In the ever-evolving landscape of Americana, Laura Zarougian stands out as a unique voice, bridging the gap between her Armenian roots and the twangy sounds of American folk and country. She refers to this genre as “Armenian Cowgirl.” With her forthcoming release, a two-song single featuring “Double-Sided” and “New Used Car,” Zarougian proves once again that she’s not just another face in the crowd but a formidable artist carving her own niche in the industry.
Zarougian’s sound is a captivating blend of gritty Americana and heartfelt storytelling, infused with subtle nods to her Middle Eastern heritage. It’s a combination that has caught the attention of notable figures in the music world, including DJ Aja Whitney of Radio Woodstock WDST, who named Zarougian’s debut album Nayri one of her favorite albums of 2023. Jonathan Aird of Americana UK went a step further, listing her song “Back To Me” as the No. 2 song of 2023, posing the question, “Are you ready, dear loyal listener, to hear a new voice that we guarantee you’re going to love?”
Her new songs, recorded with her band Little Tree, showcase Zarougian’s growth as an artist and her ability to paint vivid pictures with her lyrics. “Double-Sided” and “New Used Car” are sonic journeys that take listeners from Brooklyn sidewalks to Midwestern skies, all filtered through Zarougian’s unique perspective as an Armenian-American artist.
“These songs reflect two different styles – a lyrical ballad and a rocking romp,” Zarougian explains. “They represent my two sides and styles, which is fitting since one of the tracks is called ‘Double-Sided.'”
The recording process for these singles was a departure from her previous work. While her debut album, Nayri, was recorded in-studio with Sean Walsh of The National Reserve, this time, Zarougian and her band took a more DIY approach. “When we decided to record these songs, we checked out a few studios in the area,” she recalls. “However, because of financial reasons and time constraints, we opted to track everyone in their homes.”
This approach allowed for some creative flourishes, like the Spanky and Our Gang-inspired intro to “Double-Sided,” complete with background chatter and clinking glasses to set the scene of a bustling bar. It’s these kinds of details that make Zarougian’s music so immersive and authentic.
Zarougian’s journey as an artist began long before she picked up a guitar. Born into a family of refugees and immigrants from the Middle East – Lebanon, Turkey, and Egypt – she grew up steeped in the rich traditions of Armenian folk music. However, it was the American folk tradition that truly captured her heart, with influences ranging from Joni Mitchell and Tom Rush to Joan Baez.
“Armenian folk songs, much like the American folk tradition, are strongly linked to the land – the mountains, trees, and birds,” Zarougian muses. “These are places that we can’t return to, except through the memories within the music. Songs preserve a place, a moment, or a feeling in a relatable way.”
This connection to place and memory is evident in both of her new singles. “New Used Car” paints a vivid picture of a tumultuous relationship, with lines like “New used car with no license plate on it / Staring at me like I was a target.” Meanwhile, “Double-Sided” takes listeners on a journey through Brooklyn, with references to “Narragansett tall boy cans” and “Gospel songs on the stereo.”
Looking ahead, Zarougian shows no signs of slowing down. When she isn’t writing or listening to music, she is slinging vintage cowgirl boots and vinyl records with her husband and drummer, Michael Alan Hams, in New York’s Hudson Valley. With these new singles under her belt, she’s already thinking about future projects and collaborations. “I love collecting records, and I am always looking for new artists and albums,” she says. “At the same time, there are artists I am always returning to – Odetta, Taj Mahal, Emmylou Harris. My husband and I are also always on the lookout for Armenian Dance or ‘Kef’ records. I feel like all of these sounds permeate the music I create.”
As for what’s next, Zarougian hints at incorporating more traditional Armenian instruments into her music. “I hope to incorporate oud, duduk, zurna, and other Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments in my music,” she says, further cementing her unique place in the Americana landscape.
With her blend of Americana grit and Armenian soul, Laura Zarougian is an artist to watch. Her new singles “Double-Sided” and “New Used Car” are out September 13th, offering listeners a taste of what this Armenian cowgirl has in store for the future.
RIYL (Recommended If You Like): Emmylou Harris, Lilly Hiatt, Waxahatchee, Caroline Spence
PAST PRESS
“Laura Zarougian’s sound is rather special – she grew up on the coast of the Atlantic, but the sounds spinning around her head were a mixture of sixties and seventies folk legends and the Armenian folk songs that her grandparents passed down to her.” – Americana UK
“Zarougian’s songs fuse influences of American folk and traditional Armenian music, a unique genre the artist affectionately terms “Armenian cowgirl.” – Hudson Valley Magazine
“A charming, churning, and emotionally charged outpouring of raw humanity and deep, inner longing.” –Atwood Magazine
“The music of Laura Zarougian draws on everything from mystical desert rock to the wistful classics of Emmylou Harris and Neil Young in order to tell the story of her forebears.” – Various Small Flames