Zola Jesus Covers Armenian Folk Song “Krunk”: Listen

“I first heard the song ‘Krunk’ (Crane) while listening to a collection of songs sung by Lousine Zakarian, a renowned Armenian soprano,” Zola Jesus said in a press release. She continued:

Her recording was so devastatingly beautiful, it spoke to me on many levels. The song evoked so much yearning and sadness, yet at the same time it felt so delicate, like her voice could lift off and fly away. It felt like the purest expression of the ineffable Armenian Soul. I never thought I’d be able to do the song justice, and I still don’t, but the song is so meaningful to me that performing it became a compulsion. Once I heard about the crisis happening in Artsakh, my heart really pained for the Armenian people. They have survived genocides, wars, battles for autonomy and independence, and now this—fighting to reclaim a sacred place that represents so much of their ancient heritage and resilience. I wanted to honor and pay my support to the Armenian Soul, and to acknowledge all the lives tragically lost this year in the war with Azerbaijan. Proceeds of this song will go to the Armenian Fund, to help support the needs of civilians on the ground in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).

Last month, System of a Down released the new songs “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz.” Proceeds also benefitted the Armenia Fund.

Zola Jesus released her most recent studio album Okovi in 2017. Earlier this year she dropped a live album titled Live at Roadburn 2018.

Read Pitchfork’s list “The Story of Goth in 33 Songs.”