[Cover photo credit to Travis Shinn]
Serj Tankian, both artist and activist, is releasing a new 5 song EP titled Perplex Cities on Oct. 21st, 2022, via Serjical Strike. Perplex Cities is his second EP in the last couple of years, following his 2021 release of the Elasticity EP. Tankian releases diverse types of music each time there’s a new collection, and this one is no exception.
In his words:
This whole collection of songs within Perplex Cities is a completely different sound than what I’ve done before. More electronic, subtle and deeper in terms of its layers of presentation musically. Perplex Cities gives off an aura that is unique and unlike my previous releases.
Before reaching the music streaming platforms next month, each track off the EP will be made available via a free augmented reality experience featuring Tankian presenting the five tracks himself. Via the app, he will be appearing in the same space as the listener-viewer to explain the music and listen along. The first such immersive experience is available now, with the release of “Pop Imperialism” via the Arloopa app. You can heck it out HERE.
Over the course of the next four weeks, the remaining 4 songs from Perplex Cities will be made available in the same fashion, with each track being released successively after another. The full EP will be available on all major streaming platforms thereafter, on Oct. 21.st
For those interested in his musically composed art, Tankian will be debuting new paintings at Stephanie’s Gallery in the Los Angeles area beginning Oct. 9th, 2022. The exhibition is titled “Shapeshift – a dynamic dive into diversity” and extends through Nov. 1st.
As with his previous artworks, each of these new paintings will be accompanied by a musical score that corresponds with the paint on canvas and made accessible via the same Arloopa app.
On April 29, 2023, Tankian will also play a unique concert with the debut of “Invocations” at The Soraya in Northridge. Composed and performed by Tankian, these new works will bring in the CSUN Symphony, ethnic instrumentalists, and a variety vocalists, including Tankian.
