FOIVOS (Guitar Instrumentalist – Greece) – Interview provided by Angels PR Music Promotion #foivos
Interview conducted and submitted by Marian Nicolaou on behalf of Angels PR Music Promotion

Foivos Links:

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2JIV4QP

Youtube page – https://bit.ly/39xAVYD

SoundCloud – https://bit.ly/37jXcXg

Instagram – https://bit.ly/2KTkLi4

Facebook Page – https://bit.ly/2VhHOoH

Bandcamp – https://bit.ly/2JmAqpj

Amazon – https://amzn.to/37A71k7

Apple Music – https://apple.co/33L0hPh

On the occasion of his newly released “Distorted” EP, we are glad to have a little chat with the excellent guitar player/composer Foivos from Greece! We welcome you, Foivos! First question: What made you want to become a musician? Was your family/environment encouraging?

Hey guys, thanks for having me and sparing some time for having this interview. Well,I grew up in a family of musicians,so I was always involved as a child, with instruments and music all around. Even though I started as a piano player,I quickly discovered the world of guitar and never looked back. I guess it felt as a natural choice,both playing the guitar and deciding to be a professional musician. My family,in general,is very free minded and supportive,so I was always encouraged to do what I want.

Did you study at a music school? How important do you believe music studies are for a musician?

I went to a music school,for a few years,but I guess having my father and my uncle around,made the learning process much more easy,because they are both guitarists. So my main study was not in a music school. Of course,as I grew up and through searching,listening,reading books,I was able to establish my own way of practicing and playing what I liked,at the time given. Studying in general is very important,regardless of the subject. The more you learn,the more efficient you are. So yes,I think it’s very important to have music studies,but it’s not necessary to be in an academical level. That depends on the person and what goals he’s having.

What led you to pick the guitar? And do you play any other instruments?

Well,that’s actually a funny story. I was looking through my father’s closet in order to find some clothes and even though I was always surrounded by guitars,it was that day,that I saw a guitar in the closet and decided to pick it up. I went straight to my uncle and asked him to show me something to play. He showed me a Van Halen tapping and after a while I played it. That was it. I immediately fell in love with the guitar. So I guess,my father’s clothes,led me to pick this instrument. I also play the piano and the bass guitar,obviously not on the same level as I play the guitar.

You are an excellent guitar player. What do you like the most: jamming on a certain theme or improvising, and why?

I don’t think that playing certain themes,mine or someone else’s,is my thing. And I say playing and not jamming,because for me,jamming and improvising is the same thing. Both these situations require imagination and creativity that a certain theme can’t give you in the same amount. Improvise and/or jam gives you freedom to do and play whatever you feel like,and that sense of freedom may lead you to new paths which is always exciting.

What are your strengths and your weaknesses as a musician? How do you capitalize on the first and how do you work on the second?

That’s a difficult question. One of my strengths,I believe,is the versatility I have,in playing equally well,in a number of genres and the fact that I always try to find my space,in a content of a song with the right feel,sound or whatever the song needs from the guitar. One of my many weaknesses,is that I can’t play as well as I want fingerstyle. In my job,I’m asked a lot of times to play with my fingers and it’s something that I struggle through every time,but with some success at the end. I guess that the more I play with other musicians and especially musicians that I don’t know, it capitalizes by itself. Regarding my fingerstyle or my weaknesses in general,the answer is only one. Practice and practice.

Why did you decide to release an EP rather than a full length?

The original idea was to release a single. When I decided to record the first song,I had already composed three new songs. Through the recordings another two songs came up and I ended up with six songs. I didn’t want to wait any longer and decided to release the E.P. It’s my first attempt,so I wanted to see how it would do and how I would feel about it and then to decide if I wanted to do a single or a full album.

Please give us the composing, recording and producing details of “Distorted” EP.

As I told you before,the idea was to release a single. Eventually they became six songs. Due to the heavy schedule with my job,it took me around two years to complete the E.P. All the pre-production was made at my home studio and when I was ready for a song I went to the studio to record it properly. All the guitar and bass parts were recorded at my home studio and reamped at the studio when it was necessary of course. Five drummers played in total and most of the keyboard parts were recorded by Derek Sherinian. All the recording,mixing and mastering were done at the BK studios in Athens Greece.

How easy is it for the average metal fan to “follow” an instrumental album? Some argue that instrumental music is addressed exclusively to musicians. What is your opinion?

I think that instrumental music in general,due to the non existence of vocals,can’t be as popular as a song that has vocals and music with vocals broadly. That said,I believe it’s quite easy for an average listener,to be connected with an instrumental song or album,provided that the song is not made to impress or show off the composer’s abilities,but to create emotions to the listener,and understand that what he hears is a song and an expression of  the composer’s feelings. To put it simply,any song, which has something to say,with or without vocals,can easily be “followed”by a fan or an audience in general.

Why did you choose to cover The Beatles? And what do you think makes The Beatles an all-time classic band?

The specific song I chose to cover,appeared in my mind from time to time. I took it as a sign and decided to do something with that. Obviously it is a beautiful song,and one of my favorites from The Beatles. I believe that there are lots of reasons which  make this band so great. Their music and imaginative composing ability,the years that this band was created,their image. They are, in general, pioneers in many aspects of the music industry,and their place,as one of the best bands ever,is well earned.

What is the feedback you have gotten so far for “Distorted” EP? Are you satisfied with it?

Feedback is great. The main thing that I’m proud of,is that each song,has its own fan base,and that means that all songs are as I felt,good songs. That’s a great success,for me personally.

What will you change in the way you work for your next release? Have you started working on new songs already?

I have no idea..The only thing that’s certain,is that I will have some songs with vocals. Other than that,I’ll probably change nothing. I know what I want and know the people that can help me achieve that. I have six songs already written and searching for the next.. Inspiration and creativity is always there,I just have to find a way to connect with them..

You have also worked as a session/guest musician. Please share your experience.

Yes,I am a session musician the last 22 years. I feel very lucky and privileged to have a career in this field. I have traveled around the world more than once,for gigs and tours with numerous artists. I have performed in stadiums and in very famous venues. Through the years and the journeys,I believe that I became wiser,more patient,more open minded,kinder and that’s the best reward anyone can ask,from his chosen profession.

Do you have any plans to go live in support of the newly released “Distorted” EP?

Hopefully the whole pandemic thing,will come to an end and then the first thing to do is playing live. Gather the band,rehearse , get out there and play music!

What is your opinion on unplugged music? Would you ever go unplugged or rather remain “Distorted”?

I love unplugged music. Listening to it and of course playing unplugged. I always felt that it had a more direct approach comparing with anything that goes through electricity. One of my future plans is to release a full album with unplugged music. So,yeah,I can go unplugged anytime you want,in fact,many of the songs I write,are first played on an acoustic guitar. Guitar is so versatile as an instrument,it would be a shame,not to want to play in its all variations.

Thank you for the interview, Foivos. Please let us know the way to communicate with you and/or order your work. Good luck with everything!

You’re welcome,it was my pleasure. I want to thank you again,for giving me the opportunity to say and communicate some things about myself and my E.P. My social media are :

Instagram – https://bit.ly/2KTkLi4

Facebook Page – https://bit.ly/2VhHOoH

Links to order the E.P.

Bandcamp – https://bit.ly/2JmAqpj

Amazon – https://amzn.to/37A71k7

Apple Music – https://apple.co/33L0hPh

Links to listen the E.P

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2JIV4QP

SoundCloud – https://bit.ly/37jXcXg

Youtube page – https://bit.ly/39xAVYD

Thank you again..