Viza Percussionist Talks About April 24 Concert And Community Effort to Support Armenian Orphanages

News clipping from LA Times coverage of last year's Silence the Lies concert.

BY RAZMIG SARKISSIAN

The El Rey Theatre will be sold out Saturday April 24th as various Armenian bands including Viza, Element, The Dirty Diamond, and R-Mean join together for the “Silence the Lies, Rock the Truth” benefit concert, scheduled to start at 8:00pm.

“Music is our way of connecting with people and being able to get a message across to a wide range of audiences – especially human rights activists as it’s the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide,” explained Chris Daniel, Viza’s percussionist. “It’s the least we could do to give back to the people back home and for us to create not just an artistically powerful night but an experience of unity through our music.”

This year’s “Silence the Lies, Rock the Truth” concert will provide financial assistance to two important benevolent projects. The Armenian Relief Society’s “Armenia-Artsakh Orphan Project” and “the Bird’s Nest Orphanage” in Lebanon both provide vital support and assistance to needy Armenian children abroad.

“The donation of the money is both symbolic and practical in its importance,” Chris added, “It is a gesture of solidarity and support – something to help them get through difficult times and show everyone we do not forget those that need us.”

Through the various instruments he plays, Chris carries on his Armenian culture and history through his music. “I’d have to say speaking and connecting with the younger generation of Armenians feels fulfilling to me because I feel like I’m doing the great deed of what my elders had done for me. We as the youth and future leaders of our generation, we carry on our culture and history.”

Viza, formerly known as Visa, is a mix of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Eastern European and Latin cultures. A nine person band, Viza demands the attention of its audience mixing joyous times with educating individuals about the past that they have not forgotten.