NEW YORK—Standing in Union Square Park playing a cover of Usher’s “Love in this Club,” two hipsters promoted their new CD “Color” to crowds of passersby on Wednesday.
Ramzi Khouri, 30, and Russell Herman, 24, are both part of the acoustic folk band Ramzi.
When Khouri was in high school, his father taught him how to play a few chords on the guitar. Ever since then, Khouri has spent his time learning how to play guitar and just recently began writing his own music. Just three years earlier Khouri moved from San Francisco to New York.
Like many other artists, Khouri uses his personal experiences to create songs.
“I think my inspiration from the actual songs I write comes from pretty much everything … I write a lot of songs about relationships, and everyday life. But love seems to be a pretty prevailing theme in what I write because it’s close to my heart and I think people can relate to it,” said Khouri.
While playing in the park, Khouri was accompanied by his percussionist Herman, who was at the time playing the Djembe, an African drum on his lunch break. As a child, Herman grew up in the suburbs of New York. He eventually took up drumming because he says it was, “Somewhere to channel my energy. It’s a great outlet for aggression in a positive sense.”
When he reached high school he was a drummer in a band, where he had the difficult decision of choosing which path he wanted to take.
“For me, music wasn’t it at the time,” said Herman.” But as I have grown up and gotten back into it and been here in New York it’s just something that’s always been a part of me and I wanted to kind of get back into expressing myself. I play a little guitar also, but mostly I find that percussion is where I can really express myself the best.” Herman is a new addition to Khouri solo act.
They met through the popular Internet site craigslist.
“I figure there is no better way to just put yourself out there and see what could turn up. And before you know it you found someone that is passionate about what you do and has a good sound and likes singing out here and playing in the park,” said Khouri.
When asked about his goals in life, Khouri said, “I mean just performing and writing music gives me a thrill. Even if it’s just having my music played on TV, or in a movie, or something like that where it’s got some recognition. I don’t need the spotlight but as long as I can touch someone, inspire someone, and get some inspiration off them, it works for me. I don’t plan to stop playing basically.”
You can check out Ramzi’s music on his myspace page at www.myspace.com/ramziguitar
