What started as a song to spark Armenian pride in one community… turned into a worldwide anthem.

On this episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan sits down with rising artist Tonee Marino—the creator of “Hayastan”—to talk about the moment everything changed, performing in front of massive crowds, and what it really means to represent your culture on a global stage. From Long Island to arenas… this is more than music—it’s identity, pride, and purpose.

We also welcome someone doing great things in the Armenian community. Lia Avanessian, founder of Invite Only Events, who pulls back the curtain on luxury weddings, high-pressure moments, and the real truth behind building a brand in today’s social media world.

💥 In this episode:

The story behind the Armenian anthem “Hayastan”

What it feels like hearing a stadium scream your song Armenian vs Italian roots—who runs the household? 😄

The truth about support in the Armenian community

What people get WRONG about marketing themselves

Behind-the-scenes chaos of luxury weddings Faith, purpose, and staying grounded in success 🎤

Plus: A rapid-fire round that gets real, funny, and unfiltered.

📲 FOLLOW OUR GUESTS:

Tonee Marino: @ToneeMarino

Lia Avanessian: @InviteOnlyEventsCo

📻 Listen to Hye Jams Radio on iHeartRadio

👉 https://www.iheart.com/live/hye-jams-radio-11447/

👍 Don’t forget to SHARE if you’re proud of Armenian culture 🇦🇲

New episodes of Between the Notes drop regularly!

In this powerful episode of Between the Notes, host Paisan Kapitan sits down with international Armenian recording artist Shprot and renowned entrepreneur Shushan Darzian (Lady Bugz Inc.) for an unforgettable conversation about fame, faith, business, and Armenian culture.

Shprot opens up about her journey from performing in restaurants to building a global name in Armenian music — and why she chose to walk away from the image that made her famous to embrace a deeper life rooted in faith. Her transformation, values, and message may surprise you.

Shushan Darzian shares how she built one of the most respected catering brands in the Armenian community and beyond — from luxury events to providing healthy school lunches for children. She also reveals the mindset behind scaling a business while maintaining excellence.

Plus… the story everyone will be talking about: 🚤 A wild (and slightly terrifying) night on a yacht that nearly ended in disaster with 11 people packed into a sinking dinghy.

In this episode:

• Fame vs. purpose in the entertainment industry

• Talent vs. attention vs. character

• Faith, transformation, and legacy

• Building a successful business from the ground up

• Hilarious and unforgettable real-life moments

And yes… one guest even calls Paisan the “Italian-Armenian Joe Rogan.”

👉 Subscribe to Hye Jams Radio for more interviews with top Armenian artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders.

Follow Shprot: YouTube: @shprotofficial Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Hye Jams (iHeartRadio)

Follow Shushan Darzian: Instagram & TikTok: @ladybugz Shushan Collection: shushancollection.com

Watch Entire Show on the YouTube Hye Jams page.

🌐 More from Hye Jams: https://www.HyeJams.com

What kind of artist gets bored doing just one thing?

The kind who refuses to live small.

In this episode of Between the Notes, Paisan Kapitan sits down with the multi-dimensional mind of Djan Edmonte — a songwriter, producer, recording artist, sculptor, and creative visionary who simply cannot be boxed in. Yes, he writes and produces music. But that’s just the beginning.

Djan also builds detailed sculptures and intricate mock-ups of famous buildings and historic events — proving his creativity isn’t limited to sound. It’s architectural. It’s visual. It’s historical. It’s relentless.

Show Host, Paisan Kapitan, described him as someone with a “genius mentality” — constantly evolving, constantly creating, constantly shifting into new projects because repetition bores him. Instead of staying comfortable, he expands.

🎵 In music, he’s known for respectfully re-imagining legendary songs — keeping their history alive while giving them a fresh, modern presentation. Not copying. Not chasing trends. Preserving legacy with class.

And then there’s the quote that stopped the room: “My wife is my neck.” A powerful statement about strength, leadership, and the woman who supports and steadies him behind the scenes.

This conversation dives into: • Creative restlessness • Reinventing classics without disrespecting them • The mindset of multi-discipline artists • Marriage, humility, and foundation • Why true talent refuses to stay in one lane.

If you believe creativity should evolve — not stagnate — this episode is for you.