Armand Ranjbaran is Dinosaur-Octopus Man: 4th year Juilliard composer by day, eight-legged dinosaur by night. The Long-Island native studies with Dr. Robert Beaser, and cites comic books and superheroes as some of his greatest inspirations. The ladies love him, his music rocks, and this summer, he ditched the music festivals to work in the editorial department of DC Comics. While Wagner had Wotan and Siegfried, Ranjbaran’s got Superman and Batman:

Molly Yeh: Are you a superhero?

Armand Ranjbaran:  Yes. Dinosaur-Octopus Man. I don’t have a superpower, just dinosaur strength I guess.  I’m basically a dinosaur with eight legs.

Does that help to write music faster? Yeah, though sometimes I wish I were a dinosaur-squid so I’d never run out of ink.

Good idea. So let’s talk about how your interest in superheroes, or the fact that you are one, affects your music. The last time I heard superheroes and music combined, p diddy or something was telling me to “superman a ho.” Have you any thoughts on this? The initial connection in my mind was that they were the first two things that made an impression on me as a child.

Supermans and hoes? Superheroes and music. I was too young for hoes. Superheroes are about doing the impossible and that’s what people do every day. That’s why I love them.

Have you always used superheroes as inspiration for your music?

Not really. I try to make the music stand on its own.  Just because I think of a superhero while writing a piece, doesn’t mean someone else has to.

It has that same sort of energy though, yes? I mean, superheroes fly and fight crime and do pretty physically intense things…And at least what I’ve heard of your music, there is a real driving and sometimes triumphant sound.

Totally.  Well two things: 1- I like writing intense music because it’s the only way to get out intense emotions.  But I’m also really into making the music as concise as possible, so having a lot of intensity in a short period of time gives the music that driving quality. 2- Triumphant. I like it when the good guys win.

Are Superman and Batman the new Wotan and Siegfried?

Well, Wotan is actually an important comic book character in both the DC and Marvel universes. And there has even been a graphic novel adaptation of the Ring Cycle. Which is ridiculously amazing.

Speaking of DC. You worked for them over the summer, right?

I worked in the editorial department. Without editors, no comic would ever come out. They put together writers and artists and oversee everything to make sure the direction of the company is solid and they do an amazing job. I was constantly taken aback by how busy yet how well they handled and juggled all the different elements of keeping DC Comics running. And on top of that, they involved us interns in the process on a regular basis, so it was something of a dream-come-true to work at the company that’s given me lots of enjoyment over the years.

Is this something you did to gain inspiration for your music? Or is it something you are considering for an alternative career?

I would never give up music, but it inspired me to be confident in exploring different aspects of my creative output.

Was it weird working in a non-musical environment?

It was refreshing like cool lemonade.

Did you have superhero pajamas?

Yes. And superhero sheets.

And are you offended or turned on by the size of Wonder Woman’s boobies?

How a woman chooses to present herself is her business.  But I happen to think that Wonder Woman is a great heroic role model.

To hear Armand’s music, visit his future website…

and, as always,

bwarm bhappy bdentallyhygienic

Molly