ABC Breakfast News interviewed artists Taqi Khan and Ivan Khatchoyan, participants in Multicultural Arts Victoria's Visible 8 program in 2013. Director: Cesar Rodrigues (Blank Tape) Camera: Cesar Rodrigues Edit: Tim Marriage & Cesar Rodrigues Blank Tape Video Productions blanktapevideoproductions.com.au --- TAQI KHAN Taqi Khan was born and grew up in Jaghuri district in the Ghanzi province in Afghanistan. Throughout his life his family faced many hardships and difficulties in Afghanistan and eventually fled to neighbouring Pakistan. Despite the difficulties in his life Taqi successfully completed his BA in college and was very active in social and political activities. In 2003, Taqi began to perform and write music under the guidance of respected Hazara musician Abdulkhaliq, and later Mukhtarnazpapo. Taqi was a member of the Koshar Organisation in Quetta, Pakistan, which was a cultural and arts organisation. During that time he performed and recorded many Hazara songs, despite the danger to do so. Taqi Khan was imprisoned twice due to his political actions and his commitment to the maintenance of Hazara culture. IVAN “CHOI” KHATCHOYAN Canadian born of Armenian descent, Ivan is a versatile producer, drummer, sound engineer and composer. He is a founding member of well known Melbourne acts True Live, Cookin on 3 Burners and Candice Monique & The Optics and joined TZU in 2008. Some of his studio credits include mixing Cookin on 3 Burners ‘Soul Messin’ (Freestlye UK), Candice Monique & The Optics ‘In My Soul’ (Freestyle UK), and the sure Shot Hunters album 2008. He has also worked widely as a session artist including Mercury Prize 09 winner Speech Debelle’s new album ‘Speech Therapy’. This is Ivan’s third year as a mentor on the Visible program. --- The culmination of a year long music mentoring program, the Visible 8 album showcases the talent and diversity of the program’s participants and the fruits of the strong and enduring relationships developed throughout the project with their mentors and producers. The album features songwriting collaborations between Ethiopian bassist and songwriter Yospeh H. Bekele and The Cat Empire’s Harry Angus, while 16 year old Sinit Tsegay wrote her first ever original with iconic Melbourne singer/songwriter Jen Cloher. 19 year old Australian Indigenous musician Yirrmal teamed up with Blue King Brown’s Carlo Santone and producer Craig Pilkington (Archie Roach) to record a heart wrenching and beautiful dedication to the Octopus, the creation spirit who lives under the ocean. Jess Fairfax, Project Officer said, “Multicultural Arts Victoria’s Visible Mentoring Program is aligned with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 2005. It is a unique music mentoring program that for over eight years has given a kick start to many emerging musicians from refugee and Indigenous backgrounds through linking them up with established producers, musicians and industry representatives to open pathways and networks into the industry enriching Australia’s music landscape with the diverse cultural expression.” The program provides skills development and opportunities to strengthen the musician’s portfolio and promotional materials through equipping artists with a professionally recorded track, Electronic Press Kit and high quality press shots. The beautifully crafted EPK videos, produced by Blank Tape Video, introducing the artists and the stories behind the music can be viewed on MAV's Visible 2013 playlist. Visible 8 is available for purchase on iTunes, MAV's Bandcamp and website where you can also find the past seven Visible releases. Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria and the Scanlon Foundation

• published: 09 Feb 2016
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