The Bambir, a rock band from Gyumri, Armenia are launching a full American Tour in March of this year. They will land in Los Angeles, then head to Austin, Texas to showcase at South by Southwest (SXSW), the world’s largest festival of its kind. The Bambir is the first band from Armenia to receive an invitation to perform at the festival. Showcasing artists perform for an international audience of producers, managers, industry representatives and fellow musicians.

The band has been invited to Chicago to record an album following their showcase in Austin. The band will play shows in Los Angeles, Austin, Chicago, Boston, Nashville, New York and other cities they come across along the way.

To make the tour possible, The Bambir launched a crowd-funding campaign on IndieGoGo- a platform which allows for direct collaboration between the band and the public.

The Music and Arts community in the Post-Soviet State of Armenia and the greater Caucasus region has yet to fully integrate into the fold of the international arts community. As the first band from Armenia to receive an invitation to SXSW, The Bambir’s presence will be an official groundbreaking. As representatives of the Caucasus’ contemporary music scene, The Bambir will bring attention and acclaim to this region; especially to Armenia. Following their 9-month residency in Ireland and subsequent return to Armenia- The Bambir are validating the concept that artists can maintain Armenia as their home-base while still taking part in the international arts community.

In January The Bambir released the INDEX EP, live sessions from the basement of the Gyumri Dramatic Theatre where the ceiling was constantly leaking and actors were on a permanent vacation. The band has released something raw, chaotic and fun.

In December 2013 the band recorded a second EP, the “Winter Sessions”, which will be available in February, 2014- prior to their departure to the U.S.

The American EP will be the band’s third official release of 2014.

The Bambir are descendants of the legendary folk-rock band Bambir.

The Bambir is Narek Barseghyan (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Arik Grigorian (Vocals, Flute, Guitar), Arman Kocharyan (Vocals, Bass) and Vardan Paremuzyan (Vocals, Drums, Percussion).