‘The Eighth Note’ is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians.
A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music.
Today’s guest is ambient/electronica artist Vasili, who has just released his latest album ‘All Is Vanity’.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
Originally from Athens, Greece, I moved in NZ in 2001. First 5 years in ChCh and then wellington with a stint in London in between. I’ve been involved with music since the early 90s, being involved with the early rave movement and Manchester scene in Greece. Hosting parties and bringing artists to play. Towards the late 90s started working with a friend writing music. But my personal musical career started around 2009 playing in wellington with various friends and musicians as an open invitation experiment outfit. My music is a variation of all the influences throughout my life span. I started with a classical strings album called Anypsosis and from then on worked on an experimental electronica, ethnic fusion, dance and most recently I’ve managed to compile all the above to my latest release.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
The new release that just came out is called ‘All Is Vanity’ and is a 18 song album that covers ambient, trip hop and minimal techno with classical and dream pop touches. Same time there is a new video clip released every week from a project of various visual artists that they based in Europe. At the end of the releases it will be a film of the videos based on the idea that I gave them during the making of the album, which is the subject of vanity and what it means to them.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
The best place to reach my music is through my Website, and that can take you to my Bandcamp page to which you can download my music and on most streaming services under VASILI.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
It is very hard to pinpoint 3 albums that defined me but among all of them one is Endtroducing by DJ shadow. Another will be Selected Ambient by Aphex Twin and another will be any Vangelis and Eno album.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
Haven’t thought too much about collaborating yet but I do like and relate to Rhian Sheehan.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Venue it has to be San Fran in wellington or the Sound Shell at the Botanical Gardens.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
In regards composing or arranging my music it starts with the mood I am in and the sounds I hear. Once I have an idea of what sort of sound it is then I built everything around it. It usually becomes obvious after a few takes on how it will sound and then is up to making an arrangement that lifts it up.
Where/when is your next gig?
I am hoping to do a few shows here once I have all my visuals and which songs I will perform ready and then head to Europe and do a few shows there with hopefully a few festivals in Greece around September. Once I know where and when it will be posted on the Website and on my Spotify and Souncloud pages.