#1ALoves: Dhol Drums and Synth Dreams from this Armenian-American Producer
Want more ways to stay “hye?” You’re in luck because this week, 1ALoves is back and better than ever. With new recommendations for delicious eats, music to get you moving, and innovative fashion from Armenia and Armenians across the globe, we’ve got you covered.
What We’re Reading (and Eating!)
We all know that when it comes to delicious food, the Armenian kitchen is where it’s at. And it looks like the rest of the world is finally catching on. Over the past few weeks, popular food and drink blog Tasting Table has published pieces on a few Armenian favorites. We recommend giving them a read, and putting together this Armenian feast yourself. Start with manti, crispy meat dumplings served in broth or tomato sauce and drizzled with matsun or yogurt. Then, help yourself to a heaping plate of fassoulia, string bean stew braised in a garlicky tomato sauce. For dessert, sit down for a cup of strong Armenian coffee and gata, golden wheels of sweet bread filled with khoriz, a mixture of sugar, flour, and butter.
Who We’re Following
@armenianexplorer | Armenia
@b_e_r_t_a________ | Yeghegis, Vayots Dzor Province
What We’re Listening To
British-Armenian producer Hagop Tchaparian is coming in strong with the debut of his first LP Bolts, which Rolling Stone is calling one of the best dance albums of the year. Assembled from stray recordings Tchaparian collected over 15 years of travels, the album also features instruments from his Armenian heritage like the dhol drum and zurna, which are folded seamlessly into each and every track. The crescendo of the album comes with the track “Right to Riot,” where the dhol comes back with a new sense of urgency in each beat before being reunited with the zurna and interwoven with music samples and heavy synth. An album rich with different auditory textures and influences, Bolts is a culmination of personal narrative and emotional catharsis.
What We Want
Invest in the future of Armenian design and craftsmanship
Developed in 2017 as an offshoot of the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies and inspired by Armenia’s rich artisanal heritage, TUMO Studios is a free educational program for university-aged students and young professionals that offers workshops in jewelry, pottery, embroidery, printmaking, fashion, product design, and more. Its aim is to cultivate a new generation of Armenian designers and artisans who raise the quality of locally produced goods and make them competitive globally. You can support their initiative directly by purchasing from their online shop, which features student-made products — from jewelry to homeware to clothing to stationary — and ships internationally. All proceeds go directly towards expanding its educational program, paving the way for more students to develop design skills and explore their creative potential.
This edition of 1ALoves was initially published as a newsletter on November 15, 2022.
