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Friday, September 05, 2008
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Blog Plagiarism
Category: Blogging
Is it plagiarism to write someone else's ideas as your own, in your own words in a blog?
Strange subject to bring up, perhaps. But I wonder what ethics play into it, or lack there of. Hmm.
For example: say, "Hypothetically", you have an acquaintance. They're someone you think might be a friend, a fun person, very chatty, and you divulge your thoughts in conversations about…oh, lets say…I don't know…a city you're both moving to. You have clear thoughts about this city, what it's like, its people, and how this acquaintance would probably fit in there. You share these thoughts quite openly with them, and they don't really respond in agreement. They just don't say anything.
Months, or maybe a year or so later, you've already realized this acquaintance was a bit questionable and you disassociated with them long ago (faster than you could say ~ Pathological Liar ~ ) and out of curiosity you wonder what was in this blog they were always trying to get you to read. So, you read it, at last, and feel like you are reading your own words. "Huh", you think, "maybe it's a coincidence" and keep reading only to discover more of your conversation typed in first person. Basically, this acquaintance you no longer associate with typed up the things You said as their own ideas.
It's likely they speak your ideas to others as their own, in typical con artist style. But spoken words (especially bs) is easily forgotten and quite obvious. What about written bs in a blog? Technically, isn't it plagiarism? Are there little virtual blog police you could report them to? Ha.
1:36 AM
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Monday, April 14, 2008
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Where’s The Music?
It's coming, I promise. For so long I had to set aside some other interests and artistic expression to focus on Juxtaposed, its promotion, etc. This bit of a break from, what was it, the zoo? the state fair? no, no, that's right, the circus ;-) was much needed to make room for some writing, and other art.
Also, one must live to have something to write about, no? So, the shapes these original compositions are taking are actually surprising me. Music I never thought would interest me seems to be having an influence. And, with the few arrangements of covers I'm tempted to strip down completely and rebuild as something almost unrecognizable.
I've said too much already.
Back to work…
6:19 PM
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Wednesday, January 30, 2008
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Entitlement to Jealousy
Ever since I stepped aside, temporarily, from performing and promoting, etc, I've had time to reflect a bit. I realized that in the past few years I've come across some interesting personalities, and experiences. I must say, even a small amount of success or 30 seconds in the limelight can bring out interesting behavior in people. Both as the recipients of attention or as observers of it.
What I'm having trouble justifying, or making some sense of is this matter of jealousy and envy that people express either directly or passively. It's by no means limited to the entertainment industry or to industry at all. I think it's all very personal. It seems some people just believe, genuinely, that they hold a right to be jealous of others for their successes or for being happy. Friend or stranger can blatantly resent, and feel entitled to do so, for no real reason. What is that about exactly? And, how could anyone not be embarrassed of being jealous?
As I understand it, it takes quite a bit of emptiness and misery within to feel envy. You have to be pretty unsatisfied with your own self to focus so much on others. But where does the entitlement come from? Is it arrogance? And isn't arrogance a choice? I believe that ethics and morality are things we choose to include in our personalities. So, if you choose to be arrogant (which usually stems from ignorance) it's really no one's fault but your own, no? And if you are that miserable, so much so that you can't even love yourself enough to be fulfilled, who is stopping you from improving your own life?
So, I think, maybe, instead of hating on people who have what we want, one could direct that energy into improving their own self first. Learn to appreciate what you do have perhaps. In the end, we are each responsible for the world we create and the life we live.
And that's my two cents.
6:07 PM
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Saturday, December 08, 2007
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Siroun Manoushag 2003
This 2003 recording of Siroun Manoushag features Masaru Koga on soprano sax (not a flute) and was the first track on my demo. Back then, when I was little...
5:43 PM
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Thursday, October 11, 2007
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Taking some time...
…to write.
It may have been noticed that things have slowed down in terms of performances & other activity for me in the past few months. It's been time to work on some new music and discover the creative adventures ahead. So, in order to make room for what brought me into this business in the first place; music, I will be taking a break from the Indie Hustle for a bit. As much fun as it is, everyone needs a break from the circus, no?
Already the ideas are flowing and I'm really leaning toward more composition and arranging of old favorites in new ways. What manifests of it remains to be seen. But I guarantee it will be original and creative.
As I step away briefly I want to share something I've observed but haven't voiced. It's unfortunate that in a business and industry, in my case the Independent scene where artists rely so heavily on one another, and where one would assume that artistic integrity is more valued, we find "artists" themselves are at times the ones participating in destructive and abusive competition. I guess you can play instruments, write songs and still lack basic human morals… simultaneously. That's the way it is, I know. It's just unfortunate.
That said, I will be around 'maintaining' as I focus on the creative aspects of things. I'm looking forward to sharing some original songs and perhaps new takes on the greats as we embark on another journey.
Much Love,
Sarine
4:30 PM
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Monday, August 27, 2007
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Agos Newspaper Interview
Hello Dear Friends,
Some news I'm excited about, and honored really. Agos Newspaper is a bilingual (Armenian - Turkish) Weekly in Turkey, with an new English on-line edition. If you don't already know Agos was edited by Hrant Dink up until recently when he was killed earlier this year by deniers of the Armenian Genocide, folks who do not want the Armenian Genocide to be discussed, or recognized etc.
I recently gave an interview with them and it was published.
Much Love,
Sarine
July 20, 2007
Agos Newpaper
Turkey
by Sayat Ayik
First of all, what's the meaning of your name?
SB: It depends I guess on which source you check, but Sarine (Sarin) in Armenian means "mountain rose" or "the best of the mountain roses". In my
last name "bal" I've been told means honey in Turkish.
You was born in Armenia and you was rised in both Lebanon and United States. Could you tell us about what's the difference between ways of living (life styles, social and cultural patterns) of the Armenians in this three Country?
SB: Well, I am Armenian, born in Beirut and I've lived in the US since I was a child. The more Armenians I meet, whether in Armenia, Lebanon or the States
the more obvious it is to me that we're all from the same place. But I think we focus so much on differences that we forget about that. There is no doubt that we're all a little different and have been influenced or have become accustom to certain ways in our host countries and cultures. But if you pay attention when around Armenians of a different group than your own, and look past the obvious traits you can see the similarities. It's all a matter of how you look at it.
Have you got musical heroes? Could you tell us who are they? Why?
SB: So many to name. Just about anyone who was brave enough to stand out from the crowd and introduce something new or unique. Also people who have been able to make a change in the way people think about music. I think it's a powerful thing to be able to come into a listener's life and effect them in some way.
Some singers who've done that for me are Ella Fitzgerald, Fayrouz and most recently Nina Simone.
With which mentors did you study to date?
SB: In college I studied with Hafez Modirzadeh, an incredible saxophonist and
ethnomusicologist, among other things. I really have to credit him for getting me on this musical journey that I am on now. Sandy Cressman, I studied vocal technique with for a few years. She always had confidence in my abilities, and still does. She was able to bring so much out of me as a singer and musician, it's amazing really. I've had many teachers over the years and they've each taught me at least one important lesson that I'll have close to me, always.
"Juxtaposed" is your first studio album, isn't it? Which sound or genres
influences in? You said that: "My music is an expression of who I am and what I am inspired by; music that allows multiple cultures to exist in the
same space." Could you enlighten that?
SB: Yes, this is my first full-length CD release. A couple of years before that we recorded a 4 song demo CD which got the idea for "Juxtaposed" started. The CD is influenced by a few different genres and disciplines. There is America jazz, some Latin & Brazilian jazz, Armenian folk, Arabic folk and European classical music. There is also some poetry and free-form improvisation.
In college I had to choose a genre to study and I chose jazz because I thought it would give me more freedom to be creative. For the most part that has turned out to be true, but not entirely.
I never liked having to choose one thing to belong to. I don't see that the world works in that way. At least in my experience it doesn't. This collection reflects that philosophy.
People need to be aware that musical genre, really is mainly important for marketing purposes and doesn't or shouldn't matter otherwise. As artists we truly can't be defined by labels, we're just artists. Just like we're just people. I can love the sound of a cello as much as I love the oud sound, or be moved by an opera singer as much as a blues singer. There is an element in music and art that is more significant than genre.
Do you think that jazz music becomes more popular in last years? What's the matter of that?
SB:It seems that jazz is becoming more popular recently, especially with younger audiences which may be surprising. One reason might just be that it's great music. No matter how much highly commercialized and "dumbed-down" music you force onto people, although there's a time and place for everything, nothing compares to music, or art for that matter, that is full of emotion. You could surgically implant a cellular (mobile) telephone to a person's ear but you couldn't remove his soul, or his heart. Those things can be oppressed but not removed. A 30 second ring-tone can't compete with the real thing.
Could you tell us about which musicians are performing with you? Does any member of the band get involved in individual side projects?
SB: Of course, they're all involved in other projects. I just get to borrow them once in a while. That's the beauty of playing jazz is that you alwaysget to work with new people and learn from each other. That's how you growas a musician, just like in life.
Walter Bankovitch (piano) I've known for a while, he plays a lot with singers and instrumental groups as well. He also was the accompanist for a choir I sang with. It takes a certain kind of talent to play jazz piano wellwith a singer.
Eugene Warren (bass) and I have been playing together since my Senior Recital in college. He takes on any crazy ideas I throw at him, he's very willing to take a new or unusual approach to things which makes it a lot of fun to perform and collaborate with him.
Which guest artists performed in "Juxtaposed"?
SB: My dad came and sang with me on Giligia. That was great. Also my mentor Hafez Modirzadeh played saxophone with my good friend John-Carlos Perea (electric bass). They came and recorded the Koyoutiunes piece. The poem was written by my late uncle Hampartsum, and we did a free form improvisation to it. That was a great experience too. We had some classical musicians as well for Giligia. Stephanie Blandino, a teaching colleague of mine, plays cello, and Nora Maki classical piano.
Which contemporary Armenian musicians (all genres) you reccomend for us?
SB: There are so many great contemporary musicians out there right now, it's hard to choose just a few. I would recommend all of them. Datevik of course is a personal favorite of mine. If I have to choose I would recommend acouple of groups that I think are close to perfection. One is a group in Belgium, Arax. And the other would be Katuner (Gaduner) in Yerevan.
Do you have other vocations? I think you are a lecturer too. Which school we should study to become your student?
SB: I have been invited as a guest lecturer in the past in university and as a panelist on discussion about Armenian music. I mostly teach music to younger students. So right now to study with me you would have to go back to age 8 (haha). But you never know about the future.
What's your interests, except music?
SB: Creative writing is something I enjoy greatly. I love to dance, which I never get to do nearly enough of. Also, maybe sounds strange but, I'm fascinated with ethnomusicology. But that's music too I suppose. Politics I find quite interesting and irritating all at once. People in general, human behavior is interesting.
What have you been working on lately and what about future?
SB: I'm thinking about the next recording project right now and bringing ideas together. I really want to compose, write for myself next time. Or somewhere down the road. I also am working on a writing project I started a while ago. Maybe soon I'll have that completed and published. Right now feels like a time to gather all the ingredients for what's about to come.
2:12 PM
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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Standing Room Only! Portland 3/24
Thank you to everyone in Portland who came out to Abou Karim this past weekend! Many of you were unable to get tables, forced to stand to watch the performance. Be assured that we will be back in Portland, very soon, to make it up to you!
Thanks for making the evening a huge success!!
Much Love,
Sarine
9:59 AM
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Sunday, February 18, 2007
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RadioPhone.gr Review
SARINE BALIAN
JUXTAPOSED
Saucy Records
A heterogeneous but interesting compilation of songs for a special voice.
Of Armenian descent and grown up in Lebanon in the 80's, Sarine Balian lives in the USA where she keeps in touch with her native community. She sings in the Armenian, English and Spanish language as she considers that a language is never enough to express what she as an artist is supposed to render. Thus, familiar Latin and jazz compositions coexist with a typical eastern melancholy free of references to ethnic commonplace. It proves her sound musical background perfection in terms of technique and the overall outcome is remarkable. Such a release should at least deserve a bit of a better production.
www.radiophone.gr
12:06 AM
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Saturday, December 30, 2006
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Goodbye 2006
Current mood:  happy
Where did the year go? Someone please tell me...did it go by faster than other years, or might it just be me?
First, I need to share how grateful I am for all the folks I met this year, and the awesome people who have come into my life/career. More than I ever imagined... They say when one door closes another opens, but I think there was more opening and less closing this year. Though there was some closing, or closing but not all the way, just a little crack left open : )~
Since the very beginning of 2006 I've been busy recording and releasing the CD. So much of the year has been like a time warp. Two weeks after the completed CDs arrived ready to sell I hit the road for a couple of months to Los Angeles, Texas and Armenia. Since returning back home things slowed a bit around the holidays and I've been trying to have a bit of a break before we start the footwork to promoting, booking etc. Right now I'm just glad my friends here at home still love me : )
The displacement anthology project that my good friend Kim Shuck and I started this summer is still in the works. That also slowed a bit because I was gone. How things have changed in Lebanon since the bombings... we've had to rethink our approach a little. Throw in a good dose of politics in the mix and we have complication. I'm confident though that the anthology will have the integrity we set out to have regardless of political climates. It's a book of poetry after all, how much havoc could it cause? hmmm...
I'm so looking forward to 2007 and all that it has in store. If it's anything like this past year I can only imagine the wonderful things I'll have to write about this time next year.
Lastly, indulge me for a moment as I get sentimental. I was honored to be part of some friends' wedding ceremony this year and in their honor (because they're so cool) and as something to take with me into the New Year I want to share an excerpt from one of the readings. Maybe it will inspire others too...
Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, is not pompous,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrong doing
but rejoices in the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.
11:21 PM
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Saturday, September 23, 2006
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Yerevan
Here it is, my last day in Yerevan. Last night was the show at Naregatsi, and it went very well, I'm happy to say. My first time performing here has come and gone now, and I can't wait to come back.
This past month in Armenia…I can't sum up in one sentence, or one book even. There seem to be many layers to Armenia in general. The first couple of weeks were the most challenging with everything a diasporan has to pass through with their first presence in the homeland. As time passed I met more folks, and got a better sense of what life is like here right now. I'll be the first to admit that there is still so much more for me to discover.
I've met some of the warmest and kindest people here. The folks at Naregatsi are wonderful. I've also made new friends, great friends, who are both locals and diasporans living here or having a long stay. Mind you, I've also come across some not so great folks, they're here just like anywhere else in the world. But, it's complicated to explain the realities of life here.
Jazz in Yerevan
I had the pleasure to meet and work with some of the best, young jazz musicians in Yerevan. And that is in no way an over-statement. There is incredible talent in Yerevan that is not heard or acknowledged other places as it should be. The skill level, education, and passion for jazz is above and beyond. I dare say, matching the celebrity jazz musicians elsewhere. Oh, and in addition to fierce talent, these guys are nice, surprisingly modest, and ready to play for the sake of playing. Imagine that!
Overall, this was a wonderful trip, with all its good points and bad. I know I will miss the people here and the lifestyle. I also know that I will be back, soon. The ideas have already sprouted for future projects; it's just a case of deciding which to conquer first.
6:30 AM
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