With her brand new EP, Պանզի, recently unleashed onto the airwaves, Armenian artist BONZIE pops over to &ASIAN to tell us about the many brilliant pieces of art that have crafted her into the artist she is today.
Djivan Gasparyan – I Will Not Be Sad In This World
This album by Armenian duduk master Djivan Gasparyan was my first entryway into the sound of the duduk, and it’s where my deep love for the instrument started. My love for the duduk and this record is what eventually lead me to make my own live performance record featuring the duduk, Պանզի EP.
Djivan famously played on Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator soundtrack, as well as played duduk on a Jerry Goldsmith score in the early 90’s. He toured with Hans as well as Peter Gabriel. He’s a duduk legend. This album of his is my favorite of all of his work— solo duduk masterfully played against duduk drones.
The duduk has a round, warm, slightly aspirated sound that I just love. The traditional way of performing it has unique bends and riffs that are so appealing. There’s a reason it’s considered to be the “voice of the Armenian soul”.
The title I Will Not Be Sad In This World is poignant considering Armenian peoples’ history and their perseverance as a diaspora. Indeed, to live beyond a genocide that wiped out most of the population, to then progress into the world thriving, it has required a decided toughness from the Armenian people. The juxtaposition of that concept of resilience with the despaired sound of the duduk is an accurate representation of the plight of Armenians. There is a deep, persisting sadness within the culture due to the genocide and the unresolved politics of it, but the Armenians have not let that darkness define their existence in this world.
AR Rahman – “Kun Faya Kun”
This song was my number one most streamed song of 2025. I love AR Rahman’s works — in particular, this 6 minute spiritual masterpiece is stunning. It’s like a diamond — there is a certain perfection to its composition and recording, but it is a perfection within nature. It’s naturally unbreakable. Every time I listen to it, I discover something new I love about it, and new moments of beauty within its sections and transitions.
It’s a part of a soundtrack AR did for a Bollywood film entitled Rockstar, and the whole soundtrack is great and a favorite of mine.
The translation of the lyrics of this song is an Arabic phrase found in the Quran. It translates to “Be, and it is”. It reminds me of the Christian concept of “God is”; representing the soul’s connection to the Divine in the moment of creation. These spiritual concepts are universal, no matter the language, religion or nationality. Music can best communicate that transcendence, and this song is a great example of that.
Destiny of the Dzidzernag: Autobiography of Varteres Mikael Garougian
This is a “work that made me”, firstly, because this is my great-grandpa’s book and I’m literally made of his DNA. It’s also the story of my family, which, growing up American highly removed from the situation of my ancestors, knowing my roots has influenced me more than I can say. This book is an autobiography describing what my great-grandpa experienced in the Armenian Genocide in 1915. It’s extremely difficult to read, but it’s a work of truth. Somehow, my great-grandpa knew it was important that he document what happened using his literacy.
I can only imagine the bravery he had, writing down inexplicable traumas, despite the extreme oppression he faced.
Now, this book is in University libraries across the country, including UCLA and USC, and is considered a rare primary text historical record. I’m so proud to come from my great-grandparents and grandparents, who understood the dangers of discrimination and fascism so acutely, and who lived their lives in accordance to that knowledge.
Chak-De India
This is a film directed by Shimit Amin that I absolutely love. It’s starring superstar Shah Rukh Khan and features a cast of women from all over India. Very unusual for an Indian film of its caliber, most of the women in the cast were making their film debuts, which gives the whole movie a cool vibe. Without being preachy in the slightest, there is a strong message of unity between states in India, and a message of strength and empowerment for women and women’s sports.
The stories of each of the girls are moving and realistic, and portrayed with nuance. The movie is also just extremely entertaining and an exciting watch. Whenever I feel frustrated with some aspect of being a woman in the music industry, I remember this film and think to myself “Chak-de India!”, and it gives me strength. That’s how well this movie was made.
The music of Judee Sill
I remember when I first discovered Judee’s music years ago, when I read in an interview with one of my favorite musicians Jim O’Rourke that his favorite song of all time was “The Kiss” by Judee Sill. I had to go listen for myself, and it was a moment of instant awe. In terms of songwriting, she is one of the very best. Her ideas of chord movement, harmony, and lyrics are beyond this world.
Much like another favorite artist of mine, Daniel Johnston, she had a tendency of using Christian images in her lyrics, potentially a sort of unconscious mode of poetic expression when you grow up in religious environments— it tends to leave an impression. In any case, we can’t help but feel the spirituality inherent in music at times.
Her music, as well as her tumultuous story in the music industry, has influenced me greatly and reminds me to not try to be anyone other than myself. It’s okay to be unusual. It’s actually great.
Պանզի is out now. BONZIE can be found on Instagram here.
