25/04/2021
Little interview with Leiurus and Roy! 🙌
1)We are familiar with the story of Leiurus from the Mousike family, but tell us about Roy. How did Leiurus and Roy come together for this project?
Leiurus: I know Roy since 2005. He is a close friend.I didn’t know that he started playing Bouzouki when he moved to New York. After years, I have seen him on Instagram stories playing Bouzouki and I texted him for collaboration. He said “let’s do this” and we met in my home studio. We recorded our first track “La Querida” in 4 hours :) That was a huge surprise for me. Then we recorded “Artinik” together. I am super happy with the creative process.
Roy: With the rising popularity of ethnic sounds in modern music I have always been thinking that Bouzouki would fit perfectly but to be honest I wasn’t confident enough about my level of playing the instrument so I kept postponing to inititiate such project. Then Leiurus encouraged me to try it. He supported a lot and provided a safe space. As he mentioned we recorded our first track “La Querida” in 4 hours :) I guess that was the spark !!
2)Can you tell us the story of “Artinik”? We know that this name is very important for Roy. How did you decide on this name?
Roy: Artinik refers to the nickname of my deceased grandpa who taught me the “Sofra” culture; drinking raki and eating delicious mezzes while forming intimate connections with loved ones. This song is thus me, commemorating him, with the harmony of ethnic toned bouzouki and modern music, rather than grief and sadness. Hope everyone enjoy this song and dance in honour of my dear “sofra” friend, Artinik.
3)Bouzouki, which we are familiar with in the Mediterranean culture, is undoubtedly the most important element of this single. Roy, can you tell us about your adventure with this instrument?
Roy: For me the most important component of mediterranean culture is gatherings. Since I was a kid the background music of those gatherings has always been Greek music thereby Bouzouki. That’s why it also represents a connection between me and my childhood. I had no intention to play an instrument for a long time but then I was like why I m not giving a shot and try one and I started to learn Bouzouki. Despite the fact that I m in the incfancy phase of playing an instrument and music itself, I feel so lucky that I had chance to collaborate with Leiurus and create something special for both of us.
4)Will these “sofra" series and your collaboration continue with new projects? / What are your plans for the future?
Leiurus: We have recorded 3 tracks with Roy. Next ones will be out in the following months. Our plan is to create a live set together that crowd can enjoy listening. Since the pandemic effected the music industry, our plan is to make it ready on Summer 2022.
Roy: In addition to what Leiurus said We’d like to improve our musicality skills and knowledge in order to create the unexpected.
