Q&A
Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?
In November I released my debut Rebetiko CD, it was a collection of Rebetiko songs that I loved and the project was made possible on the back of a very successful Pozible campaign, I am pleased to advise that my first run has sold out – 500 cds – many sold in Australia and also Greece, UK and the US. Now with my friends we play every fortnight at the Retreat Hotel in Brunswick, I’m joined with Achilles, Nick and Illias. The night has grown from strength to strength and is at capacity at the end of the night.
To hear the album click here
https://conkalamarasrebetiko.
Also, to watch my YouTube channel click here
https://www.youtube.com/user/
Which song resonates most strongly and why?
I couldn’t pin point which songs resonate to me , Rebetika is such a broad genre, music from the 1900’s right through to the 1950’s seem to strike a chord with me, so many songwriters – most notably Markos Vamvakaris and Vassilis Tsistanis.
What’s next for you?
We’re aiming to build up on the Retreat residency, every second Friday from 9pm till midnight, I’ve also put together a tribute concert to Vassilis Tsistanis which is on the 18th of July at the Caravan Music Club in Oakleigh.
The tickets have only been on sale for a week and it is nearly half full so I anticipate this will do really well. I’ve also started recording the follow up to my debut Rebetiko album, and have started recording the next batch of songs for this.
What’s your scene?
My scene is listening to recordings from the 1900’s right through to the 1950’s…always on the hunt for vintage Greek rebetiko recordings. Spending many hours playing and also rehearsing Rebetiko pieces. My scene is to live music and breath art, constantly listening to Rebetiko recordings at work, in the car and also any chance I get. I always have an instrument with me as it reminds me that i have a long long way to go. Thats my scene :)
UPCOMING GIGS:
(19/6) REBETIKO RESIDENCY
Saturday 18th July
A TRIBUTE TO VASSILIS TSITSANIS
Bringing together a collection of some of Melbourne’s finest musicians; ACHILLES YIANGOULLI, CON KALAMARAS, DEAN GEORGALAS, NICK KOUTSALIOTIS & STAVRINA DIMITRIOU, this concert aims to play tribute to the iconic Vassilis Tsitsanis, focusing on some of his most memorable and celebrated works from the 1940’s and 1950s.
The concert will to follow the amazing career in chronological order and also weaving within the story historical circumstances
Born in Trikala, Tsitsanis was interested in music and learnt to play the bouzouki, violin and the mandolin which were the mainstay of so many of his songs.
In 1936 he left for Athens to study Law, and by 1937, had made his first musical recording.
In 1937, he moved to Thessaloniki, where he served his military service, and stayed there for about ten years, during the German occupation of Greece. There he became famous and wrote many of his best songs that were later recorded after the end of the War.
Tsitsanis recorded many of his own compositions that made famous many of the singers that worked with him, such as Sotiria Bellou (Σωτηρία Μπέλου), Marika Ninou (Μαρίκα Νίνου) and Prodromos Tsaousakis (Πρόδρομος Τσαουσάκης). He was mourned across Greece, where his music is still enjoyed to this day and he is regarded as a legend of rebetiko music.
Musicians – Achilles Yiangoulli, Con Kalamaras, Dean Georgalas, Nick Koutsaliotis & Stavrina Dimitriou
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