Their music was a real discovery for me. The first time I heard the music of The Dirty Diamond was at the concert of the vocalist and founder of the band, Sam Babayan, and it was astounding.
The music and the lyrics were really awesome, unique, tempting, sexy and fun at the same time. Luckily, I had a chance to have a nice talk with this wonderful person afterwards. And this talk drew me to fall in love with the songs even deeper than before.
Sam is the real image of a man who is supposed to share his music with the world. His words come from his soul, they’re never fake, and they bespeak all the good and bad experiences of his life and his amazing love towards it. It was enough to ask him one single question about his music and I could already see his eyes shining.
Never before had I met someone who is so taken away by what he does and so totally devoted to it. For me, Sam became the embodiment of how a band leader should be.
It was somehow surprising to hear how much he knew about different cultures and how deeply he was interested in combining different, sometimes even contradicting ideologies not only in music, but also in lifestyle. Beginning from crazy love towards a Native American, passing on to Armenian culture (Sam is Armenian), and ending with some details of Buddhism and Hinduism world outlook, he strings together everything, in order to draw the best he can get from life. And this attitude is reflected in his music.
Of course, the songs are the merit of the whole band. The members are Sam Babayan, vocals and guitar, Alexy Shant, guitar and backing vocals, Adam Schalke on guitar, Hiuro Mardirosian on keyboards, Gabe Noal on bass and Shay Godwin on drums and backing vocals.
You just HAVE to listen to their songs or visit their shows in Los Angeles; they’re awesome. It was amazing how the crowd got crazy about the songs “Stranger’s Angel,” “Life’s A Breeze” and “Calendar Expires.” And though these are the overall favorites of the fans (as well as mine), every single song is incomparable.
The music seems to be somehow influenced by the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Doors and other classic rock bands, and keeps the traditions of old-times-good-rock. But all in all, it turns out to combine all of that with modern details, becoming a mixture of blues, classic rock and adult alternative, something totally different that you’ve never heard before.
One thing I can say for sure: I’m so looking forward to visit LA and be at one of their breathtaking shows again, I can’t wait for it. This music pictures the magic and the reality of life, and this contradiction brings it to unreachable heights, you never want to stop listening to it.
You can get more information about them on their official web site and myspace page - http://www.thedirtydiamond.com and http://www.myspace.com/thedirtydiamond.
Photo © www.thedirtydiamond.com
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