Introducing Interview: Leon Of Athens

Originally from Athens, Leon Veremis’ sound evolved while living in the city’s counter cultural quarter, Exarchia. The first material he released was inspired by a country in crisis, making headlines there and in the US, and he was soon playing to huge audiences. Now based in London, Leon creates soulful electro-pop laced with social commentary and a colourful energy. With a new album, Global, out next month, we caught up with Leon Of Athens to find out more.

Please introduce yourself Leon of Athens!
My name is Leon Veremis. I was born in London and grew up in Athens.

Why did you decide to move from Athens to London?
I decide to move to London because it’s probably the world’s music capital. I wanted to be in a creative environment surrounded by music.

What is the scene like in Athens and how does it compare to London?
There is a blooming independent scene in Athens at the moment, even though the economic and socio-political conditions haven’t been the best.

Are there lots of English speaking Greek bands and any you can recommend to us?
Some bands/artists worth listening to are Wheresewilder, Katerine Duska, The Cave Children and Moa Bones.

What do you miss about Greece the most?
The sun, my family, my friends, light and culture, and the sea.

Because there aren’t many Greek bands over here, do you feel you are flying the flag for Greece in a sense?
I choose not to see it that way. It’s more about the place I grew up and the connection I feel with the people and the culture.

You’ve released ‘Lifeline’ as a free download, what is the track about?
‘Lifeline’ is not a break-up song. It’s a question: is true love just an idea or is it possible?

‘Global’ is your next single and it’s a re-release. Why did you decide to re-release the single?
Leon of Athens is a new project to the UK audience and hopefully this re-release will give the opportunity for more people to listen to the song.

What are your musical influences?
Diversity is something I appreciate in general, especially when it comes to music. Some of my influences are Brian Eno, Talking Heads, Nick Drake, Neil Young, The Cure, Fugazi, Love, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Sufjan Stevens, Steve Reich, Aphex Twin….

What are your plans for the rest of the year?
We will be touring around the UK, Greece and rest of Europe and in the Fall I will be recording my next album which will be released the summer of 2016.

Global, the new album from Leon Of Athens, is out 1 June via Believe Digital.

Mari Lane

Mari Lane

Editor, London. Likes: Kathleen Hanna, 6Music, live music in the sunshine. Dislikes: Sexism, pineapples, the misuse of apostrophes.