System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian has been steadfast as a political activist over time, and he’s properly conscious that his beliefs may come at the price of dropping a some followers of his music.
Tankian admitted that he was “okay” with that reality in a brand new interview with NPR, citing his want to be an artist slightly than simply an entertainer.
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“I’m okay with that as a result of an artist isn’t presupposed to please everybody,” Tankian stated. “An artist is meant to principally attempt to obtain by way of the collective consciousness no matter truths that we’re making an attempt to stay by, the truths of our occasions. If we will’t try this as artists, then we’re entertainers. From day one, you must make that alternative: Are you an entertainer solely or are you going to be an artist?”
He continued, “Should you’re an entertainer, that’s cool; there’s many entertainers I comply with and love. However in the event you’re going to be an artist, then the highway just isn’t going to be simple. You’re going to should be trustworthy with your self and everybody else always, and individuals are going to love you and individuals are going to hate you, and that’s okay.”
It’s value noting that Tankian isn’t the one member of System of a Down whose robust political opinions may flip off some followers. Drummer John Dolmayan — who can also be Serj’s brother-in-law — has made quite a few public statements supporting right-wing beliefs which can be in full distinction to Tankian’s politics. Nonetheless, Tankian considers himself “extra of the activist within the band than anybody else.”
“There was all the time this push and pull between the message and the music,” Tankian stated. “The opposite guys, rightfully so, didn’t need the music to be victimized by the message always. I understood that as a result of I cherished the music as properly, however when there was [a message] that wanted to be dispersed, I felt like that was simply as vital, if no more vital, than the music.”
Tankian’s NPR interview got here within the wake of his new memoir, Down with the System, which got here out every week in the past. As for System of a Down, the band has a headlining date at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on August seventeenth (get tickets right here).
For extra on Serj Tankian, keep tuned for Heavy Consequence‘s upcoming interview with the SOAD singer.