat you. When you are out with friends at a restaurant, take a good look and observe, if they are rude to the waiter or waitress, or if they are rude to any other person, it makes you think and question, will they be like that toward me? Will they burst at me like that someday? Actions do speak a lot louder than words and then words and action play hand in hand with each other.

We must open up our eyes a bit more, be more observant, and not to trust people so easily. Take your time to get to know someone before you give it your all. You will know the quality and the friends you have, by just the way they are, you will know what to do whether to pursue the friendship or not. Disrespectful people who do not know how good they have it and take advantage of ones goodness, good heart, and those who do not care, and those who use you, those who spread rumours and share whatever happens to the world, is not a true friend. Some people do not even know the definition of a friend and that is so unfortunate. Take your time, don’t rush into friendships so quickly because you will be burned if you don’t choose your friends wisely and you can be hurt. I do not want anybody hurt.

My family, friends, fans, readers and all my other supporters, I want the best for everyone, and I am speaking through experience. I’ve been burned so many times from fake people, I’ve been hurt so many times, but all it takes is opening up your eyes, being more assertive, being more aware, being more observant of peoples actions, eye language, facial reactions, body language and more. It is so important to take a look at all of that. It will save the hassle in the long run and it will make you decide if they are the right friends for you and if you should continue it or not. It all depends on a persons personality and the type of friends to choose, but in the end look out for you. Don’t put everyone in one basket, balance it and don’t give in too quickly.

Just take your time. There is no rush to friendships. You will find the suitable people for you. It will take time and effort, but never ever think friendship will never happen for you. Just be patient and go with the flow.  You would not want to go through havoc and trouble. Just believe in yourself and know that there are types of people for you that are suitable. Just relax and take it easy. I’d rather have only a few friends I can trust, depend on and share stories and things with, rather than having hundreds, that will only be there part time and not full time. So just go with your gut instinct and I wish you all the best.

My Heart Feels Heavy Today – I am So Emotional

Today has been a really tough day where my emotions are on a roller coaster. You know how you get that feeling when you meet your sweet online friends face to face and then eventually have to go on separate ways? Well, today its become a hard battle for me. I just love them so much, and they mean the world to me. They are like my sisters and have become part of my family in a way. We have talked so much in the last 3 years and have shared incredible and beautiful moments together which I will not forget. On my birthday last year, on this station called Radio AGA, They had my number and so they called me on my birthday to wish me a happy birthday and I remember I had just finished driving and my phone rings. I was heading out with friends for my birthday and all of a sudden all my friends from Online say their happy birthdays to me. It was so cute! I will never forget that. among other things that have happened which are so incredible. I just can’t believe we finally met. It was like a dream. It came by and went again, but I am going to make a trip soon to go see them. I need to see them. It was so hard to let them go. Very hard. I was crying and balling my eyes out and I couldn’t control myself yesterday. I miss them so much already. I had never encountered such sweet people in my life. They have been there for me through thick and thin and in the past 3 years online, they have always helped me in situations and they have always made me smile.

I know I spoke about this topic yesterday, but today I am getting into this deeper. I truly felt how genuine my facebook friends are and how beautiful and great they are and I sensed it when we added each other from the beginning and when we made eye contact and met each other for the first time this summer and last summer, I truly felt a connection between us and it was something so special and I will never forget it. Ever for the rest of my life. Those memories will always be with me in my heart, mind and soul. I love them so much and they have become part of my family. My lovely sisters and brothers whom I will always cherish. I am going to see them soon and I am so excited, but I tell you it was a hard moment when we had to say our bye’s. God bless them and always keep them safe.

In my language in Armenian we say Jebid and that means smile, but we always respond with Siroumem which means you are loved always and that is what we say all the time, So Jebiddddd To my lovely Family of Facebook!

 

My Other Favourite Radio Station RADIO ARC

I am excited to announce that there is another radio station that I really began to love too. RADIO ARC was founded this year of 2012 and owned by my dear friends Ara and Sako. They are great people whom I have known for over 2 years and a bit more. They always have this incredible energy and love for the language of music and music is a universal language that unites everyone together. I have met many people who share the same interests as me and we have become a huge family online. I have hung out with the owners of RADIO ARC and they are a burst of energy and they really know how to have a great time and welcome everyone. They are very humble people and I am so glad to have met them. Radio ARC plays a variety of music such as Armenian, Arabic and Greek Music. I really enjoy this radio station A lot. Radio ARC Comes right from Montreal, Quebec and its from my happy place. It doesn’t matter how many Radio Stations there are, I believe that uniting people and just being part of these families are so great.

Soon, I will be making a trip to the Radio ARC Studio and visit and see the action come alive. God bless Sako and Ara and all the best to them and their Radio station. So glad to know you both and so glad to have you part of my life. Enjoy it guys and Keep it real like you do already.

Please visit — http://www.radioarc.com and you can visit and like RADIO ARC on Facebook.