In modern Greece, koutouki is usually an underground restaurant or tavern where patrons are often treated by local musicians playing laika and rebetika. Koutouki offers a welcoming, cosy and joyful atmosphere to anyone that visits them.
The “Musiki Koutouki” event will try to convey the same atmosphere, in a much different setting, on March 12 at Sparta Place, as part of the Brunswick Music Festival, Melbourne’s longest running inner-city music festival. Under the gaze of King Leonidas statue, the free, open-air event will showcase the modern contemporary sounds of Greece that represent today’s Melbourne.
It is another sign that we might be moving in some kind of normality after two trying years with silenced stages and numerous cancellations of gigs and shows due to the pandemic.
“One thing that lockdown taught us is that we can’t predict what tomorrow will bring. It’s nice to see Greek musicians coming together again, performing and promoting Greek music in Melbourne”, says Con Kalamaras from the band Eirinaki.
Con formed Eirinaki with Stav Thomopoulos after a music jam, just before Covid hit. They will soon release their debut album that will only have original songs—one of the few original releases of Greek songs from Australia in the last decade.
“On Saturday we will be presenting all original tracks from our upcoming album. There are various elements there, from old smyrneika, to entexna and contemporary Greek music. And for this performance we will perform as a quartet. Apart from me and Stav, Adrian Close will be on bass and Joseph Tsombanopoulos on percussion.
The second act of the event, Omados, are no strangers to open events and people dancing. Actually, they formed to play music for the dance club “O Periklis”. They soon started their common music journey and apart from performances, they have already released one EP.
“Our music has influences from many regions of Greece such as Thrace, Macedonia and Crete. We create medleys and our versions of songs, but we always keep it traditional,” says Katerina Stevens violinist of the band.
“I also like the concept of an outdoor event of Greek music. It is a great opportunity to connect and share an experience with the audience.”
While Katerina believes that the uplifting beats of Greek music make people get off their seats and dance, there are elements that need closer attention from the audience otherwise they will be missed.
“Greek music is about dancing but it is also about active listening and in our set there will be themes in between our songs that are not usually played. Dancing or sitting down, they will be something for all.”
Cats and the Canary. Photo: Supplied
Cats and the Canary. Photo: Supplied
Cats and the Canary. Photo: Supplied
Saturday’s event has a special meaning for veteran Greek-Australian musician George Kiriakidis and his band Totally Kicking Brass. “ We enjoy playing this kind of music individually and we did it a lot the past two years. But the truth is that this music was made for bands and to make bring people together. It is a built-up from the individual the band, to the dancers and the crowd. This is the power of music and we are glad that we will experience it once again.”
Totally Kicking Brass is a Greek brass ensemble is featuring folk music commonly seen in the Macedonian prefectures of Kozani, Florina, and Kastoria in northern Greece. This musical style is known as “Halkina” and the band consists of clarinet, accordion, saxophone, trumpet, bass drum and snare drum.
“Our music has a lot of Greek, Bulgarian and Turkish influences. Bringing all these varieties together makes for a very dynamic and complex sound, but it is music made to dance to. We have performed during the pandemic, but I believe that now people can feel more relaxed and start dancing freely and passionately,” he says,
Cats and the Canary, will close the event, bringing Greek swing back to Melbourne stage. Since last May, the band hasn’t played any gig due to covid restrictions and line-up changes.
“Cats and the Canary are a very unique offering in Melbourne’s Greek music scene. We pay homage to some of Greece’s most prolific composers, take beloved tunes from the past and then flip them on their head. Tsitsanis, Chiotis, Hadjidakis get melded with swing, jazz and even Latin sounds. And I always love bringing a theatrical flair to my performances,” says Artemis Ioannides, singer of the band.
The band has been known for its upbeat performances and energy and for the first time, they will bring Jacob Papadopoulos on the bouzouki to join them.
“Greek music has always lived in the intersection between struggle and celebration. We dance out our worries and find solace in humour and togetherness. We cannot wait to do that with our audience at BMF.”
Well-known DJ and radio producer Adriana will entertain the audience between the different bands, spinning classic and contemporary Greek tunes.
When: Saturday March 12, at 3pm
Who: Erinaki + Omados + Totally Kicking Brass + Cats and the Canary + Adriana
Where: Sparta Place, Sparta Pl, Brunswick, 3056
*This is a free entry event.