Interview with Nikos Economopoulos by Manos Kornaros

Interview with Nikos Economopoulos by Manos Kornaros at the radio show “Mouzika Asteria” (Melody88) – 24 November, 2010

(Abridged and translated)

The recent interview which Manos Kornaros, the broadcaster of the radio Melody88 (based in Sitia, Creta ) organized with Nikos Economopoulos for the show Music Stars, gave us a chance to learn about some plans and some thoughts of a talented, young and - as Manos accentuated - much beloved singer.

Manos chose the topic about a new Nikos’ song Ksimeronei (“Dawning”) as the main subject for the whole interview. Written by two young authors (Vangelis Karatzanos – lyrics, Giannis Fraseris - music), this song became very popular straight away after first appearance on air.

Manos: The new song is a new page opening in your successful career. How does it happen, that every song you sing becomes loved by all the people?

Nikos: Is it my success or failure – I never understand? I only know and feel the songs themselves. I am trying to find compositions which touch me and then the same happens to the public. For me the most important thing is to know people love songs which embody parts of the souls of their creators. If this is happening I am happy!

Manos: It is rare when a new artist is having one success after another like you have.
Nikos: Thank you very much and my thanks to people who approve and love me.

Manos: What can you say about collaboration with Vangelis Karatzanos and Giannis Fraseris, the composers of Ksimeronei?
Nikos: Both of them are very good at their job. When they showed me the song I thought – I need something of that kind, different from what I sang before, something cheerful, happy. This song talks about our everyday life.

Manos: When is your new album expected to be released? What are you going to give to people this time?
Nikos: I believe that this new CD will be even better then what I had before. It is made of many types of music: zembekiko, rock ballad, dramatic (so called “songs of the broken heart”), lyrical love songs, all sorts in one CD. There will be 13 excellent tracks there – many thanks to the creators of the songs! Besides there will be a surprise duet with one dear friend and colleague of mine.

All these things you will know close to the 6th December when the CD will be released by my new musical home – record label Minos EMI. After a very successful collaboration with Sony, when my contract with them was expired I had proposals from all the record companies. My instinct led me to work with the Mions-EMI, and I am very happy with this my choice.

Manos: This year you appeared at “Fix” together with Nino and Ioakim, adding some fire to the night life of Athens. Can you say a few words about this collaboration?

Nikos: We started onat 12th November. This is a youth show, we work every Friday and Saturday. I found from the two weeks we worked, that even though there is financial hardship in Greece, people are coming to the club. Such love from the public is indescribable!

Manos: Until when will this show will be continuing?
Nikos: Nothing is clear yet. As long as people come we will work.
_______

Other questions discussed touched various spheres of life and music.

Here are some of them:

Manos: If you could imagine that you can change your work, what it would be?
Nikos: I put a lot of effort into what I am doing, so I would not change anything.

Manos: Nikos, what party you are?
Nikos: I think there are no parties of musical kind, so I am not a party. I sympathize the national parties, but not a particular one.

Manos: Has your character changed since you started singing in the night clubs?
Nikos: I have been singing there for 10 years already and as a person I have not changed at all, nothing in me is going to be changed. So, I was, I am, and I am going to be forever myself.

Manos: With which artist you would like to work together? What are your impressions about your collaboration with Giannis Parios?
Nikos: I would like to work with any artist who loves music and not the glitter and tinsel about it. My collaboration with Giannis Parios was the best experience for me. He is a big artist and a big person.

Manos: Did you try to suit the “radio broadcasting style’ (format) with this new track?
Nikos: It was a beautiful song and I felt the urge to sing it. I did not change my style. The new CD will have songs of the kind people are used to hearing from me.

Of course, Nikos was showered with questions from his numerous fans and managed to answer some of them.
At the end of the interview Nikos addressed some warm words directly to his public, to people who love him:

“I wish everything good for you, wish you to have health, a happy life; I wish you to see things with optimism, with positive energy. We all should be changed, trying to do our life better, not only for ourselves but for the people near us. One should help another, as Jesus Christ said. I wish you health, love and above all the peace in the world!

The new album of Nikos Economopoulos titled DORO GIA SENA (A Gift for You) will be released in the first days of December.

Translated and written by Guido d’Arezzo
Edited by Theo Simeonidis

Many thanks to Manos Kornaros (Melody 88) and Eirini Eusebi