[Continued from Part 2]

By this point, Armen’s look had evolved to what I came to call his “Ursa” look (an allusion to the Kryptonian villainess, who escaped from the Phantom Zone, with General Zod, in Superman II ).  With slicked hair (and the occasional spit-curl), wearing fantastic ‘80s-era pantsuits with broad-shoulders and nipped-waists, by Thierry Mugler, Claude Montana, and Azzedine Alaïa, and his flawlessly executed make-up, the effect had become equal parts Klaus Nomi and space-age lesbian.  It was perfect for the alien-sounds that emanated from his instrument (that he had dubbed “Yma” after the mid-century Peruvian chanteuse with the astounding five-octave range, about whom he’d been made aware, in his teens; when, upon hearing him playing a Nina Hagen album, Armen’s grandmother said “Hmmm…  Reminds me of Yma Sumac, that one.”)

Then, a funny thing began to happen.  As it normally does with such things, yesterday’s awkward teen becomes today’s supermodel.  To wit, while initially embraced by those receptive to the eccentric or out-of-the-norm (i.e., a gender illusionist playing an obscure electronic device), Armen’s appeal grew to include ever larger and more appreciative audiences.

To date he’s played at such acclaimed venues around the world, as the United Nations (New York), the Frank Geary-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), the Nokia Theater (New York), The New Museum (New York), the Villa Petraia (Florence), and at Vienna’s Wiener Konzerthaus Mozartsaal, as well as the Park Avenue Armory (New York), alongside The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black, for the Whitney Biennial.  He’s also performed with Antony and the Johnsons; has collaborated with Marc Almond; and toured with Nick Cave & Grinderman.  His first solo performance, at New York’s Gershwin Hotel, was covered by CNN’s Jeanne Moos.  Armen has graced the covers of magazines, including the premiere issue of Venus (photographed by Todd Oldham) and the UK’s Girltalk (photographed by Tim Palen); and has been photographed by Roxanne Lowitt for AMICA Germany and Vogue Italia.

So what does any of this have to do with the cost of tea in China?  Well, I’ll tell you.

After years of being told “Wow.  Your life is like a movie!” someone must’ve paid attention.  Enter producer Matt Huffman and director/editor Robert Nazar Arjoyan, and before you could say “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” they were in pre-production on the documentary When My Sorrow Died: The Legend of Armen Ra & the Theremin.

Just a few days (and less than $200 away) from making their $25,000 goal on IndieGogo.com, the film is destined to be a favorite of the festival circuit, and is already garnering buzz.  So go on, click on the link, and give a dollar or two to what Armen always called “supporting your local drag.”  Before long, the cameras will be rolling, and you’ll be able to wish Armen (who was born, ready for his close-up) some luck, by yelling “Break a lash, Girl!”

When My Sorrow Died: The Legend of Armen Ra & the Theremin
Click
HERE for info and to contribute

Get into it!

The world’s greatest hip-hop collective returns this weekend with the second edition of the history-making WU-TANG CLAN: THE SAGA CONTINUES… THE LAS VEGAS RESIDENCY