Συνέντευξη: Παναγιώτης Κουφογιάννης

Το LOMWμε περηφάνια σας παρουσιάζει τον Παναγιώτη Κουφογιάννη. Η πρώτη ανάρτηση μας από την Κύπρο! Είναι ένας πολύ ταλαντούχος μουσικός. Αγαπά τις ατάκες στα τραγούδια και αυτός είναι ένας από τους λόγους που θα μπει στην κορυφή των playlist μας.

LOMW: Παναγιώτη καλώς ήρθες στο LOMW! Είμαστε πολύ περήφανοι που σε έχουμε εδώ. Πρώτα από όλα πες μας από πού ακριβώς απαντάς αυτήν την συνέντευξη εξ αποστάσεως;

Π.Κ: Γειας σας και ευχαριστώ για το ενδιαφέρον που δείξατε! J Αυτήν την στιγμή βρίσκομαι στην Αμερική και πιο συγκεκριμένα στην Μασαχουσέτη, στην Βοστόνη. 

LOMW: Από τον Στροβολο στην Βοστόνη, πώς ήταν αυτό το ταξίδι; Από την σκέψη στην πράξη;

Π.Κ: Είναι όντως ένα μεγάλο ταξίδι. Είναι δύσκολο να αφήσεις την ζωή στην πατρίδα πίσω άλλα είχα ένα όνειρο και ήθελα να το κυνηγήσω και αυτό έκανε την μεταφορά πιο εύκολη.

LOMW: Είσαι αρκετά διάσημος στο YouTube. Έχεις διασκευάσει τα πιο γνωστά κομμάτια και ο κόσμος φαίνεται να τα αγαπάει! Πόσο εύκολο ή δύσκολο είναι να δουλεύεις χωρίς κάποια δισκογραφική;

Π.Κ: Χαχαχα, ευχαριστώ αν και είμαι ακόμα μακριά από το να γίνω διάσημος. Είμαι αρκετά μικρός και σχετικά άγνωστος. Είναι πολύ δύσκολο όταν δουλεύεις χωρίς υποστήριξη από κάποιον χορηγό ή δισκογραφική εταιρεία. Το μόνο πράγμα που κρατά τους καλλιτέχνες να δουλεύουν σε αυτές τις συνθήκες είναι η αγάπη τους για αυτό που κάνουν. Είναι πολύ σημαντικό για μένα που μερικοί άνθρωποι αγαπάνε αυτό που κάνω και μου ζητάνε να κάνω περισσότερα. Τα μηνύματα τους και καλές τους κουβέντες με κάνουν να θέλω να δημιουργώ όλο και περισσότερη μουσική!

LOMW: Μπορείς να περιγράψεις πώς είναι να ζεις εκεί έξω στην «τσιμεντένια ζούγκλα»;

Π.Κ: Είναι πολύ δύσκολο ειδικά όταν η ειδικότητα του μουσικού είναι πραγματική ζόρικη από την άποψη ότι πρέπει να βγάλεις τα προς το ζην από αυτό. Τελικά έχει να κάνει με την νοοτροπία και από πια σκοπιά βλέπεις τα πράγματα στην ζωή σου. Είμαι πολύ θετικό άτομο και προσπαθώ να διορθώσω τα πράγματα αντί να παραπονιέμαι για αυτά.

LOMW: Τα τραγούδια σου έχουν την αίσθηση του σήμερα. Το "Financial Crisis" και το "Me Vs Life" μιλάνε προφανώς για την καθημερινότητα , όμως τι άλλο σε βάζει σε διάθεση να γράψεις;

Π.Κ: Εμπνέομαι από τα πάντα. Έχω πολλά δικά μου κομμάτια. Μακάρι μια μέρα να μπορώ να παρουσιάσω περισσότερα από όσα έχω βγάλει μέχρι τώρα ώστε να μπορέσουν να τα ακούσουν όλα όσοι θέλουν! Γράφω pop μουσική με αστείους στίχους αλλά και για την αγάπη, τον πόνο και πιο μυστηριώδη θέματα όπως την θρησκεία, τον χρόνο και ήρωες βιβλίων και ταινιών.

LOMW: Ήσουν το νούμερο 1 στις κατατάξεις των iTunes  της Κύπρου με το “Financial Crisis”  τι σημαίνει για σένα να είσαι το νούμερο 1 στην πατρίδα σου;

Π.Κ: Σημαίνει πολλά στα αλήθεια! Δεν είναι δύσκολο να γίνεις νούμερο 2 στην Κύπρο βέβαια για να είμαι ειλικρινής. Ο κόσμος μόλις άρχισε να χρησιμοποιεί το iTunes εκεί, άλλα και πάλι είναι υπέροχο πράγμα, δείχνει ότι αναγνωρίζουν την μουσική μου.

LOMW: Ποιοι είναι οι άνθρωποι χωρίς τους οποίους δεν θα είχες φτάσει ως εδώ;

-Θα μπορούσα να πω 100 ονόματα. Αλλά θα έλεγα η οικογένειά μου γιατί στηρίζει τις επιλογές μου και με βοηθάνε κυρίως οικονομικά. Και αν έπρεπε να διαλέξω έναν μόνο μουσικό θα διάλεγα την δασκάλα φωνητικής μου Charlie Sorrento που μου έμαθε σπουδαία πράγματα!

LOMW: Ποια είναι τα μελλοντικά σου σχέδια; Έχεις σχεδιάσει ίσως κάποια περιοδεία ή κάποιο άλμπουμ;

Π.Κ: Δουλεύω με πολύ κόσμο ως παραγωγός και τραγουδοποιός. Ο στόχος μου είναι να ανέβω σταδιακά και να κάνω μεγαλύτερο το κανάλι μου στο YouTube επειδή αυτήν την στιγμή είναι το μόνο μέσον για να δείξω την μουσική μου στον κόσμο.

LOMW: Τι θα πρέπει να περιμένουν οι θαυμαστές σου από σένα;

Π.Κ: Ακόμα ωριμάζω ως καλλιτέχνης οπότε καινούριες ιδέες μου έρχονται συνέχεια! Θα δημοσιεύω συχνά καινούρια κομμάτια και αυτές οι ιδέες θα παρουσιάζονται με αυτά! Προσπαθώ να ακούω ό, τι μου λέει ο κόσμος και να βελτιώνομαι όπως θέλουν, άλλωστε ο κόσμος είναι που σε ανεβάζει και σε αναγνωρίζει.

LOMW: Σε ευχαριστώ που ήσουν μαζί μας στο LOMW, Παναγιώτη! Σου ευχόμαστε να μην εγκαταλείψεις ποτέ τα όνειρά σου, γιατί όλα τους θα γίνουν κάποτε πραγματικότητα! Είμαστε πάντα εδώ για να υποστηρίζουμε ανθρώπους με ταλέντο. Σε περιμένουμε λοιπόν με κάτι καινούριο. Να είσαι καλά και να απολαμβάνεις κάθε στιγμή! :)

Π.Κ: Σε ευχαριστώ πολύ και πάλι, ευχαριστώ για το ενδιαφέρον! :)

ΒΡΕΣ ΤΟΝ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΏΤΗ ΕΔΩ: 

https://www.facebook.com/PanAndMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/PanAndMusic

Interview: Panagiotis Koufogiannis

LOMW proudly presents Panagiotis Koufogiannis. The very first Cypriot entry! He is a very talented musician. He loves the punch lines and that’s why his originals are going to be on top of our playlists!

LOMW: Panagiotis, welcome on LOMW! We are very proud to have you here. First of all tell us from where exactly are you answering this long-distance Q&A?
P.K.: Hello and thanks for showing interest! :) I am currently located in the United States. More precisely in Boston, Massachusetts.

LOMW: From Strovolos to Boston, how was that journey? From thinking about it to actually do it…
P.K.: It ‘s quite the journey. It is hard to leave your life in the motherland behind but I have a dream and wanted to pursue it which made the transition a lot easier.


LOMW: You are quite famous in YouTube. You have covers from every popular song and people seem to love them! How easy or difficult is it to work unsigned?
P.K.: Hahaha, thank you but I’m far from being famous. I’m still pretty small and unknown. It is really difficult when you work with no support from a sponsor or a record label. The only thing that keeps artists working under such conditions is their love about what they do. It is really important for me that a few people like what I do and they ask for more. Their messages and good words make me want to keep creating more and more music!

LOMW: Can you describe us what it means to be out there in the “concrete jungle”?
P.K.: It’s pretty tough especially when the profession of being a musician is a really hard one in terms of making a living out of it. In the end it comes down to your mentality and your point of view towards your life. I’m a really positive person so I just try to fix things rather than complain about them.

LOMW: Your originals seem to have today’s sense. “Financial Crisis” or “Me Vs Life” are obviously inspired by the daily life, but what else puts you into writing-mode?
P.K.: I am inspired by almost everything. I have numerous original songs. Hopefully one day I can release more than what I have so far so people can listen! I write a lot of pop music with ‘silly’ lyrics but I also like writing about love, pain and more obscure subjects such as religion, time or characters of movies/books.

LOMW: You’ve hit the number 1 in Cyprus iTunes chart with “Financial Crisis” what does it mean for you to be number one in your home?
P.K.: It means a lot really! It’s not really a hard thing to hit number 1 in Cyprus though – I like to be honest-. People scarcely use iTunes there but again, it’s a great thing, it shows some level of acknowledgement about my music.


LOMW: Who are the people that without them you wouldn’t come that far?
P.K.: I would list a hundred names if I could. But I would say my family for supporting my choices and backing me up especially financially. And if I had to pick only one musician I’d pick my voice teacher Charlie Sorrento who taught me amazing things!

LOMW: What are your future plans? Have you anything planned like a tour or the release of an album?
P.K.: I work with a lot of people as a producer and a songwriter. My goal is to make my way up gradually and steadily and also make my YouTube channel bigger because this is my only medium through which I can show my music to people.

LOMW: What should your fans expect from your work?
P.K.: I still grow as an artist so new ideas emerge all the time! I will be releasing new material on a regular basis and those ideas will be present in it. I try to listen what people tell me and improve the way they want me to, otherwise they are the ones who give you credit!

LOMW: Thank you for being here on LOMW, Panagiotis! We wish you never give up on your dreams, because all of them will come true! We are always here to support people with talent. So, we are expecting you here with a new original!! Be good and have fun for the rest of your life! :)
P.K.: Thank you so much and again, thanks for the interest! :)

Find Panagiotis here:
https://www.facebook.com/PanAndMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/PanAndMusic

Raveena Aurora-Grey Eyes

This is Raveena Aurora and her soul-folk music. She is currently living in Brooklyn where she studies in NYU. Her voice is extra ordinary just like her talent in songwriting! Writing is the way she processes and understands what she's feeling, as she states! This song, "Grey Eyes" is going to travel you by the sea, counting the waves! Let yourself free, listening to Aurora!

Raveena Aurora-Grey Eyes

We lie and sleep
Open your eyes to me

You are a sea
Of grey and green

We lie and leap
In and between

Those grey eyes
Grey eyes
Grey eyes

Give me the key
To the underneath

Of all that grey
All that green

We lie and leap
In and between

Those grey eyes
Grey eyes
Grey eyes

U2-Ordinary Love

There are no words to describe those Irish people! Their band-name "U2", the reason to post this mainstream band is because first they deserve it and second they've just released their new track "Ordinary Love" as a soundtrack for the new movie "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom" and the lyrics are here and the lyric video is here. And after all we have anything you need here on #LOMW.
Enjoy :)

U2-Ordinary Love

The sea wants to kiss the golden shore
The sunlight warms your skin
All the beauty that's been lost before
Wants to find us again

I can't fight you anymore
It's you I'm fighting for
The sea throws rock together
But time leaves us polished stones

We can't fall any further
If we can't feel ordinary love
We cannot reach any higher
If we can't deal with ordinary love

Birds fly high in the summer sky
And rest on the breeze
The same wind will take care of you and
I will build our house in the trees

Your heart is on my sleeve
Did you put there with a magic marker
For years I would believe
That the world couldn't wash it away

'Cause we can't fall any further
If we can't feel ordinary love
We cannot reach any higher
If we can't deal with ordinary love

Are we tough enough
For ordinary love

We can't fall any further
If we can't feel ordinary love
We cannot reach any higher
If we can't deal with ordinary love

We can't fall any further
If we can't feel ordinary love
We cannot reach any higher
If we can't deal with ordinary love

Sarah Blasko-God-Fearing

You could say she is a fairy! You could say that she is a troubled fairy! One thing is for real and this is her talent. Sarah Blasko has a very rare talent. The raw vocals and the incredibly dark lyrics, always trying to reach her inner self! The way to whatever is called "God" or "faith". She is from Australia with roots from Bulgaria. That's why she collaborated with the Bulgarian Orchestra for her last album "I Awake". The strings to each song can touch that last nerve you have deep inside and make that tear fall! “God-Fearing is essentially about being bullied. About feeling used up and spat out. When we shot it I was tired, jetlagged and a little drunk, and my emotional state was really raw. Some of it's really hard for me to watch because I know that my feelings were so genuine,” she says. This is exactly what you are going to watch here and read the lyrics! Enjoy the masterpiece! :)

Sarah Blasko-God-Fearing

You've got a nerve, you know you make me hate One thing I'd love you try to take away 
I'm not beaten down, I won't behave 
Just listen this once or you will rue this day 

You have no respect For me tonight if you're not listening 
It might be unkind but it might be right 
That you're not listening 

Set them up, knock them down Cast them left, cast them right 
God-fearing tonight 
Biting my lip and holding my tongue 
Was the most stupid thing that I've ever done 
Got carried away, let myself down 
I'll shoulder that blame if you'll admit what you've done 

You have no respect For me tonight if you're not listening 
It might be unkind but it might be right 

That you're not listening
Set them up, knock them down Cast them left, cast them right 
God-fearing tonight

The Tragic Thrills-Tears

You all know how much we love and support indepedent musicians and this band self-funded the whole debut album! This move gave them the freedom to be out there all alone with their emotions, states Porter, the lead singer of "The Tragic Thrills". From being "Allstar Weekend", they became this new band! With Porter writing all the lyrics and trying to examine every word for its honesty! Their first single "Tears" is for those who thought that we can't fight for love anymore! Watch their music video for "Tears" and read the lyrics that knocks you out! :)

The Tragic Thrills-Tears
I lost it all 
I punched the wall again
But it was stronger than my hands
And they were swollen, they were red

And I'm a fool
I'm not a lion, I'm a man
I can't outrun the hurt, they said
But I can love and love again
You too
You too

We got scars reminding us
That we got hearts that bleed
Next time we're dealt dirty cards
We've got tears so we can weep

I took control
When I was pressing sheets
Tryin' to cry myself to sleep
Slapped some good sense into me

I cut the rope
Lifted the chin that held my head
A moment of silence and regret
And felt the pounding in my chest
Oh, yeah

We got scars reminding us
That we got hearts that bleed
Next time we're dealt dirty cards
We've got tears so we can weep

They don't know the pain in love
'Cause they love apathy
Maybe we are better off
Havin' tears so we can weep

Sticks and thorns tearin' up holes
Turnin' us to stone
We're all made naked by the truth
Sticks and thorns won't ever hush my soul
Whatever love I know

We got scars reminding us
That we got hearts that bleed
And next time we're dealt dirty cards
We've got tears so we can weep

They don't know the pain in love
'Cause they love apathy
Maybe we are better off
Havin' tears so we can weep

Maybe we are better off
Havin' tears so we can weep

OK Go – This Too Shall Pass

"OK Go" is a band from Chicago! They play alternative pop music. Even if their music is incredible they are known for their creative-innovative music videos. Their first hit was "A Million Ways" and the official music video was filmed simply at the lead-singers backyard! One camera, a choreography and love for what they are doing were enough for their name to be heard around the globe! People from everywhere are still uploading videos with them dancing the initial choreo! "This Too Shall Pass" is used right now for Spotify launch in Greece. You will love the music video and the melody is going to get stuck in your mind for a week! :) Enjoy!

OK Go – This Too Shall Pass 

You know you can't keep lettin' it get you down
And you can't keep draggin' that dead weight around.
If there ain't all that much to lug around,
Better run like hell when you hit the ground.

When the morning comes.
When the morning comes.

You can't stop these kids from dancin'.
Why would you want to?
Especially when yor already gettin' yours.
'Cause if your mind don't move and your knees don't bend,
well don't go blamin' the kids again.

When the morning comes.
When the morning comes.

When the morning comes.
When the morning comes.

When the morning comes.
When the morning comes.

Let it go, this too shall pass.
Let it go, this too shall pass.

Let it go, this too shall pass.
(You know you can't keep lettin' it get you down. No, you can't keep lettin' it get you down.)

Let it go, this too shall pass.
(You know you can't keep lettin' it get you down. No, you can't keep lettin' it get you down.)

Hey!

Let it go, this too shall pass.
(You know you can't keep lettin' it get you down. No, you can't keep lettin' it get you down.)

Bombay Bicycle Club-Carry Me

When we are talking about good music, we have to talk about Bombay Bicycle Club as well! They are the incredible creators from England! Their brand-brand new music video for their fresh track "Carry Me" is here to have us wonder if they have changes their indie-folk-rock music style! This track sounds really different... more digital! For the music video -THAT GOT RELEASED ONLY YESTERDAY- they had artists around the world participate with their add-ons draws! Animated stuff are all around the members and the dancers! The interactivity seems to win lately in the new generation's media! While we are waiting for Bombay's new album to come out, we can watch their music video and read the lyrics of "Carry Me" here!  

Bombay Bicycle Club-Carry Me

You try to keep the options near
I want you home, I want you here
The lasting song across the track
(I won’t change here & now)
The rest it never calls me back

If anybody wants to know
Our love’s getting old
Lighting the cracks in the road
You carry you carry you carry you carry me

(I won't change here an now)

It’s time I let my mind desire
I never meant to cause you harm
Just try to keep the options near
I want you home, I want you here
You carry you carry you carry you carry me

(I won't change here & now)

If anybody wants to know
Our love's getting old
Lighting the cracks in the road
You carry me

Cults-Go Outside

The Cults is an indie pop band from USA. Madeline and Brian formed this band in 2010 after they met at their studies! They became quite popular, leaving a mystery behind their dark lyrics and the happy melodies! Their first self-titled album had many tracks that every indie-lover enjoyed, but Madeline's favorite is "You Know What I Mean". "Go Outside" was their first single with great success and you will find yourself confused between the melody and the lyrics! Something weird is going on in their heads, but it is a matter of time to find out through their music. Ladies and Gentlemen... The Cults! :)

Cults-Go Outside

I really want to go out
I really want to go outside and stop to see your day
You really want to hole up
You really want to stay inside and sleep the light away

I really want to go out
I really want to go outside and make it light all day
You really want to hole up
You really want to stay inside and not care where you lay

Well I know what's good
Exactly cause I have been there before
Yeah I know what's good
Exactly those things night cannot behold

I really want to go out
I really want to go outside and stop to see your day
You really want to hole up
You really want to stay inside and sleep the light away

I think it's good to go out
cause if you don't you'll never make a memory that will stay
I think that you should wake up
I think I want to live my life and you're just in my way

John Smith - Great Lakes

John Smith is one of the best folk artists that UK presents! His raw talent playing the guitar and the deep-scratchy voice makes you believe that he is like 70, but his image proves you wrong! He is young and talented and he has already released 4 albums. His last one "Great Lakes" will drive you into the love-land! He has played in every popular festival in UK and he was the support act for Ben Howard's tour.  Watch the sweet music video and read the lyrics here.

John Smith - Great LakesI get into the car, drive away from the life
Suddenly certain she won't be my wife
And the jewellery I gave her
Remains in the bottom of a draw

So I go to the water, it is time that I need
Oh my hearts wears a fancy dress, burst at the seams
All that had mattered and all that I've seen
Diving into the great lakes of love

It was foolish resistance 'til I heard in the distance
The drums of the band, they were beating persistently
Letting me know it's nothing but time to move on
Perhaps I'll see her around, hair up top down
And I could watch silently, making no sound
It would soften the blow to leave without saying Hello

So I go to the water, it is time that I need
Love is nothing, love is everything, it's never in between
All that had mattered and all that I've seen
Diving into the great lakes of love

The willow will bend and the wind it will bellow
Straight, straight to the shore
The lake is deception
She waits in the shallows
Swim, swim out for more

So I go to the water, it is time that I need
Oh my heart wears a fancy dress, burst at the seams
All that had mattered and that I've seen
Diving into the great lakes of love

I'm falling into the great lakes of love.

William Fitzsimmons-Centralia

For those who read often this blog they already  know about this cute guy! His name: William Fitzsimmons! His new album: Lion, his brand new unreleased song: Centralia (published today on http://www.pastemagazine.com/). His voice: Passion. Enjoy the lyrics and listen to his amazing voice!

William Fitzsimmons-Centralia

I offer myself to you
Though I am a broken thing
A cardinal with severed wing

In morning to hide my face
Though I am a sunderer
Guised in maternal grace

Heir to a crippled crown
My little elysium
My God how I've let you down

Let me fall 
where you fell back to you

We burn like Centralia
Lost in the ash below
Hoping to find the home

So far may you run from me
The cities with living ??
No fire to fear beneath

Let me fall, through the ground,
where you fell
back to you

Let me fall, through the ground,
where you fell
back to you

The Jungle Giants-Mr. Polite

Those Jungle Giants are coming from Australia, Brisbane. They went to the same school and they formed this indie rock-pop band in 2011. They climbed to Triple J's charts right away with their first track "Mr. Polite". The Jungle Giants' debute film clip delves deep into the world of stop motion animation. Over 2900 frames-each of them individually drawn on a white board-have been strung together to create a world in which chaos, cartoons, and console-inspired settings rule the day. You could say that this song is about love.... generally! :)

The Jungle Giants-Mr. Polite

Comin' around,
i'm gonna take you to town.
i got your name on my collar,
i'm wearing you about.
can i take you out to see the sea?
can i hear another story, please?
are you led to the assumption that your company is something that i need?

hey! i'll only stay if you stay,
i'll only go if you go,
what are we doing anyway?
no! no, i don't even know these people,
but i don't mind a little unfamiliarity while i politely go.

please stop from packing your bags,
or am i moving too fast?
i know we're living in the city,
but here we won't last.
there's a little place near here,
i like to go and see the sky is clear?
well you can come with me and tell me that i am the only one you don't fear.

hey! i'll only stay if you stay,
i'll only go if you go,
what are we doing anyway?
no! no, i don't even know these people,
but i don't mind a little unfamiliarity while i politely go.

why are we waiting?
what are you expecting to see?
why are you waiting?
what are you expecting to see?

hey! i'll only stay if you stay,
i'll only go if you go,
what are we doing anyway?
no! no, i don't even know these people,
but i don't mind a little unfamiliarity while i politely go.
while i politely let go.

Laura Welsh-Cold Front

Do you know this incredible woman? Well, if you don't then we are here to introduce her to you! Her name is Laura Welsh, she is from UK, London and her voice has something from Jessie Ware! There are not manu infos about her life on web but from the songs you can understanf that she has experienced some life-changing moments! You will be amazed by the rawness that the lack of production can provide! The music-video is basically a contemporary choreo and the direction is just great! Enjoy the "Cold Front" and read the lyrics here!

Laura Welsh-Cold Front

Dont wanna think about it
Dont need a picture of it
I think weve traveled enough
No resolution to it, constant confusion
The kind that tears you up

So could we alter the lies?
Could we open the night?
The signs are screaming at us
The signs are screaming

Sad, but we will break it
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I can see youre faking
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now

I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now

Cant we just talk about it
Instead of skating from it?
I think weve wondered enough
Cold front with everybody
The bitter sweet embrace
Kind that fused too much

So could we alter the pace?
Could we open the race?
The signs are screaming at us
The signs are screaming

Sad, but we will break it
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I can see youre faking
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now

I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now

Youre afraid of falling over the line
Youre afraid of falling over the line
Youre afraid of falling over the line
Youre afraid of falling over the line

Sad, but we will break it
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I can see youre faking
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now

I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now
I dont wanna leave you now