Muzine One Year Birthday Party in Thessaloniki

The most beautiful and well written Greek music magazine, Muzine, reached its sixth bi-monthly issue - so it's birthday time! One year since it first came out, introducing lots of great new artists to us and filling our CD players with lovely music from the two CDs packed in each issue. Three parties in three different cities (Thessaloniki 20/11, Patra 22/11 and Athens 23/11) mark the occasion, with concerts by artists featured in the magazine like Limousine and Plumerai. Thessaloniki had the joy to welcome for the first time in Europe the Boston group Plumerai, along with locals Jane Doe and Berlin Brides from Athens. After the concert, Elias Fragoulis was scheduled to keep the party going deep into the night. This event was made possible within Thessaloniki's International Film Festival and Independence Days

Jane Doe (above) opened the concert, after a lengthy (and honestly annoying after a while) sound check by the three bands - sound kept being problematic throughout the evening, with monitors not working, microphones screeching, a thing that did not help the groups at all. The rock group from our home town gave a very good performance, and even though they sounded a bit too hard for my taste, the last two songs were brilliant. I think we are going to see more of them in the future.

Then it was Plumerai time. The US band was in Europe for the very first time and lucky us were the first ones to catch a glimpse of them playing their first live concert here. And what a concert it was! The band is very tight, and with the addition of an excellent and very energetic violinist (hi Laura!) gave us the best performance of the night by far! They played almost their whole album "Without Number", making us all dance to their melodies and their beats. The singer, Elizabeth Ezell, alternating from sex kitten to pop goddess to rock nymph, enthralled us with her unusual husky voice and sassy moves - that smile of hers can move mountains!

Guitarist Martin Newman made his guitar sing, wail and scream, giving an edge to the band's music. The amazing and very cool James Newman on bass punctuated the rhythm with gusto, being helped by the swinging Todd Richards on drums. The shoegazing post pop (God I hate labels but what else can you call them?) music stayed in our ears long after their gig ended. Thankfully, their cd was sold at the Muzine counter along with their latest offering, a split 7" vinyl single with a new song of theirs (Vacant Eyes - they share sides with another US band, The Brother Kite), which of course I bought!

I was extremely lucky to meet the band before the concert, and had them sign the CD for me (forgetting Laura, stupid me) and got to talk with Martin after the gig again. He said that he grew up in Germany, and had travelled around Europe before, but it was Plumerai's first time abroad. He liked the Greek audience, found it very warm and accepting, and was happy to hear me telling him that people in the audience loved their set and thought them brilliant. They had not played live in almost a month, and they are in the process of releasing a free mp3 single from their website. They have new material ready for recording, which should be due to start by January. I must say I am anxious to listen to it!

The venue, although not ideal for a music performance, is so beautiful (an old unused port storage building turned into a cultural centre, housing each November the reception areas and stands of Thessaloniki's International Film Festival) that, along with Plumerai's lovely music made us forget the bad sound. We were sorry that it could not last more! I do hope we see them again here soon (Nek, are you reading this?)

And soon it was time for Berlin Brides. The all-girl Athens foursome burst onto the stage to a very expectant audience (I heard lots of people saying they had come just for them) and gave us their punk oriented electro music. I must say I was expecting something better; I was disappointed listening to them They have some nice song ideas but they get lost in the middle of bad vocals and fuzzy sound effects. If they work their stuff a bit more, they might hit their stride, I will pass for now.

(Berlin Brides photos by the brilliant Miss Tati!)

Of course, after the end of the Brides gig, we had another treat: the great DJ from Athens, Elias Fragoulis, gave us one of his brilliant DJ sets, making people dance till the wee hours of the morning. Elias, pleas come more often here to play (or I must visit Athens more frequently).

I must thank Nektarios from Muzine for the hospitality and the introduction to Plumerai. The party was great and I hope it will be repeated next year. I wish the next two gigs at Patra and Athens are this good! Don't miss them!

What am I doing in Muzine 5?

One of my favourite magazines, Muzine, has released its 5th issue. It was supposed to be the summer one but it comes out in September - better late than never. Happily it deserves the wait.

Muzine #5 cover designed by ellij

The magnificent cover gives you a taste of what comes inside. First of all an amazing tribute to the connection of films and music called "MUZINEMA". Movies and records with the same title are presented/reviewed by the editors while they also try to find their real or imaginary connection. The incredible T-drom illustrates this whole section brilliantly. Next a touching interview and review of Scott Matthew by Markos Fragkos, followed by an equally excellent interview and review of Tom Baxter and his new release by Eleni Mitsiaki. Enteka writes his "They once said..." column, Christos Karras interviews the multitalented Spyweirdos, Aggelos K interviews a group from Thessaloniki called Your Hand In Mine, while Eleni Mitsiaki writes them a great review. Many other reviews from all the editors of the magazine are included (The Long Blondes, Adele, The Futureheads, Pale Young Gentlemen, Unforscene etc., my favourite ones by Makis Papasimakopoulos, Loan Me A Dime and Markos Fragkos) and of course the usual top-5 selections and many more articles. You can also see illustrations of talented Vassilis Bibas and Pan Pan, along with the regular Batonetta comic by Vassilis Kolettis and Stavros Dillios.

So what about the title of the post? you will ask. Well, Eleni Mitsiaki asked me, when she wrote her short story inspired by the collection "Watermark", edited by Maria Paroussi for EMI, if I could illustrate it. I know she can write amazing stuff, and reading it was no exception. I immediately said yes, fearing only I might not be able to do justice to her words. She and Muzine's publisher happily accepted the illsutration and you can see the result above this paragraph.

Muzine party in Thessaloniki - the photos!

The Muzine party - in co-operation with Highlights magazine - was a great success in Thessaloniki. We had lots of fun, the music was great (thanks to Indictos, Nektarios and *blush* me) and the drinks kept coming until the wee hours of the morning. The people of Nikis 35 were of course an integral part of the success of the whole event. We met old friends, made new ones and promised to repeat it as soon as possible. We missed some people who could not come but we hope to see them in a future event. No more talk: here is a selection of photographs from the party. Till next time!






























Photos by me and MissTati - such a talented photographer!

5th International Book Fair of Thesaloniki - it's great!

The 5th International Book Fair of Thessaloniki opened yesterday - the fair opened from 10:00 in the morning while the official opening ceremony was held at 19:00 in the afternoon. The attendance was very good for a normal working day - while lots of schools attended. Friday morning is even better, the crowds of children are amazing - and are having fun! It is so great looking at all those happy smiling faces going from stand to stand, looking longingly to all the books on display! What a better hopeful message for the future than children happy to read books?


Of course the show is not only about children. The main theme this year is, as mentioned on my previous post about the fair, the political book. We designed and made the stand for the main theme, which encompasses not only political books but also an exhibition of political posters in Greece throughout the years.



The graffiti incorporated with big paintings about important political moments in world history give the stand a dramatic look.


We also designed and made the EKEBI stand where one can be informed about the fair and all that is happening about books in Greece now.


This is where the French writers and illustrators of children's books will be presenting and signing their books!


The children's library - designed and made by our team again! There is a great comic for children on the back wall.


The tree of knowledge?


And our friends from Muzine have their stand in the show, Pavilion 13, stand no.64 - go get Muzine from there with a discount! There will be gifts too!!! And the party is on tonight!!! Be there or be square!

Muzine party in Thessaloniki - 30/05/2008 - and Muzine 4 is out too!

This Friday (30/05/2008 at 22:30), Muzine magazine is throwing a party for it's Thessaloniki friends at Nikis 35 café-bar, with the co-operation of Highlights magazine. Some of the magazine writers (Elafini, Aggelos, Enteka, Nektarios) will be there to share their music knowledge with us, and also hit the decks too, along with the other usual suspects! We expect some serious fun here people! Of course everyone is invited!

Meanwhile, the 4th issue of Muzine has hit the streets: having just finished reading it (it was delivered personally into my hands by the publisher no less), I must say it is one of their best issues so far. Some of the interviews, reviews and articles are exceptional: Soti Triantafyllou (famous Greek writer) writes about concerts that have marked her life, Enteka about Lena Platonos, Elafini has an interview with Trouble Over Tokyo (with a special review by Markos Fragkos). Also illustrations by the talented T-drom, Dustroad (for Soti no less) and Pan Pan (for Enteka's R.E.M. piece). And to cap it all a very interesting conversation of the writers about "alternative" or "indie" music scene, with additional comments by music insiders such as Mixalis E. and veteran music writer Argyris Zilos. Do not miss it!!! It will also be on sale at the 5th International Book Fair of Thessaloniki - check out Haramada Publications at Stand 64, Pavilion 13.

Update 30/05/08: unfortunately Aggelos, will not be joining us.

Muzine Party 01.02.08

I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Muzine party, open for all readers and friends last Friday night at Ianos Cafe. It was a delicous affair, with the weather helping a lot, and people arriving in great mood, to meet up close and personal with the people who makethis particular magazine so special. Some of the editors played their music selections for us, which was one of the best gifts they could give us (although some of them were too lazy to do it themselves ;-)...). There were lots of interesting and beautiful people attending, not only friends but also readers who came to show their gratitude and support to this special endeavour, although some of the Ianos personnel made their very best to ruin the experience (but didn't). My personal thanks to Nektarios Lambropoulos (the publisher) for inviting me and organizing this along with Ianos, and of course to my friends in Muzine: Eleni, Markos, Makis, Aggelos, Maria, Manolis and the rest of the gang: you're the best, keep going! Next stop, Thessaloniki!

Yours truly with Eleni Mitsiaki (who writes beautifully for Muzine) and Cartoon Dandy-Yiannis Tsioulis (who writes beautifully for other magazines).

Natascha, Emanuela & Margarita looking lovely!

Mr. Fotis Vallatos

Cartoon Dandy with gorgeous Anna

Yours truly taking photos!

One of the editors, Ion, heats things up with his immaculate playlist!

Amazing hair from Dafni and Mariza

A mysterious lady looking for something...

Fotis playing with the camera...

Is Aris Karampeazis conspiring with Eleni and me? Who knows? Stay tuned (not)!

Photos courtesy of Stratos Bacalis and Cartoon Dandy

Muzine party. Be there.

On Friday 1st of February, after 10:30pm, you are invited to the first party-communication of the new music magazine Muzine along with its readers, at the IANOS Bookstore cafe at 24 Stadiou Str., Athens.

The magazine's editors will play each a dj-set, while you will have the chance to talk to them and let them know your opinions.

Both already published issues will be on sale there and anyone who buys Muzine that night will be able to choose between the CD "7 meres makria" from Chromatic Sequence and the first Abbie Gale album "Family Life" which were given kindly from them and we will give out to you.

All new subscriptions will receive as a gift the Tara King Theory CD (limited number of copies still available, less than 80).

Entrance is free and JACK DANIEL'S will welcome you with free shots.

Organization: IANOS Bookstore - Haramada Editions

Sponsors: Melodia FM 99.2, www.tranzistor.gr, www.mixtape.gr

For more info contact through e-mail or call Muzine (2610342886/6978415843)