Background
Born in Tehran, Iran, he was raised by his mother, a concert pianist, and his aunt, an opera singer and Ikebana master.
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Armen Ra
Edit ProfileCareer
Ra and his mom left Tehran in 1978 just before the Revolution, he was in his mid teens. He taught himself to play the theremin. His music fuses Armenian folk music with modern instrumentation, along with melodic lounge standards and classical arias.
His concerts are known for their combination of both visual arts and his music
Ra has played at The United Nations, Wiener Konzerthaus Mozartsaal Vienna, CBGB"s, Knitting Factory, Louisiana MaMa East.T.C., Joe"s Public, Boulder Museum of Modern Art, Lincoln Center, The Gershwin Hotel, B.B. King Museum, and Dietch Projects. He has been featured on and appeared in: Cable News Network, Home Box Office, Music Television, Video Hits One, Vogue, The New York Times, The New York Post, The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, and Glamour.
He has performed and recorded with various bands and on many projects (including a collaboration with British recording artist Marc Almond, on the song "My Madness & I" from his 2010 release, Varieté). His debut solo Civil Defense, Plays The Theremin (released on Bowl & Fork Records in 2010) showcases many Classical Armenian laments and folk songs, representing both Armen"s Heritage and his very first musical influence.
He has a cameo appearance in the film Party Monster.
He currently resides in Hollywood, California. In October 2010, Ra appeared as a guest judge on the Logo Network show The Arrangement
Ra appeared on the cover track "Everyday is Halloween" playing the theremin for Sharon Needles" album Procter and Gamble-13. In 2014, he played the theremin for Voltaire"s album Raised by Bats.
