The Xaos (Chaos) duo focuses on the idea of Greek identity and transposes this into music. Perhaps their need to do this is based on the fact that they have Greek roots filtered with the identity of other influences. For instance, electronic music composer/keyboardist Ahetas was born in Australia but raised in Greece, whereas Dubulah, the other half of the duo, is a Greek-German born producer of Greek-English parentage.
Together they make music with each track carefully building on layers of swirling sonics but not once forgetting the Greek experience with traditional instruments such as the Pontic lyra, kanonaki zither altogether blended with modern electronics.
Ahetas
Ahetas, a Greek microtonal electronic music composer, keyboard player and painter. He was born in Australia, but grew up in Greece, appearing with various avant-garde and free bands in Athens. These days he spends his time equally between living in London and Athens, painting and composing. He has featured as writer, musician and remixer with S.40, Apeiron, Project Dark, Dub Colossus, Temple of Sound, Syriana and Lucinda Sieger.
Dubulah
Dubulah was born in Germany to a Greek mother and English father and grew up in London listening to Greek music and western music in equal measure. As a performer, producer and writer he has worked with Dub Colossus, Syriana, Transglobal Underground, Natacha Atlas, Samuel Yirga, Awale, and many others. After a career working with artists from around the world, it seemed a natural move to go back to his origins. He is now living in Spain.
The album features microtonally tuned electronic keyboards and sounds from Ahetas and detuned bottleneck dobro, monochord guitars and programming from Dubulah – and the rest of the instrumental line-up is equally brave and ambitious, with some of the best new and established Greek musicians placing their unique talents in an unusual and modern sonic and musical context, both nodding to the future whilst acknowledging a rich and diverse musical past.
Since the Xaos project commenced, European politics and economics have influenced the way the album has evolved. For in recent years, Greece has been a country in crisis, and the fight for survival against insane and counter-productive austerity measures has taken precedence over any cultural expression or art. There was little enough support for homegrown artists before the crisis began, but now there is almost none. But this is a country with a remarkable musical history and massive talent, without outlet or appreciation. And the fight-back has begun.
Musicians:
Ahetas – Arp 2600, Keyboards, Programming
Dubulah – Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Programming
Giorgos Kalaitzoglou – Double Bass
Matthaios Tsahourides – Pontic Lyra
Konstantinos Tsahourides – Vocals
Kalia Baklitzanaki – Nay Flutes, Vocals
Vasilis Sarikis – Drumkit, Daouli, Frame Drums, Greek Shakers, Percussions
Giorgos Makris – Gaida (Greek Pipes), Kaval
Adonis Apergis – Kanonaki, Greek Fretless Guitar, Bul Bul Double Flute
Manos Achalinotopoulos – Clarino, Zournas
Recorded in Greece & the UK:
M+K Studio – Veria, Greece
Kiwi – Athens, Greece
Under the Tree – Athens, Greece
Studio Petropolis (J Agerakis) Athens, Greece
Smokehouse Studio (Paul Madden) – UK
HMVS (Paul Chivers/Eva Djurhuus Brandt) – UK
Produced by Ahetas and Dubulah
Engineered and mastered by Alexis Ghikas
Mixed in Greece, Spain & the UK by Ahetas and Dubula
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