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Music 94 | May/June 2011 MUSIC, LIKE ART, CAN TAKE YOU TO A DIFFERENT WORLD – ONE OF YOUR OWN DESIGN, WHERE YOU DECIDE WHAT THE MOOD WILL BE AND WITH WHOM YOU’LL SHARE IT. IT TAKES MORE THAN RAW TALENT TO CREATE MUSIC; IT TAKES SKILL, PRACTICE AND TECHNIQUE. ONLY AFTER THESE ARE PERFECTED CAN YOU CONVINCE OTHERS TO JOIN YOUR WORLD. SEBU SIMONIAN AND RYAN MERCHANT HAVE CREATED NUMEROUS WORLDS THROUGH THEIR MUSIC. Text Ani Garibyan | Photo Armen Poghosyan | Wardrobe Styling Houri Mahserejian | Photographer Assistant Angela Mikayelyan A WORLD OF CREATION he merger of two creative play the guitar and other musical mindsT can make wonders. Ryan instruments on his own and Merchant and Sebu Simonian have honed his craft through private taken their love and talent for music instruction. His love of music to another level. They are two was sparked because of the late needles in a haystack who happened Michael Jackson, specifically to find each other. With talent, hard Thriller. “Michael Jackson put work and determination, this team music into my consciousness,” of two not only jams to their own he said. Jackson was also a great beats but also converts masses of influence on Sebu who studied people to join them, and be a part of music from a young age and their worlds. received his bachelor’s degree in Writing comes naturally to Ryan; music from CSUN. “I fell in love perhaps his English degree from with music because of Michael’s USC plays a role. He learned to ‘Billy Jean,’” said Sebu. THE SINGLE “SAFE AND SOUND,” ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR A COLA AD AND REJECTED, NOW CAUSES STRANGERS TO DANCE WITH EACH OTHER AT THE BAND’S LIVE SHOWS. 2011 May/June | 95 RYAN’S LOVE OF MUSIC WAS SPARKED BY THE LATE MICHAEL JACKSON, SPECIFICALLY THE THRILLER ALBUM. “I AM OBSESSED WITH MUSIC, RYAN ADMITS. IT FREES ME AND BRINGS OUT A SIDE OF ME THAT PEOPLE DON’T NORMALLY SEE,” HE SAYS. Sebu Simonian Others such as Stevie Wonder, Jimi marketing – knowing the audience and Ryan Hendrix, Jamiroquai, Joni Mitchell, and organization. Merchant Air, Phoenix, Empire of the Sun, Some of the discarded material Their recordings MGMT, Radiohead and Pink Floyd that they composed gave them are done out have impacted their music and ideas to write their own music, of Sebu’s own their creations for Capital Cities giving them the catalyst to studio, Stereotrain – their “intelligent, electro-pop, create Capital Cities. “The name Rehearsal and dance, rock, melodic band,” as of the band is made to bring Recording Studios. described by Sebu. together people from different For over eight years, The duo met in 2008, and now backgrounds and to just have fun the studio has been as the musical minds behind through our music,” said Ryan. used by musicians Lazyhooks, Ryan and Sebu write Indeed, the universal appeal of including Everlast, jingles – composing the music for the band has attracted many t.A.T.u, KillMatriarch, advertisements. They have worked followers. Their live shows are The Dirty Diamond, with major companies and have unique from other gigs. The mood Viza, Far East a few more campaigns lined up of the room is lively and buoyant. Movement, Johnny throughout 2011. Among their You tend to forget your problems One Match and accomplishments with Lazyhooks when you enter a show put on by Jivan Gasparyan Jr. are: Shaw - Together is Amazing Capital Cities. and Jet Pack, Honda - I Wanna The surroundings include people Ride and The Knock, Walmart - wearing ridiculously large Slimfast, Muscle Milk - Warriors, colorful sunglasses, soap bubbles Titleist - This Ball, Glucerna - coming from the stage and lots of Balance. jumping and dancing. They have also worked with “The single ‘Safe and Sound,’ Coke, Pepsi, Nike, Home Depot originally written for a cola and University of Phoenix. Both ad and rejected, now causes Sebu and Ryan contribute to the strangers to dance with each songwriting and playing. When other at the band’s live shows,” needed, they hire extra musicians said the band. It is difficult not to accompany them. “We are to get into that mood if the first contacted by the company and words you hear are, “I could lift most of the time are sent the video you up, I could show you what concept of the advertisement. To you want to see, and take you that video, we compose music,” where you want to be, You could said Sebu. be my luck, Even if the sky is “We are highly critical of one falling down, I know that we’ll be another, which helps us produce safe and sound.” great music.” To be successful in Sebu and Ryan are continuously this type of work, you need quick working on new material for both turnaround and a feel for what the Lazyhooks and Capital Cities. They mass audiences will be interested will soon tour the United States in. Aside from composing music, to continue sending vibes of joy, this industry requires the skill of tolerance and togetherness. 2011 May/June | 97.

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