Armen Firman: Rocking onwards and upwards

Melbourne five-piece Armen Firman have been making waves since the release of their debut EP Your Name In My Skin in October of last year. The five track offering was the result of months of home recording by the intrepid group. The EP was lauded by critics across the board – The Dwarf's own Felicity Rennie stated of the EP "This is some serious stuff, and for a five track EP, a very exciting snapshot of what is to come from these five strapping young lads. Check this out before their name is not just on your skin, but on the tip of everyone’s tongue."

Despite the success of the EP, Armen Firman have chosen not to sit on their laurels and bathe in this glory. They are already back in the studio recording the follow-up release. The as-yet unnamed EP is due out mid-year and marks an important transition for the band as they consolidate their sound and create a cohesive vision of just where Armen Firman are at, circa 2009. The group, founded five years ago and in its current form of Tommy Whitty (vox/guitar), Sam Whitty (guitar), James Saunders (vox/bass), Rob Rambaldi (keys) and Matt Millar (drums) for the past three, have become favourites of the Melbourne live music scene. They’ve scored some prestigious opening slots, for which the band are infamous for unconsciously stealing the limelight from the more recognisable names coming after them on the bill.

Despite the critical recognition, Armen Firman still have their feet planted firmly on terra firma, as Sam Whitty reveals, "The warm reception of our first EP was reassuring. We recorded music that we liked and part of the reason we liked it was because we felt it was different. I wouldn't say it was a relief, because public support was never the point, but it was a pleasant surprise to find out there are so many like-minded people out there."

Principal songwriter for the band, Tom Whitty (and Sam's brother – the surnames are not merely coincidental) explained in a recent interview, the end of the sessions for YNIMS saw the band 'find' their sound. The Dwarf asked Sam just what finding their sound entailed for the rest of the band. "I think as a songwriter Tom started to hit new ground just as we were wrapping up the recording of YNIMS so we felt like we were finally achieving a sound that was sitting comfortably with us all." Sam adds, "The newer material we are playing and recording at the moment feels more like us, which I think is what he meant by that. That’s not to take anything away from our first EP. I just think we are more comfortable with the sound we are achieving now."

As Sam further reveals, the lessons from YNIMS will inform the new material, "I think when it comes to recording, you’re always learning. At least I certainly think that is true for a band as green as us. If I had to be specific, I guess the last EP taught us to trust our instincts a bit more and maybe take a few more risks in the future. Hopefully we’ll apply that to the EP we’re currently working on and not live to regret it!" And what of the new EP, what can be revealed to the already salivating fans? "Well the tracks are definitely a lot darker and I think the overall EP has more direction. If you’ve been to a gig of ours recently, chances are you’ve heard a lot of the tracks we’re working on." Sam reveals, continuing, "Tom and Jim wrote the lyrics for the tracks we’re currently working on. From my perspective there seems to be a reoccurring theme of anxiety and medicating that with the affection of someone else. There’s also a futuristic quality to some of the lyrics, which is interesting. I’m not sure where that has come from."

On YNIMS Armen Firman worked closely with Franc Tetaz, the man behind such modern-day masterpieces as Gotye's Like Drawing Blood and Lior's Autumn Glow. The Dwarf enquires, will this be a continuing collaboration or are Armen Firman looking to forge new artistic partnerships? "We're actually looking at working with a variety of producers this time around, just for a change really." explains Sam. "It's really exciting for us to be able to work with someone separate from the band who might have a fresh perspective on the songs. Having said that, Franc is incredible, so we've been staying in touch with him throughout the process and he'll definitely be mixing at least one track," adding cautiously, "assuming he likes it."

Armen Firman will be showcasing this new material at Melbourne's Evelyn Hotel on Wednesdays throughout March. It is as it would seem, that the Fitzroy drinking hole and pulsing live venue has become something of a home ground for the lads, with them having graced their stage on a fairly regular basis for the past two years. The Dwarf asked Sam if the venue was yet to name a cocktail after Armen Firman. "They really should, shouldn't they?" And what would be in this potent mix? Sam considers before answering, "Probably 90% alcohol, 10% blood, sweat, tears, coffee, air freshener, love, lust, lube, amyl nitrate, ambition, ambivalence, incompetence, incontinence, nicotine, valium, vicodin, marajuana, ecstacy and... well, I already said alcohol."

Aside from the hallucination-inducing cocktails potentially on offer at The Evelyn during March, what else can punters expect from their Wednesdays in March? "It should be fun." Sam says, "We’ve not done a residency before. We really like Stray Love so we’re just looking forward to hanging out with those guys and catching their set each week. We’ll also be playing some of the new material we’ve been recording, which is exciting for us."

Catch Armen Firman and Stray Love during their joint residency at The Evelyn on Wednesdays throughout March.

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