INTERVIEW

PHASE FM MUSIC LIFE TA NEA ELEFTHEROTIPIA ROCK AND ROLL- ATHENS VOICE- ΚΛΙΚ MAGAZINE-

PHASE FM - Lamia

What ignited you to start making music?
What ignites everyone, I believe. It's a way to express yourself. Others write poetry and books and others make music. Since I was a kid I had a thing for music. Even more so when I started learning to play the harmonium.

How many years have you been doing this?
As an amateur since I was 15. As a professional at 20, when I first started DJing at a local club. It was a great way to write pieces and then play it to a big audience to see its reaction.

A few words about your album "Forbidden paths"...
It's a collection of older and newer productions of mine, that were adapted accordingly in order to give a particular touch to the album. A melodic side of dance which I liked listening to at clubs or at home.

Which are your immediate plans?
More work on natural sounds. At York where I study I am given the chance to work with a small band of strings and experiment on it. On the other I haveplenty of studying to do...

What type of sound do you prefer playing at your sets?
I generally play deep, tech and progressive house sounds. But I always frame the set with atmospheres and melodies, just like I would like to hear it if I were on the dancefloor. Its good to give energy at your sets, but if youcan combine it with feelings its even better.

Which is the weirdest thing that has happened to you while playing music?
A guy came up and said "...hey mate, do you have any Israel?...". At that time I was playing an Echomen track. I have nothing against psychedelictrance. On the contrary I used to be a fan of Astral Projection and Ethnica. But it sounded a bit weird. Generally speaking, you see plenty of things when playing music.

Lately we have been seeing plenty of Greek DJs experimenting with production. Why do you think this is happening?
Its probably due to the convenience of the computer. You can make a whole production without extra machinery. On the one hand it's a good thing because everyone has the chance to create music, but on the other you see a repetition of sounds thus many productions are similar.

Which music style do you believe will rule Greece's dance stages in the future?
Styles have started getting mixed one to another. You see that one adds elements to the next. This way you can't easily say what's going to happen in the future. Progressive is becoming more tech. Techno gets filled withmelodic leads. Electro becomes fatter, with powerful drums. This fusion electro seems rather interesting, but the 4/4 rhythms will stay at the dancefloors for a long time.

MUSIC LIFE
Iliana

We entered the Forbidden Paths of 23-year-old Chris Nemmo and asked the details.

How would you describe your first album Forbidden Paths?
This album includes some of my views on the melodic side of electronic dance music. From deep tech house to progressive and breaks, which are encircled ethereal parts and melodic lines. You don't have to be an insider to listen to it.. it doesn't address only clubbers.

Why did you decide to call it Forbidden Paths?
For personal reasons mostly. The track's original version is very old. I had written it when I was still a kid..

Can you compare Patras to York, England? What do you like best at each place?
Patras is more cosmopolitan. Its more lively. On the other hand, York is a small place, picturesque, quiet - the best place to focus on your studies. Its club scene must be one of the poorest ones in England.

Your favorite DJs and producers?
From foreign DJs I would say James Zabiela and Sasha, while from the Greek ones I prefer Christo Z. When it comes to producers I like BT an Way Out West and Greece's B.I.G.

Are you optimistic in regards to electronic music?
Quite. You keep seeing new names pop out and some of them can take electronic music to another level I think.

Lets press play on your CD player. We will hear...
Lamb. A great duo.

Your influences?
My influences have been many epic house producers such as BT whom I already mentioned, Liquid, Hybrid and many more. On the other hand, at that time I had already started writing music next to a very talented producer and good friend Yiannis Douskos (a.k.a. Dousk), with whom I had the chance to share many ideas on the dance music scene.

Are you as calm as your music?
Probably. I just try to concentrate on my obligations and my ideas and that's what makes me penetrate the details that surround me. Now, if youthink that I'm a bit out of it is the same as calm... then OK! I think that I'm somewhere in the middle.

TA NEA Newspaper
Maria Markoulis
[Excerpt from the interview]

"I would try to make the world love electronic sound more", says Chris Nemmo when you ask hi what he would change if he could. "In Greece", he says, "the term 'electronic music' is pretty misunderstood. Many believe that it doesn't have a place in the music scene". However, some of our best musicproduction are based on electronic elements. As long as you can listen. Through new means of communication, the market's speed and the more flexible-spirited people, music reaches us everywhere. A wide smile, Nemmo's, has something to do with this type of music. His debut release, "Forbidden Paths" has hit record stores for some time now. "However", he adds, "there are enough people who are indeed interested. This album is not experimental, in order for someone to call it a bold attempt. It's a melodic expression of the dance scene, that tries to transport the listener at the particular place".

Which experience of yours do you consider invaluable?
"The fact that I met Yiannis Douskos (a.ka. Dousk), who helped me realize the way that the electronic sound behaves and how you can direct it and express yourself through it".

Which musician /DJ/ producer would you like to guide around Athens and what would you show them?
"I'm not from Athens, so I only know what Greeks from the suburbs know. However, I would like to show Brian Transeau around Thission. From the glamour of America's huge clubs to the friendly mood the area offers at night".

ELEFTHEROTIPIA Newspaper
Dimitris Kanellopoulos
Electronic sounds with feelings

So music (following oil, tobacco, football etc) turns out to be another one of Greece's exporting products. We should thank some talented Greeks and above all inspired, young creators who can easily stand next to famous (sometimes overrated) colleagues from abroad.

Chris Nemmo, is 23 years old and comes from Patras. He has been into electronic music since 1996 and just released his first album "Forbidden Paths" (KLIK Records). He has studied synth for 5 years and 2 years music theory, while he is living and continuing his studies in England. "The fact that I'm living abroad has helped me", he says. "Through the university I came to know other artists and music producers, with whom I exchange ideas and opinions on music". "Forbidden Paths" is a house music album in a -mainly- downtempo rhythm. "The album's sounds conclude in the fact that electronic music entails feelings", he claims. "All this time I've been hearing accusations on the 'lack of naturalness' and deficiency of expression in electronic music. This is a misconception made by people who have nothing to do with the particular type of music. If I manage to reveal truth even by a little, through music, I will feel ultimately happy".

-Which type of audience do you address?
"I tried to create an original dance album which is not only for clubbers, however. The melodies on the electronic beats make "Forbidden Paths" approachable even to the ones who are strangers with the particular music culture".

Christos speaks with passion about his work. On the other hand, by observing the ultra-modern studios with the huge consoles I'm thinking that today, the term musician has a completely different meaning.

-How distanced from real life is an artist who writes music, closed in a dark studio?
"It is a fact that an electronic music producer who must always be informed on the various courses of music technology is somewhat "with his head in the clouds". The studio absorbs all your energy. You are forced to spend many hours closed in it in order to produce your ideas".

-Which is the rhetoric of studio sounds?
"Natural sounds are warmer, more expressive, they persuade you on the producer's intentions easier. I want nature to be part of my music. I try, for example, to create this atmosphere with violins and pianos".

-How rough is the road to good music?
"Very. We are constantly searching for good releases and always end up with the same old, same old. The music industry prefers to promote artists as "advertising packages" instead of musicians who do it because it is their means of expression. Very few releases are really worthy. You need to try hard to discover them".

ROCK AND ROLL
GR NEW FACES
Fanis Bouras
Finding Nemmo

Chris Nemmo (aka Christos Panagiotopoulos) presents, his debut album "Forbidden Paths" by KLIK Records, emphasizing on melody and electronic sounds.

His name is known to the people who are interested in the same style or have someone they know in Patras. The track "Forbidden Paths" is played manically in the town's radios and clubs for a long time now. Moreover, according to rumours, Dave Seaman had included it in one of his set in a previous visit in Greece, perhaps even elsewhere. With a great aptitude in melody, Chris Nemmo must be one of those guys who whistle while walking down the street. All of his tracks, have a melody that gives them essence.

"I believe that house's melodic side is somewhere you get lost in... in unfamiliar paths. Its like your mind escapes. Whether you are in a club's dancefloor or in your home or in your car and you are stuck in traffic with the radio on, with the tunes escalating over a warm house beat, make you forget your worries", says Nemmo. He started making music at the age of 16:
"I was always a child that got carried away with epic melodies and clever basslines. I always liked tracks that had some energy in them and even more so when they were accompanied by an outbreak of feelings". Influenced by prog's 'greats', Sasha, Digweed, BT, Way Out West, even film music composers, it is easy to realise the mature electronic result, titled "Forbidden Paths".

"The only thing you have to do is notice what they did in order to learn something", he says. With "City 'a' Bongos" being a radio hit, the best is yet to come for Nemmo himself as well as for the Greek electronic scene.

ATHENS VOICE Newspaper-Magazine
Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos
[Excerpt from the interview]

KLIK Records' new member is 23 years old, his name is Christos Panagiotopoulos and with the alias "Chris Nemmo" experiments on electronic sounds. "Forbidden Paths" is the title of his ambitious first album, where he blends house grooves with progressive elements. He comes from Patras, has been educated in music, lives in York, England, where he is studying Music Technology. Read what he has to say...

How did you enter the electronic scene?
I entered at a time when epic and happy house were at its peak. I started producing my own tracks when I got my first synth, at the age of 15. An acquaintance with Giannis Douskos (aka Dousk) motivated me into dealing with each electronic track differently.

How do you feel as a new member of one of the top Greek record companies like KLIK Records, along with names such as Nikos Diamantopoulos, Mikael Delta, G.Pal, Bermuda Triangle?
Its truly an honor for me to see my name among those producers. KLIK Records is a distinguished company, which has actually consolidated its own style in the Greek electronic scene.

Along with Dousk and Jamora ("Lochness") you are a powerful part of the Greek progressive scene. How has your collaboration been?
It's a good collaboration. We are different as in what each wants from a dance track, which was obvious when each one added his own touch at "Lochness". I have also collaborated with the boys in another track ("Phantoms"), which will be released as "JDK" by Greg Benz's Aurium in a while.

Which are your influences?
Many dance names such as Way Out West, Hybrid, Jori Hulkkonen, Timewriter, Circulation and many more. But of all I mark out BT, a musician with plenty of knowledge on music technology, whose every new project is a lesson in production.

How did the album's preparation at York's Funky F Labs go?
It was difficult, because I had to go to my classes, but its definitely a great experience to write music and at the same time see snowy York through your window. York is truly "the place to be" for a musician. Small, picturesque and peaceful.

Who else has collaborated on the album?
The piano on "City 'a' Bongos" is by one of the best new pianists, Dimitris Stamatelatos, while the guitar on this track as well as "In Your Smile" is by Christos Karadimitris. The vocals on "Reflections" are by Eleni Takos and Giannis Douskos assisted in production. Finally, "Lightning Speed" was co-written with Jose Zamora.

There are many different style on "Forbidden Paths". Downtempo, house, progressive, breakbeats... What do you feel closest to you?
I feel close to all, but I believe that house is a style that doesn't constrain you when it comes to melody. It doesn't have any boundaries or standards that you have to follow. It gives you plenty of freedom as a dance genre.

You are studying at York's Electronic and Music Technology department. Which is electronica's next step?
I see a step in electro and breakbeats, but from what I can see people are not yet tired of the "four on the floor" rhythm yet.

Are you addicted to technology or just at the point where it to your own advantage?
Not addicted. The warmest and most beautiful sounds are produced by natural instruments and every electronic means cannot replace them. What we can do is make them sound better. Technology is something that helps; that's why I'd rather use it only up to the point where its necessary.

What are your future plans?
More natural sounds. Lately in England I've been working with a band, which gave me plenty of ideas for new productions. I just want to create a more natural sound on my tracks and since I've been given the chance through the university, I'm thinking of taking advantage of it.

KLIK Magazine
Nikos Grielas
[Excerpt from the interview]
CHRIS NEMMO - THE 'NEW BLOOD' IN THE MODERN MUSIC SCENE

Chris Nemmo (Christos Panagiotopoulos) is 23 and comes from Patras. Lately he has been in England because after completing his studies in economics in Patras, he wanted a degree in electronics and music technology. In the meantime, he presented his first production in collaboration with KLIK Records.

Many say that the following year will belong to Greek producers and DJs. At least that's what we heard in Miami this March, at the annual festival. Do you agree? Have you heard projects from our producers that impressed you?
That is definitely the truth. I have heard many projects from Greeks lately that truly amazed me. I heard Stel & Good News, Kosmas Epsilon, B.I.G., John and Nick Dalagelis and more, which show that we have been producing stuff.

I want you to tell me a few things regarding your project by KLIK Records...
It's a compilation of older and newer ideas, which I chose to present on my new album. Some melodic dance tracks, from down tempo to tech house and breaks, which are all built on a melodic planning.

Are there many talents in Greece's big cities that deal with modern electronic music? What have you seen on your journeys (because from what I hear you travel a lot..)?
There is plenty of love for modern electronic music. Wherever I've been I've met people that are interested in the particular field. People who always update their knowledge on all of electronic music's styles. That's very optimistic regarding the future.

When you come to Athens, where do you go to listen to music?
Basically I'm not a clubhead (strange isn't it?). I just find it difficult to listen to the music I want to hear on a dance floor, so I prefer something calmer. There are very few DJs that get me dancing and those are the ones that I go to listen to.

Which Greek and which foreign DJ has impressed you with his set in the last few years (from the ones you have listened to)?
From Greece I would choose Christo Z (although I haven't been to a party in Greece in a while). I think he is the most powerful name in the Greek music DJ scene. His mixing is based on melodies that create incredible feelings.

From abroad I would choose James Zabiela. The few times I got to listen to a set of his, I was truly mesmerized. Very accurate at what he wants to present.

What do you do when you've got a day free in Patras? How do you have fun? How do you let go of the pressure?
I sit and write music... You don't have many choices in Patras. Cinema is something that I' ve always liked. Patras also has the privilege of being a small place. Wherever you go, everyone's familiar. If you've got good company you'll have a good time.