Ian Gothe
Memento
Gothe’s debut full length album, Memento, is a thoughtful collection of wistful self-composed songs and brilliantly arranged covers that invite listeners to participate in his goodbyes, his yearning for home, and his reflections on the music that has defined and inspired his life. Gothe co-produced Memento with GRAMMY winning producer & engineer Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty) at Jim’s Plyrz Studios in Valencia, CA featuring performances by all-star musicians: Derek Frank (Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani), Fernando Perdomo (Jakob Dylan, Fiona Apple), Tamir Barzilay (Macy Gray, Tal Wilkenfeld), and Sam Babayan (The Dirty Diamond.) Ian and Jim decided not to rehearse the band prior to going into the studio. “We wanted to let the magic happen and capture it in its first precious moments” says Gothe.
"Liezah" is the 5th video for the album 'Memento' which premiered in AmericanaUK
Ian's take on Liezah follows the story of a modern day Robin Hood starring Katie Shorey, and directed by Prince Bagdasarian.
"Andalusian Moondance" is the opening track from 'Memento'. During isolation, Ian choose to make a video for "Andalusian Moondance" from existing footage as the song had always vividly evoked the imagery of a horse in the desert. In his mind's eye he would always see a horse galloping when the guitar part comes in. Diego Pernia's "Desert-Directors Cut Short" merged with Ian's musical visions.
"Take Me Home" is the third single from the full length album 'Memento' which premiered in
American Songwriter is happy to premiere this video, “Take Me Home,” from the new album Memento by Ian Gothe, which is being released on February 7.
Produced by Gothe with Grammy-winning producer and engineer Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty), it features the playing of many luminaries, including Fernando Perdomo (Jakob Dylan, Fiona Apple), Tamir Barzilay (Macy Gray, Tal Wilkenfeld), Sam Babayan (The Dirty Diamond), and Derek Frank (Shania Twain, Gwen Stefani).
It’s his debut release on Blackbird Record Label, the California-based label started by Manda Mosher. To celebrate its release. Gothe is doing a record release show at Hollywood’s Hotel Café (Main Stage) on Saturday, February 8.
The video was directed by Martin Yernazian and filmed in different locations around the Southland, including Montrose, which is Ian’s home, as well as Flintridge, Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena. Sung in Armenian (with translated lyrics attached), the song reflects the artist’s history of being born and raised an Armenian in Iran. At 14 he started traveling the world, and eventually settled permanently in Los Angeles.
“I wrote `Take Me Home,'” said Gothe, “as an anthem for one of the defining questions of my life: ‘Where do I belong?’
“As I was grappling with emotions suspended in a loss devoid of closure, ‘Take Me Home’ grew to become an ethereal journey through dreams, memories, and imagined futures. The moment in the video when I kneel in the cemetery is meant to underscore the role of loss in fueling the human drive to belong. The sojourn throughout the video taps into the desire to escape, a desire we all have at some point, knowing full well that pain will follow in the mind, soul and heart.
“Employing the metaphor of dream and the fairytale beauty of the Armenian landscape, a reflection of what I imagine to be my soul’s home, I created a tale that captures the universal experience of longing to uncover a sense of being, all while losing that which never existed.
“With this song, I attempted to create a space to contemplate loss and question the uncomfortable ambiguity of existence. My hope is that by painting a picture of dreams and the desire to find home with enough textures and colors, that listeners can contemplate their own journeys.”
"Blood On The Rooftops In Montrose" is the second single from 'Memento' which released on December 6th and premiered in Stereo Embers Magazine.
“A stirring number played with finesse, precision and heart, ‘Blood On The Rooftops In Montrose’ is a riveting display of soulful musical virtuosity. An homage to Steve Hackett, the instrumental track not only showcases Gothe’s spellbinding dexterity, it demonstrates the sophistication and sheer artistry of his compositions. The follow-up to ‘Spanish Caravan,’ which was the first single from Gothe’s debut album Memento, ‘Blood On The Rooftops In Montrose’ is further proof that Memento is one of the most widely-anticipated albums of 2020. Along with dazzling originals, the album also contains masterful interpretations of numbers by The Doors (‘Spanish Caravan’), The Coral (‘Liezah’) and The Bee Gees (‘Holiday’).”- Alex Green for Stereo Embers Magazine
Stream/Download "Blood On The Rooftops In Montrose" HERE
’Blood On The Rooftops In Montrose’ is my homage to Steve Hackett. The intro to the song is by Hackett paired with my original piece. The song is about a couch potato, and I keep the theme of televisions as I use the classical guitar lines to reflect our connection to technology. The subtlety of the lines allows the listener to disconnect from a world that’s overwhelmed by the current sense of connection through technology. ‘Blood On The Rooftops In Montrose’ is a way for the listener to unplug and experience relief. In the video we provided a gentle slower pace with the angles and edits to support this idea.” - Ian Gothe
"Spanish Caravan" is the first single from 'Memento' which released on November 1st and premiered
"Gothe's debut single--a beautiful, deeply personal cover" - Guitar Player Magazine
"I love it! It's tough to cover Doors songs because the originals are so iconic. But Ian wasn’t afraid to stick to the original format, and did a great job of capturing the feel. There's a new flamenco/rock movement happening now in Europe - maybe Ian will lead the way!" - Robby Krieger, guitarist, The Doors
Born to an Armenian family in Iran, Gothe spent much of his adolescence traveling across continents in search of a home. A childhood filled with loss and loneliness provided the impetus for Gothe to continually turn to music as his friend and confidant. His initial inspiration came from a recording of The Doors “Spanish Caravan”, a song well known for its complex and compelling guitar rifts that still capture audience’s attention today. Gothe was not immune, and his petition for a guitar of his own was driven by his desire to play those well-worn, haunting lines with ease. After Gothe and his hard-won guitar left Iran before the revolution, the 14 year old lived with family in England and later made his way to the United States by way of a year in Baltimore before finally settling in Los Angeles, where he lives today.
Memento
Memento begins with a hauntingly melodic flute piece, “Andalusian Moondance”; a dreamy start to an album that unwinds with unrelenting musical prowess mixed with delicate beauty. Classics such as the Bee Gee’s “Holiday”, Camel’s “Airborne”, and The Doors’ “Spanish Caravan” each come to life with passionate arrangements and masterful instrumentation that reflect Gothe’s devotion to these pillars of his artistic musical history. Interspersed with these canonical songs are originals such as, “Take Me Home”; written in Armenian, the evocative melody is his lyrical tribute to the universal longing to return home. “Tired Little Eyes” which closes the album is also written and performed in Armenian. A delicate lullaby written as a tribute to Gothe’s late younger brother and a reminder that his brother will never be forgotten. In both “One Of These Days”, a mournful original ballad and “Final Hour”, a song by Katherine Pawlak, we hear Gothe pay tribute to both love and family as he seeks to let go. “Liezah”, a beautify cover of the jaunty British song by The Coral provides a cheery tribute to Gothe’s time in England. ”Blood On The Rooftops In Montrose” rounds out the album with an instrumental thoughtful introspection.
Contact
Label: Blackbird Record Label - Manda Mosher manda@blackbirdrecordlabel.com
Press: SRO PR - Mitch Schneider mschneider@sropr.com & Kelly Walsh kwalsh@sropr.com