Today, just like every time that i pursue, i am pursuing to meet with a musician, i am getting anxious eh… i am getting anxious if i’ll ask the wright phrases, i am getting anxious about the flow. Of course they say that a little bit of stress is productive and i’ll stay to it. On the other hand, if something is important to you and you want to do it great and with a quality at the end it’ s  good that i am anxious about it and like that i translate it. I am here, at the house of Georgusopulu Giorgou and Yanieries Katerina. Giorgos is an active musicians…eh… He plays at, at venues In Syros and he mostly plays keyboard. The little i know him, he is a human very sociable… he is a person with an emphasis on laughter and joy with open arms enclosing his fellow human beings but also his… and his music skills eh… good afternoon Giorgo

So good afternoon

I said it correct that you play keyboards electric piano

Uh keyboard operator exactly

Very nice eh… I want you to tell us where you were born!

Eh… i was born in Dafne in Athens in 1977. There i grew up em… i stayed there practically until 2008.  So then with my newly formed family we moved to in Aegio a… where we stayed for eh… 8 years, almost nine years and the 2017 we finally came here at our island In Syros

You grew up in… you grew up, your childhood was at Dafne, there you went to elementary eh… high school

High school and Lycium, all childhood over there. In Athens.

And there obviously start… you started playing music

Yes my first contact was at the, with the branch of the, National Conservatory in, in Daphne eh… there i started let’s say, my studies and the trip, let’s say, at the piano em… afterwards eh… i jumped at the Central National Conservatory let’s say at the sq, at Vathis square.

Distance approximately from your house?

Eh… it was eh… for the, for the size of Athens practically next door not more than 10 blocks

Ah okay, ah i see, ah very nice, very nice! What? Can you remind me what age? The period you started?

Ah, eh… i started on third class of primary school…

Third class

Yes, that period i started at the conservatory

I would like to ask, was there a reason that you started to, learn music at the third class eh… or by yourself, let’s say

Eh… no, it was definitely not my idea to start music but for sure it was the best idea that my grandmother had, i mean even if that was the only thing she had done i would be grateful. I am talking seriously it was the magic phrase, let’s say, “We should take the kid to learn piano” That’s it and i didn’t… back then, obviously eh… I had neither the mind nor the awareness to be able to evaluate, let’s say what… what a great impact, let’s say, this process would have in the future.

For sure, at the third grade we mostly want to play eh… And you liked? You started at the conservatory and how, how did you experience it? Do you remember at all?

Of course, of course! eh… To begin with we are talking about completely different time, all right, than today and with eh… with the conveniences that might exist or take them, let’s say, as granted are or might be manageable in a different way eh… To begin with, at fir, at the house we didn’t, we didn’t had a piano when I begun so, for example in order to study, you had to go to a specific classroom at the conservatory for, for 20 minutes, for a specific time that they could provide you. Em…so necessarily that was and, and the only available time to study let’s, back then. Eh… except that you can’t… again when you are young, you can’t… evaluate or even the impact that might in the future, let’s say, that, that situation nor the… eh… nor the quantity nor the, the type of, let’s say, practice, let’s say, the… the fact that, i mean, the more energy you put let’s say in, in the music, that situation, gives you in return much more

For sure that period gives you a, a joy that you are getting, better, let’s say, that you achieve a goal.

Yes!

There are small steps to climb, I know, like a child, for example and

Yes! eh… yes of course that eh… that also eh… and again you might not, back then I couldn’t, i couldn’t evaluate it completely but seeing it now and the and… and on the base of the… and the interaction, along with the relationsips I had at the time, back then with the, with the rest children I was, we were, let’s say, at the conservatory, or for instance while playing in many performances at, at concerts you could observe, let’s say, the, the progress that eh, each one

The classmate

The, the classmate. Certainly, not everything was holy and, and perfect right… some time, i mean, even even, even the, the 20 minutes there would have been days obviously that, let’s say, that thing could be similar, let’s say, to drudgery. Back then at, at the very, at the very beginning.

You were playing among other at the conservatory? You had small bands and playing 2 – 3 people, let’s say, together?

Eh, no, no, no! For sure not! That situation eh… back then, let’s say, I don’t, I don’t believe that was happening something, something, like that or this approach, let’s say at, at the National Conservatory it didn’t exist, let’s say, the encouragement, for example, to participate in, let’s say ensembles and the… i would say, let’s say, that maybe and the approach of the, of the classical piano was completely academical and there is a totally  different from the approach that I observe, let’s say, many music schools to, to follow and of course it’s the correct one. Like that, because the greater value in music, perhaps, is when you, when you share it among other.

Here, here i thing we should stay. And when did you start to share with others your music? What age? Like a teenager, let’s say?

Yes, at the. Yes, at school.

At school

At, at school when I could realize that there are more people that play music. Not necessarily piano which, let’s… until then could also be exclusive solitary sport. And that might, for instance, and, and other people to listen to songs that you like, you know, you also like and you want to share it with, everyone with his unique way. It is called group, band

Can you recall your first, presentation of you work?

Eh… back then it was exclusively at a school level eh… school fiesta. So eh… also eh… at… maybe and at, at the everyday life of Athens ah… it was a bit of lonely the, let’s sa… the procedure let’s say, of, of each one and we were… we are always talking about and for, different eras Em.. I thing obviously that there were more solitary, let’s say, the approaches of, of each one and less, and, and less the opportunities comparedto the ones, let’s say, I observe that they provide today, for, for today’s children

Less?

Less, yes!

That’s good! Sounds good to me!

Eh… you can, you can appreciate it! You can, back then, back then is… Each one has its pros and cons. Back then, let’s say, you can… back then you appreciate it, let’s say, a little bit more, let’s say

Okay! At the National Conservatory, you graduated? You took a degree from there? eh…

At the National Conservatory I didn’t stop not even for the Panhellenic exams. When i was taking the panhellenic eh… i was playing, i had exams back then for the advanced level, let’s say, at the, at the piano. Eh… and i continued and eventually reached up to the degree. Which i obtained on, on 2021 eh… Every time I deduct but i don’t remember if I find the same result. Any way, from the third, from the third grade, let’s say, up until I finished and the, and the Polytechic eh… i managed to obtain the, the degree and…

Do you remember what you played? Difficult question…

Eh… for the most part I… i remember… I don’t remember. I could never remember by heart to tell you, let’s say, that, you know, that, that Bach’s piece is, you know, the 735 / the protocol number or anything else or, let’s say, the, the one, Mozart’s sonata is from the Kochel catalogue, that one. Those i can not remember with so many details. Many times thought, when, even now, I might try, let’s say, to, to touch, let’s say, the level of, of the technical training eh… i had back then, let’s say, at the degree eh… the obvious choice, let’s say, to make sure if you can reach it, are those songs you had played back then. Some of them i believe that i can to, to reach, to, to play again, that level.

I would like to… to ask, if you hadn’t learnt music. Not at all! How? How would you be? Who you would be Eh… with, and with the sense that… What has it provided you, i’m indirectly asking, what has music offered you?

I would be, for sure a completely different person. Eh… most possibly is that i would have even more difficulty to express myself, let’s say, my emotions, let’s say, that…  you can… Which i have now learned to express, let’s say, through mu, mus, music. That’s for sure. Eh… from that point forward… Music also provides, let’s say, it’s is certainly a, a very long trip a trip, let’s say, with, which practically, it boost you, at least if you love it, eh… to, to be constantly better to keep learning, and, let’s say developing on what you really love. That also for me is invaluable.

It has given you, let’s say, time for yourself as well, to get to know yourself, maybe, better.

For example, yes…

Great! Very nice! Eh… I know you are not only musician. I know that… you have… yes. Have another job. Eh…

That other job.

And something about Polytechnic you mentioned before

We said about Polytechinc.

Yes

Yes, like that of course!

What?… With what? With…  What is your first job? let’s say…

At the ordinary life except a musician i am a civil engineer, and he says: “And how do you manage both the Parliament and the garage”, it’s the next question, right… However  we manage it. Eh… i am a civil engineer eh… i work at the South Aegean Region at the department of Technical Works.

Since you came here in Syros, i guess you came here for that reason right, on 2017 if i remember correctly.

Yes. My appointment was here, and before that as well as a civil engineer was my first job back to Aegio but, but and in Athens, so… At the beginning because i had worked in many construction sites, it was a little bit harder, Eh… to have a standard base and to maintain, let’s say, the… the amount of playing all the previous years with… with music.

And when do you make time to… to study, let’s say, eh… because i imagine after work you should rest a little bit also. So you have time? Do you have enough time to study music and to cope with, with the ensembles?

Eh… to begin with, we have the best support team that we could have ha, had.

And the are, who are they?

Generally at home… My wife Katerina and my daughter Zoe. They make everything much easier eh… They know very well, of course, that also for me music, let’s say, is my oxygen. It is completely vital reason and if you cut, let’s say, off supply simple you can not live, let’s say, just the, just the way you like it

Yes eh… music is gre… is great. Great and for me personally… it… saved, it has… eh… it has, it has saved my life me either. It is my oxygen you said it very very nice. You came here at Syros and you met with the musicians, did you know any musician or you meet them afterwards? How you eh…

It happened afterwards. Afterwards eh, i thing, that practically the one collaborations brought and the… and the other… eh, of course there was a break at the period of the… quarantine. Quarantine, pandemic and all of that, sms 6 movement, physical exercise and all of that the beautiful things… eh… but also right after, i thing that they started to become more and more the collaborations here on the… island

Your First collaboration here in Syro, who whose he?

The First…

Or who whose she? I am sorry

It was Giannis Lappas with the… with a group we had then with Gianni Lappa eh… at the guitar and Fotienie Georgiopulu t.. the vocals eh… and with Theodorie Busia, if i remember well or Busio. One of two are the choices at the bass eh… Groove Blender was the name of… the song and… and mostly was called like that because the orcestra was playing

The band…

Eh, i am sorry?!

The band

Yes! And it was like a blender from different choices, mostly foreign – language from a foreign repertoire, let’s say, and some of them… retro or Greek swing that it was pop the previous period

From Syros and the… all the… your bandmates

Eh… now that i am thinking about it counting and the rests, zero out of three

Perfect

Each one from the… from the the others, one eh… professor, the other professor that left the island the last student that she also… left, let’s say, in the end from the island. But that was my First collaboration with… we had, we played back then mostly at weddings

At weddings. Okay! Nice! The next? Do you remember the other eh.. Other people that…

I can not remember in absolute chronological Line. I thing it was Mathios Xepatierakies with whom we had the most lives here at the… at the island With repertoire, mostly choices mased on… the the artistic. Mathios is known to everyone that he also loves Vasili Papakonstantinou so, that kind of… of repertoire

Em… And… and where you were playing? You played at.. At…

With Mathio

Played at stores? You managed to

At “Melidron”… of course we found our path and at…

In Posidonia

Yes in Posidonia. Yes… We foud our path at… at stores eh… slowly – slowly they started to find eh and the rest musicians here at the, at the island, but i can not remember the exact chronological Line. It also pops up the collaboration with eh… and with Lena Hatzigrigoriou and with Elpida… Gad. We made some concerts at, some lives at “Ono” It must have been the summer before Pandemic eh… Afterwards Apostolis Maris found me.

I met you from him. You had a live at… hold on… at the university down the street… the “Quernika”

Yes, yes, yes certainly! At “Quernica” Like that, Apostolis has… has introduced me to… to many people “You know, someone looking for keyboards” and… “keyboards… Giorgos” Em… yes… i simultaneously have, let’s say, i have and… and one more… collaborations, i am member in a in a eh… in a band that plays symphonic Metal, not symphonic, i’m sorry… progressive, “Power After Image” it is called,  the, the band, i thing it is eh… fairly rare. let’s say, for… that is,  how something like this band may have come let’s say, for the… for the dynamic of the island

in there you are with… with Makis? with Makis the…

Oh.. in there i am with Christos Papadakis. He is the front man, he is the singer of the band, eh… we have three guitarists eh… we have a drummer and we are looking for a bassist that is among the most wanted species here at the island eh… you don’t find easily that’s the truth So like… Especially with them we have had and… with the guys we have had, let’s say, lot’s of impactful performances and… and outside of the island and they are coming and… and more impactful ones

Would you like to share with us what’s next?

Eh… at the end of the summer we are due to play at a, at a festival that takes place, let’s say, at Achialos outside Volos eh…

Ah nice!

According to conservative estimate there are going to be 3.000

Oh great

People… The are playing many famous bands at least in… in the realm of underground metal eh… and we are looking forward, honestly, and for the trip and to the sharing with the… with the scene and to… to meet and all the other musicians. Some of them are very serious names at…at the realm and honestly it would be an honor, let’s say, that we will, we will share them with them

Metal now…eh…Metal, let’s say, to charact…, let’s say the…the genre You was hearing it as a child or now you wanted to…

It was never the, let’s say, the repertoire…the repertoire i used to hear, let’s say, i’ll say, let’s say, inside quotation marks eh…with the…although i was listening to classic rock let’s…and i was hearing many different genres em… i started with…basically with the repertoire My foundations were probably in, in art music Clearly. Art music. Chatzidakis, Theodorakis and all of that Em…i had watched from very very  close the, the flourishing of the art music scene around mid and end of decade… the nineties with the radio “Melodia”: with with “Diesi”. Ioannidi, Peridi, Malama and all of them…

A parenthesis…i am sorry, know…

Speak!

Very, very nice! Do you…compose at all your own musiic?

Eh…No. The one word answer is… no… Ah… or at least eh… Many times, however, it will happen similarly to sit at, at the keyboard to, to improvise. But what i create ordinary born and dies, let’s say, at that moment. i don’t, usually i don’t, let’s say, write it down, let’s say, at a score or to say or to thing hm… this, let’s say, is good, i know, i have to, to keep it with somehow eh… but i love very much, let’s say, to…to say it like that to…to cover with mus…with, with music, let’s say, with keyboard or everything else that can imitate, let’s say the, the keyboards People that they have eh… their own inspirations. Maybe with mine maybe i don’t feel, you know, the exact. The some… somehow, let’s say, absolute certainty Many times i struggle with my insecurities according to my, to my creative part. If what i am doing, trully has value. If this is, let’s say, is trully original or if it is worth to present it, let’s say, somehow, let’s say, to… to other people. So most times i end up, let’s say, to a more secure approach to, to help, let’s say, other people in order to share eh… their own music giving flesh and… and bone.

Eh…you are making arrangements…In my mind this is an arrangement.

At the level i can and at that level i can to, to provide. Most times the result is team work, right… like for example, like also at the band ca…they certainly exist, let’s say the… the basic melodic, ideas from that point forward each one with the…according to his own specialty, regarding his… his instrument while playing, regarding his musical background, his influences eh…changes, let’s say

Adds a few things

Exactly! The…the listening and at the end what you are hearing is the sum of all these The same happens, let’s say. The end sounds very nice! And to all the genre right! and at…even at… at artistic music let’s say, i thing that it is eh…common place, let’s say, to all the… to any…to any genre, let’ say and to any song let’s say, and, and playing, even playing, will…If you listen carefully you will discover, let’s say, in, in playing, let’s say, in each musicians playing, let’s say, in the way that eh.. approaches, let’s say, and cover the track and it is also very interesting to watch and how these come together to have that final result!

When you hear yourself at a recording eh… What? What are your thoughts? Do you like listening your own recordings? Si…you don’t sing, let’s say, right?

I don’t sing, and that’s why there is a relative tolerance. If i was singing there will not be any tolerance. I don’t like hearing my voice in recordings in General.

Nice!

I have that bad habit. Eh…but not…it’s not that…that i’ll avoid, you know like, like the devil and holy water hearing my…myself

Eh…a next question that i will like to… to share it with us…eh…some thought of yours. The question is: What is the reason or when you enjoy your work eh…when you play music in a…in a store?

Ah…eh…easy. In general the hours you are playing music, they are completely Free, let’s say, at, at the store. What you are paying for are the studies at  piano, the rehearsals with the musicians, let’s say, the… the…all the time preparing with the…for the set list the, the lugging around, the wear and tear of the equipment. That time is completely free and it is only, only joy!

Okay!

Simple things. You are just enjoying yes, yes!

Eh…the same happens also with the clients, let’s say, from the audience? Those that they are eating, drinking, laughing

Eh…that depends clearly from, from each, from each live Of course in, in every, in every Live and in every dif..and in every different store Eh…there is diferent level of participation, let’s say, of the…of the audience and on the other hand it doesn’t mean, let’s say, that…that every time you can struggle, like, let’s say, for for the…for what you like

Yes

Every time you have to…to adapt according to the…the audience. Obviously… It is obvious that what…what you are enjoying, let’s say, more is…when… when what you are doing, let’s say, is along, let’s say, with…with participation. You are seeing that the people are with you and they are… they are interested about it, let’s say, and that… wants more

And this must be the most… liberating, let’s say, the most…the most beautiful moment in that job i thing.

Eh…of course the…the…the, everything, let’s say, in, in music eh…is, is the sharing. Nobody, i thing, let’s say, from the musicians do it eh… to…to enjoy it alone That i can’t th…thing let’s say, how will… how.. how will it be possible or what satisfaction, let’s say, what could…could someone gain, let’s say, only from that situation. When…you feel, let’s, when the music is something that provides happiness and the happiness you want to share it. It’s simple

Yes right! For sure music just like we said at the beginning has lot’s of good things. By it’s own eh… you learn to Express yourself, you learn to manipulate your emotions, i know, or…

It has, it has on its own, for me, many many positives eh…but for sure is much better when that job you’ve done  so many years one day you share it..

Would you like to tell us a few more names of some people that you have work with eh…and what istrument plays each one?

I’m in danger to… to be irreparably exposed!

Eh, and if you forget… And if you forget someone, it’s ok

So here… I guess i must have played almost half the Orchestra of the Cyclades right, it gives us different things to work from

Mostly i am into the, the instruments they are using.

But, taking into sence that the most perfect instrument that has conquer all other, might be the human voice, let’s mention, for sure, and Dimitri the..the Eratienos who also eh… he has lots of experience and unique eh…singer, let’s say, with the timbre of a lyric baritone, practically. That he,  that he is the last few years at the at the island and of course the past few days has come up, let’s say, and a collaboration with, with the famous, let’s say Giorgos Tenterakies. And with his wife also an artist, singer the… Rothoula Kutalelie that we played not long time ago also at “Stavros tou Notou”. Those are, are from singers. And with Maria Kusulaku of course, who is, like from eh… from the Orchestra of the Cyclades

Maria i know her many many years…a very pleasant person

To a Greek Pop Folk repertoire there

Yes! Alright, and Maria has also sung those, very…  a lot…a big, a wide range of songs, a large variety

We, with Maria , we choose to, to share a repertoire at which she hadn’t so far studied it, let’s say, a lot at, at, in the past years. Classic Greek pop folk but… we try it also, why not? It Works fine Each of repertoire has…has each own moment, let’s say, ea, each repertoire, from each musical style you can gain completely different things, let’s say, that they make you better each music genre,in addition, needs each own special treatment,let’s say and at, and at live is completely different a…a Metal Live, let’s say, in which you have, let’s say, a very strict time frame that you need to express, let’s say, the maximum, it is different a live, let’s say, with artistic music, let’s say, that you eh… is a Live probably medium physical energy. To express it like that eh…

Okay, yes, for sure.

With mid time frame, anyway. And…there are for example and the…

More mezzo forte!

Exactly! And there are and…and lives For example that we’ve done with… With Apostolis Maries and with…with Eftichia the…Panopulu eh…as “Birbilia”

Ah! Certainly!

With a Temporary name of…of the band. Those lives you have and a time dilation, let’s say, it is not… The time doesn’t count, let’s say, necessary. You lost it completely, let’s say, the…the feeling and you shift into another dimension

Eftichia and i am sorry, also another singer. Apostolis multi instrument player. Apostolis Maris, the famous multi instrument player

The band that we play together he mostly plays kanun and ney

Great! With the other arts eh…what’s your relation?

Eh…i can’t say that… that there is much of a free time, let’s say, because i am so much…so much focused and concentrate in eh…in music that practically eh…maybe some cinema, let’s say, i could, i could make some time, let’s say eh…so time, let’s say, and the…and the Energy. Is, is so… so much the en… the energy i need to, i am not doing it i mean because i have to, of course not, right! That.. that i need to provide, let’s say in, in music that generally speaking and makes things more difficult regarding… the cinema

Yes! Eh, it need dedication and time!  One of you favorite movies? Because you said about cinema!

Cliche, but i’ll say, let’s say, i’ll choose the “Amelie”. Not only just for the music.

Yes!

With the danger to be characterized in many ways, sweetsalt! I don’t care! When i first watched the film, let’s say, i was in a shock. An aesthetic shock!

Okay, i see 

Especially with the scene where…where the set free a golden fish, let’s say, over there at… at the river I was in an aesthetic shock, let’s say, at that moment.It is stayed with me ever since!

It touched you, let’s say, i mean…

Perhaps, alwright, for sure it was also the combination of music very big in that movie. But no…it’s not, it can’t be…it can’t be separated

Is there any artist that has been an influence eh…in…in your life? As a pianist or as a Human As you mention very nice that scene with the goldfish, i mean.

Yes, eh… I couldn’t to…it would be practically impossible to…to focus, let’s say, only to…only to one person. For sure, i mean…certainly the biggest influence, let’s say, acoustic, let’s say, and my aesthetic approach eh… it is closer to… to Manos Chadjidakis Even my pianistic approach, let’s say, at the… classic folk songs for example this is what i thing it is Something that has…has an influence in me

Hadjidakis

Hadjidaki yes. Even more and the pianist approach at…at folk, at classic folk songs. At older time, let’s say, on the Television, let’s say, in between two programs might pop up a scene with tourist sightseeing, let’s say, and for the soundtrack, let’s say, a piece from the Vespers – Popular Vespers, let’s say,by…by Hadjidakis All those are things you learn. Or…maybe unconsciously without to… Involuntarily, without…without realizing it at that moment the… the impact they have to you. So, if i had to choose eh…someone perhaps it would have been Manos Hadjidakis for sure. Em…i thing in general thought eh…the biggest part of the…of my influences, has been formed from the tapes that eh…was recording

Great

My father eh…

Yes, yes

From the radio. Usually from the second programme from the repertoire that he liked from the company’s songs. And from the tapes i mean that, let’s say, we…we were listening, let’s say, in…in the car at road trips

Yes, yes, yes!

Back then…that time ah…when my father was a teacher, let’s say, at…at Kranidi in…in Argolida we had and reasons to…to travel. Greater distances, of course in relation to the island where, let’s say, here from… to travel, let’s say, from A to…to B the most you’ll hear, let’s say, two or three max, let’s say, songs and stop

Yes and it’s over.

Right…there are not long distances to, to hear music let’s say, at the car eh…in Athens never the less at least you had the chance stack in the traffic or while travelling, right to…to hear lot’s of music in the car.

Do you remember to say a…song of that period? or if not from that period a song that truly expresses who you are.

Eh…

Or you really love!

The: “Your world should be me” i thing clearly Hadjidakis the “Dedication”

I see! Hadjidakis. Two last question eh…we would like to ask, it is from Prust Diary Eh…

Nice!

Which words or phrases you use more

I can’t, trace something specific. Eh… in times i might be using it more frequently you know, of one specific phrase or one that stacks, let’s say, one phrase, but i don’t believe that i am saying something, let’s say, you know so consinstently to say that characterizes me. That maybe could prove someone else instead of me. Because if i am doing it, i don’t understand it. I can’t trace it that moment.

Eh, no, me also now it hasn’t, i haven’t heard a phrase that you use a lot. If, you could, and last question. If you could change someting in yourself What? What will that be?

Great question. Trully great! Maybe, eh…i will, will want if, if i could em…to, to Live, let’s say, to feel, let’s say, and to…be at peace inside me, let’s say, on…those…those, those that happens to me, let’s say, even more according to…to any level i have achieved, let’s say, through the years, to feel even more, let’s say, the facts that are happening to me, let’s say, and sooner, let’s say, from the moment that, that are happening to me. Many times things are happening, let’s say, some, some things that this moment, let’s say, you can’t  realize, let’s say, the…level, the grade of impact, let’s say, all those. At their value, let’s say. Their value yes, that moment yes! So, i would like in General to… Be even more grateful for the things that are happening to me, let’s say, the eh…the, the moment that are…happening to me In General i am a person that tries, let’s say, constantly, let’s say, for the…for the best. Sometimes that might create some more eh…more dificulties. But we keep on

And the obstoucles are to… overcome them. Thank you very much! It was a beautiful experience eh…be well

Me too

Thank you

It was a pleasure! You discover and things that, let’s say, that you might haven’t thought about, let’s say, that they were part of you!

I am happy, i am happy!

 

 

Record took place on 18/06/2024