MEDFORD, Mass. — Arto Vaun is bringing his new album, “Stuck Inside a Map,” to life with a special record release show on Friday, December 20, at 8:30 p.m. at Deep Cuts in Medford. The album is available on all platforms.
Released in August, “Stuck Inside a Map” features 10 songs that explore themes of grief, uncertainty, resilience and joy. The album has been charting in the top 20 at college radio stations across the US, reflecting its growing resonance with listeners. While Vaun’s previous record, “The Cynthia Sessions,” was an intimate concept album, “Stuck Inside a Map” has an expansive feel, anchored by his band’s live sound.
Drawing from his bicultural background, Vaun often blends English and Armenian lyrics to reflect the complexity of navigating multicultural and multilingual identities. The album’s production and sound — a collaboration between Vaun and David Minehan (Woolly Mammoth Studios) — captures the energy of his live band, balancing introspective lyrics with catchy, bittersweet melodies.
Vaun has had a unique journey as a songwriter and poet. With his first project, Mishima USA, he shared stages with artists like Rufus Wainwright, Wheat, Daniel Johnston, Kimya Dawson and War on Drugs.
He then spent over a decade abroad, where he earned a PhD, published his poetry and was a professor. But he was continually writing new songs. With “Stuck Inside a Map,” he’s returned to his roots, creating music that’s both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Vaun’s band members — John Coen (guitar), Dan Maranci (bass) and Ryan Connelly (drums) — have become integral to the energy and impact of the songs. Their live performances are often noted for their chemistry, catchy melodies and evocative performances. Maranci and Coen joined Vaun in 2011. Connelly joined in 2022 and has quickly become a natural and key part of the group. It was a nice coincidence that Maranci is also Armenian (which Vaun didn’t know until after they connected musically) and Coen is from Watertown as well.
