System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian joins Zane Lowe on Apple Music to discuss his solo EP out tomorrow ‘Elasticity’. Serj tells Apple Music how the project came to be, being an untrained musician and how his unique approach to vocals has evolved over time, and what sets Tool apart from other bands. He also discusses the importance of work ethic for artists, why he enjoys scoring films and television, his hopes for society post-pandemic, the pros and cons of social media, and what’s next for him.
Serj Tankian Tells Apple Music What Sets Tool Apart…
I’ve played Tool to people that don’t listen to modern music… And of different cultures, to a number of amazing musicians from different cultures. Who had never heard Tool, and not big rock listeners. And they appreciate the non-traditional time signatures, the way that it carries through the vocals. It’s like, you don’t need to be a lover of rock music, to like Tool. Which is amazing. I remember one Oz Fest we were playing, Tool was headlining. And when we first met the guys and, started talking and whatnot… But yeah, there’s a handful of bands, Rage, Tool, in our rock world have really, really been incredible. How do I say? At least musically, I mean, as people as well, because I’ve befriended them over the years… They’re nice guys. Yeah. Just incredible creative within the genre, that defined themselves as beyond the genre, right? And that’s not common, and that’s beautiful. And the fact that I’ve known those guys, and toured with them and it’s a beautiful life experience really. And, and friends with them, too which is incredible.
Serj Tankian Tells Apple Music About Focusing on Family…
As soon as I had my son in my 40s, I made that shift, and I said, “Family’s more important than everything else to me right now, and I want to see this being grow and spend more time with him.” So I dedicated myself to that, and that means less travel, less touring, less whatever. So be it. Obviously, COVID hit and it became even more so insular of a lifestyle. But at this point, I’m ready to go back to New Zealand, bro. I need these kids… I need my kid in school.
Serj Tankian Tells Apple Music He Didn’t Get Into Music To Travel…
I didn’t get into music to discover the world or travel. I got into music because I love music, and that’s the only thing that I really, really wanted to do. It was my path. And I thought I would wake up every day, walk into a recording studio, and work on new music. But most of the time was spent traveling and doing promo and many, many things over the time. And I always wanted to go back to basics and go back to the studio and work. But I am so grateful because the travel really, obviously like it does to anyone, expanded my world horizons, being able to have seen museums in pretty much every major city in Europe and South Africa, the United States and Australia and New Zealand, and just being able to really experience different cultures.
