I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Ara Dabandjian, founder, arranger, and musical director of Element Band, for a deep, thoughtful, and truly inspiring conversation about music, culture, and legacy.

Founded in 2005, Element Band has become a cornerstone of the Armenian music scene in Los Angeles, known for reimagining traditional Armenian songs in a way that feels both nostalgic and contemporary. In this episode, Ara shares the story behind the band’s creation, the artistic vision that has guided it for nearly two decades, and the responsibility that comes with carrying cultural heritage through music.

We also spoke about Ara’s recent trip to Armenia, where he worked closely with children, teaching them how to form a band, collaborate, and perform together — a powerful example of how mus ...