BY LILIT ARABYAN
The Armenian musicians who make up the rock trio LeaveItAlone share more than an ethnicity and a love for music – they share a need for cathartic release through artistic creation, and the talent that brings this to life.
The band will perform Saturday, April 23 at the Troubadour in a concert hosted by Viza lead singer K’noup.
With much more to offer than your average LA band, LIA brings a unique perspective to the musical scene: it offers musical catharsis to its listeners as well. Show-goers, who range from metal-head teens to gypsy-punk enjoying musical veterans, are given a glimpse of the band’s own realities and experiences.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, Chris Daniel (Percussionist of VIZA) and Narek Stepanian (formerly of Red Snow) share similar experiences from early on. Henry Vartan, who grew up in Jacksonville and Oklahoma, brings his own experiences to the group. 2008 was the beginning of their musical collaboration. LIA’s inspiration to write often stems from a personal or shared experience.
Through collaboration and an overwhelming desire to create, the three write their music as a unit. With Chris on the drums and vocals, Henry on the guitar, and Narek on the bass, it seems the instruments are in line with their varying personalities. There is a positive aura about the band, as I sit to watch them rehearse for the upcoming show, hosted by Viza’s K’noup, on April 23 at the Troubadour.
They play a song titled “Stranger,” and each member’s distinct contribution to the band becomes clear: Chris – the fervid chaos, Henry, the pensive adagio, and Narek, the amiable darkness. The three sounds merge together beautifully.
LIA’s driving force seems to be pure, raw emotion. To them, music achieves closure for some of life’s turbulence. The band’s signature metal sound is definitely juxtaposed by the calm, intellectual, down-to-earth and sometimes humorous nature of each individual band member.
In anticipation for the upcoming show, and with hopes that LIA will not be leaving us alone anytime soon, I leave the talented group of musicians to their rehearsal.
Visit the band’s site at myspace and Facebook for the latest news about LeaveItAlone.
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