Sakis Gouzonis: Blog

Here is an interview I gave to Highwire Daze magazine, which is based out of Los Angeles, California. You can read the full interview below, or in the Press section of my website -please scroll down.

The Grand Artistry of Sakis Gouzonis

by Kenneth Morton

Sakis Gouzonis is a composer from Greece who’s work has excited and enchanted music aficionados from all across the world. With two CD releases (New Earth and First Contact) and an impressive collection of awards he has achieved throughout his career, the electronic artistry found within the work of Sakis Gouzonis is inspiring to behold. Here is a recent interview we conducted with this talented composer...

Introduce yourself and tell me how long you have been doing electronic music -and who were some of the bands or musicians who influenced you to take on this style of music?

First of all, I would like to thank you for your interest in my music. It really means a lot to me. I am a Greek composer, orchestrator, arranger, and producer of electronic music. I have been playing and writing music since I was a little boy, and I have taken part in many musical projects. However, I began to work on my own a few years ago, and my personal discography counts two albums to date. My first album, First Contact was released internationally on 8 August 2008, and my second album, New Earth was released internationally on 9 September 2009. My music is influenced by Jean Michel Jarre, Vangelis, Yanni, James Horner, Danny Elfman, John Williams, Alan Silvestri, and many other talented composers. I listen to a lot of different music though, and I love digging for things that are new, different, and appealing.

Is there any story or concept behind the title of the CD New Earth?

We are living in a powerful and transformative time when greater light shines from the Heavens onto the Earth. This influx of light is triggering a series of inner shifts and transformations that will ultimately change our outer world. A New Earth is coming in which tears and pain will be a thing of the past. I have worked countless hours to express this change through my music.

What city are you from and what is the music scene like in Greece?

I was born and grew up in Thessaloniki, Greece. The music scene in Greece is very diverse and full of hidden treasures. All kinds of music are performed in Greece and people of all ages and backgrounds come to the shows and support the local scene.

How easy or difficult is it to decide on a title for an instrumental piece?

Very good question. I wouldn’t say it is difficult, but it is very intense. I title my instrumental pieces very carefully. I always try to find a title that reflects the theme and atmosphere of an instrumental composition using the process of elimination.

Do you participate in any other musical projects or bands outside of your solo work? If so, who are they and what are they like?

I used to participate in other musical projects and bands as a keyboardist and orchestrator, but the last couple of years or so I have been working on my own music compositions.

Describe your music to someone who has never heard it before.

Melodic electronic music that lets you escape to some place in your mind that you have never visited before.

You have mentioned that your music is on the Myspace Christian music charts. How does Christianity and the teachings of Christ influence your music?

My music is an expression of my being made in the image of a creative God. The joy that I give away to people has come out of experiences I have had on my own and how through them God has revealed many things. When I write a music composition or give a concert I pray a prayer to God asking Him to guide me and help me be helpful to other people.

Any strange or unusual MySpace stories you could share with us?

A Greek man sent me a message telling me that he had a fight with singer Lyndsay Jackson, and he needed me to pass a message to her. He needed to apologize himself and ask for her forgiveness. He even gave me his telephone number in order to call him and help him out.

You have won quite a few live competitions in Greece. How exciting and nerve wracking is it to perform in these competitions?

It is very exciting and nerve cracking. I think every artist is pretty nervous before and during a music composition contest. Everybody wants to win. The adrenaline is at its peak and the atmosphere is electrified. But at the same time, it is a great way for us artists to obtain a reliable and valued response to our music from professional judges.

Outside of the competitions you have entered, have you ever performed a live set or would you want to do so in the future?

Up to now, I have given more than 900 live performances. Thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds have come to my live performances, and I personally feel very blessed. It is so great seeing so many people enjoying my music. And their comments on my live performances are very encouraging.

With your music being so cinematic, have you ever wanted to compose film scores -and what are some of your favorite film scores or soundtracks?

Yes. I would love to write music for a movie or a documentary some day. It is one of my dreams. Some of my favorite film scores and soundtracks include My Heart Will Go On by James Horner, Edward Scissorhands by Danny Elfman, Jurassic Park by John Williams, Lord Of The Rings by Howard Shore, Star Wars by John Williams, and Harry Potter by John Williams.

What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most after hearing New Earth for the very first time?

I would like my listeners to remember the emotional melodies of the New Earth album, and feel stronger and happier each time they listen to it.

How close are you to writing and recording all new material?

I am currently in my home studio working on my next album. About half of the album is ready at the moment and I am very excited. There is a lot of energy and emotion in my new tracks. I am sure my fans are going to like it.

Do you have any messages for your fans all over the world and/or people now reading about you for the very first time?

Be proud for what you are. Love one another. We are all one. I hope you will check out my New Earth album by visiting my Official Website www.SakisGouzonis.com. Thank you for taking the time to read this interview.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com in January 2010, and allowed me to reach a new record of visiting countries/territories. During January, my site was visited tens of thousands of times by people from 58 countries/territories! This number is the largest since the launch of my Official Website on 1 August 2008. Many thanks to all the visitors, listeners, and readers!

The United States of America is the foreign country that sent me the most visitors during January (40 States have visited my Official Website so far), followed by the United Kingdom. I would like to take this opportunity and thank all my American fans in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, for all their love and support.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Wow! I'm amazed! I just noticed that more than 100.000 people from 196 countries/territories support me online! Just for the history, the 100.000th fan comes from Italy.

I wish to thank each and every one of you for your many thousands of visits to my Official Website and my Blog. Thank you all for listening and downloading my MP3s, buying my CDs, and coming to my live performances. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your moving messages, comments, and e-mails. I have come to know some of you personally by meeting you at my live performances. You have shown me your respect and dedication many times so far, and I really thank you for that. Remember that you can still visit the Contests section of the website and take part in contests by subscribing to my free E-Newsletter. Congratulations to all the winners so far and good luck to the rest of you.

Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity and thank my offline fans and friends for coming to my live performances and buying my albums, as well as all those precious people who have made a donation to help me release my upcoming third album.

I personally feel very blessed right now. Thank you again for your long time support. Peace and prosperity to you and your families.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

I just got a message on my IMRadio Profile from IMRadio founding partner Paddy Noonan telling me that I am a Featured Artist on IMRadio's Featured Bands Wall on their Home Page. IMRadio is located in Illinois, USA, and it broadcasts music of all genres produced by nearly 10.000 independent artists/bands from all over the world.

Note that each time you visit the IMRadio Home Page or my IMRadio Profile you are not necessarily listening to my music. If you want to listen to my music you have to pause/stop the IMRadio's music at the bottom of the Page and then click on the "Songs" tab at the top right corner of my IMRadio Profile.

I wish to thank Paddy for all the love and support. Click here to visit IMRadio or here to visit my IMRadio Profile. Thank you all.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

First of all, I would like to send my best wishes for 2010. I hope that this fresh new year brings good new experiences. My wonderful friends, let today be a new beginning for all of us. Let's help each other and work together to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the world and bring to the people of all nations and cultures a peaceful and happy life.

Secondly, I would like to take a look at what happened in 2009. With your love and support some amazing things happened last year. So, let's take a look at them one by one.

2009-01-07
Two articles about me and my debut album First Contact were published in today's edition of the Greek newspapers Eparhiakos Logos, and I Ekdosi tis Elassonas.

2009-01-31
A music competition ran between December 1, 2008 and January 31, 2009. 5 lucky winners won 5 First Contact albums signed by me.

2009-01-31
In January, people from 24 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-02-09
The Greek newspaper Imerisios Kirikas published an article about me and my First Contact album.

2009-02-21
Until 21 February, 50.000 people had become fans/friends of mine on MySpace.

2009-02-28
In February, people from 21 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-03-03
The founder of the IMRadio located in Illinois, USA, informed me that I am a Featured Artist on IMRadio.

2009-03-12
The First Contact album is featured on MAD.TV, the official website of the Music TV Channel MAD.

2009-03-31
In March, people from 23 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-04-08
Freies Radio B138 began to broadcast my music in Austria and on the internet.

2009-04-30
In April, people from 24 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-05-31
In May, people from 30 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-06-12
Kenneth Morton, editor of the Highwire Daze magazine that is based out of Los Angeles, California, reviewed my First Contact album.

2009-06-19
My MySpace Page got a new outfit.

2009-06-30
In June, people from 26 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-07-04
My Official Website SakisGouzonis.com got a new outfit.

2009-07-06
The Intermunicipal Radio of Pellas District that is located in Edessa, Greece, began to broadcast my music on the frequency of 103.8 FM in the District of Pellas and in Central Macedonia.

2009-07-31
In July, people from 24 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-08-23
Many MySpace members and fans/friends of mine began to promote my music in an unprecedented way. As a result, my music finds fans in almost every country on earth.

2009-08-31
In August, people from 47 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-09-01
Alexander Sackel and Martin Obert from B138 Radio played my music composition Give Me A Chance on their show called "Unerhoert".

2009-09-09
My second personal album New Earth was officially released internationally. The album is available at all Greek record stores and on the internet.

2009-09-10
My original music composition Elohim is a semi-finalist in the United Kingdom Songwriting Contest 2009, among 6.000 entries from all over the world.

2009-09-16
Mr. Apostolos Vallas, founder, owner, and editor of the newspaper I Ekdosi tis Elassonas, published an article about me and my second album New Earth.

2009-09-17
The Intermunicipal Radio of Pellas District that is located in Edessa, Greece, began to broadcast music tracks from my second album New Earth on the frequency of 103.8 FM in the District of Pellas and in Central Macedonia.

2009-09-18
Mr. A. Zisopoulos, editor of the Imerisios Kirikas newspaper, and Mrs. K. Zisopoulos, manager of the Imerisios Kirikas newspaper, published an article about me and the New Earth album.

2009-09-29
Mrs. D. Dimitrakopoulos, editor of the Eleftheria newspaper -the oldest and biggest newspaper in Larisa, Greece- published an article about me and my New Earth album.

2009-09-30
In September, people from 38 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-10-01
New monthly music competitions began on 1 October 2009 and they are still in progress. The members of my free E-Newsletter have the opportunity to win free albums signed by me the first day of each month.

2009-10-07
Mr. I. Stavridis, owner and editor of the Proinos Tipos newspaper -the oldest newspaper in Drama, Greece- published an article about me and my New Earth album.

2009-10-14
Mr. Menelaos Tzivis, owner, editor, and manager of the newspaper Epathiakos Logos, published an article about my award winning composition Elohim and my live performance in the 2nd Meeting of Music and Poetry 2009 in Volos, Greece.

2009-10-17
2 years on MySpace. 75.000 fans/friends from 192 countries/territories. Among them newspaper editors, magazine editors, dj’s, radio producers, artists, and listeners, who support me in every way they can.

2009-10-31
In October, people from 41 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-11-09
Poet MC Rydel, who is also one of the founding partners of the IMRadio that is based in Illinois, USA, reviewed my New Earth album.

2009-11-14
The Awards Ceremony for the winners of the 7th International Music Composition Contest 2009 took place in Greece. I won 1st Prize for my New Earth album and 2nd Prize for my original music composition Elohim.

2009-11-30
In November, people from 44 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-12-31
In December, people from 42 countries/territories visited my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com.

2009-12-31
Since 1 January, my Official Website SakisGouzonis.com has received an amazingly huge number of visits from a worldwide audience, and many thousands of downloads of my albums First Contact and New Earth have taken place. SakisGouzonis.com is now one of the most visited music websites all over the world.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Hello to all my wonderful fans and friends all over the world!

Tonight, I want to share with you some exciting news. The 2nd Meeting of Music and Poetry took place in Greece last night. Many composers, poets, lyricists, professors, and people of different nationalities attended the Meeting.

At the end of the Meeting the Awards Ceremony for the winners of the 7th International Music Composition Contest took place. I won 1st Prize for my "New Earth" album and 2nd Prize for my original music composition "Elohim"!

I would like to publicly thank the chairman of the International Art Society Mr. Yorgos Foudoulis, who is also the director of the Examination Center of the Trinity College and the Conservatory bearing his name. I also wish to thank Elias, the sound engineer, for his professional approach to the music event.

A special thanks goes out to everyone who attended the Meeting and the Awards Ceremony. I received very positive feedback from the audience before, during, and after my live performance. People of all ages congratulated me and told me that my composition "Elohim" is very powerful and comes from another world.

The New Earth album was officially released on 09/09/2009, and the award winning composition Elohim is included in the album.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Hello to all my fans and friends around the globe!

A huge thank you goes out to IMRadio founding partner and poet MC Rydel for reviewing my New Earth album. IMRadio is based in Mundelein, Illinois, in the United States of America, and it is a free internet radio station that introduces the new music of artists and bands to a worldwide audience.

Here's the review:

"Let Sakis Gouzonis transport you to another world with songs from his recently released “New Earth” album. One of the most popular artists on IMRadio, Sakis has given us “From the Sky”, “Eternal Peace”, and “Elohim”. These instrumentals can mesmerize and inspire any listener anywhere on the globe. Visit our Greece station today and let Sakis Gouzonis show you the world!".

You will also find the above review in the Press section of my website or by clicking here. I wish to thank IMRadio founding partner and musician Paddy Noonan for publishing the "New Earth" album review on IMRadio's current Featured Artist Showcase. My IMRadio Profile is here.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Hello to all my friends and fans worldwide!

Two years have passed since I first created my MySpace Page. A lot of beautiful and amazing things have happened during these two years.

I've met nearly 75.000 people who come from 192 countries and semiautonomous territories! This is a really huge number of people and countries. Fans, friends, newspaper editors, magazine editors, dj’s, radio producers, artists, we are all one huge family. Tens of thousands of e-mails, public comments and private messages have been exchanged during the last two years. Fans and friends have been listening to my music very often and told their friends to add me on MySpace and listen to my music too. Newspaper and magazine editors published articles about me and my music. Dj’s and artists remixed some of my tracks. Radio producers began to play my music on their radio stations all over the world.

I'd like to thank you all from the bottoms of my heart for helping me spread the word. A special thanks goes out to all of you who have bought my albums First Contact and New Earth. It really means a lot to me.

I thank each and everyone of you for all your love and support the past two years, and I look forward to many more years with you.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Hello everybody all over the world!

I would like to publicly thank Mr. Menelaos Tzivis, owner, editor, and manager of the newspaper Eparhiakos Logos, for publishing an article about my award winning composition Elohim and my upcoming live performance in the 2nd Meeting of Music and Poetry that will take place in Volos, Greece, on 14 November 2009.

Eparhiakos Logos is a Greek weekly newspaper located in Elassona, Greece. You can read the full article in the 82/146th edition of the Eparhiakos Logos newspaper or by clicking here. You can also read the above article in the Press section of my website.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

One more article about me and my new album New Earth was published in today's edition of the Greek newspaper Proinos Tipos.

I would like to publicly thank Mr. I. Stavridis, owner and editor of the Proinos Tipos newspaper, for publishing this article. It's a true honor to me. Proinos Tipos is a daily independent newspaper covering the city of Drama. It is also the oldest newspaper in the city of Drama.

You can read the full article in the Wednesday 7 October 2009 edition of the Proinos Tipos newspaper, or you can download the full article in .pdf format by clicking here. You can also read the above article in the Press section of my website.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

An article about me and my new album New Earth was published in today's edition of the Greek newspaper Eleftheria.

I would like to publicly thank Mrs. D. Dimitrakopoulos, editor of the Eleftheria newspaper, for this article. It's very important to me.

Eleftheria is the oldest and biggest newspaper in Larisa, Greece. You can read the full article in the 30.765th edition of the Eleftheria newspaper and online by clicking here or here -scroll down to the seventh page. You can also read the above article in the Press section of my website.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

An article about me and my second album New Earth was published in today's edition of the Greek newspaper Imerisios Kirikas.

I would like to thank Mr. A. Zisopoulos, editor of the Imerisios Kirikas newspaper, and Mrs. K. Zisopoulos, manager of the Imerisios Kirikas newspaper, for all their support. It's an honor to me.

Imerisios Kirikas is a daily newspaper located in Larisa, Greece. You can read the full article in the 19.129th edition of the Imerisios Kirikas newspaper and online by clicking here or here -scroll down to the Friday 18 September 2009 edition of the newspaper (page 21). You can also read the above article in the Press section of my website.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

A big thank you goes out to the radio producers of the Intermunicipal Radio of Pella District for broadcasting tracks of the New Earth album.

Intermunicipal Radio of Pella District is a Greek radio station, which is located in Edessa, Greece, and it broadcasts on the frequency of 103.8 FM in the District of Pella and in Central Macedonia.

Thanks a lot for your support.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

This time I would like to publicly thank Mr. Apostolos Vallas, founder, owner, and editor of the newspaper I Ekdosi tis Elassonas, for publishing an article about me and my second album New Earth.

I Ekdosi tis Elassonas is a Greek weekly newspaper located in Elassona, Greece. You can read the full article in the 516th edition of the newspaper and online by clicking here or here -scroll down to the seventh page. You can also read the above article in the Press section of my website.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Hello everyone!

I have some good news to share with you. My original music composition "Elohim" is a semi-finalist in the UK Songwriting Contest 2009.

The UK Songwriting Contest is an international songwriting event that was formed with The Brit Trust -of Brit Awards fame- to encourage and promote the art of songwriting. Many artists from all over the world take part in the UKSC every year. In Europe more songwriters enter the UKSC than the Eurovision Song Contest! This year almost 6.000 entries were submitted to the UKSC.

The music composition Elohim is included in my New Earth album that was originally released on 09/09/2009.

A big thank you to the judges of the contest.

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Hello my amazing fans and friends all over the world!

As you may already know, my second personal album "New Earth" was officially released earlier this day. If you haven't bought the album yet, you can listen to music samples from the album by clicking here.

The "New Earth" album is available worldwide. In Greece, the album is available at all Greek record stores. If the album is temporarily out of stock, ask for it and they will bring it to you. For more information on the album and how you can buy it please click here.

I am very excited and I can't wait to read and listen to your reactions! From the bottoms of my heart a huge thank you to everyone who helped me release my second personal album "New Earth"!

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

I would like to thank B138 Radio for playing my music on their show called "Unerhoert"!

You can stream or download the full show by clicking here. Just click on the Stream or the Download button on your right. If you click on the Stream button, the stream should start immediately. If you want to download the full show, click on the Download button. Then, another site will appear. Click on the new Download button and ignore the form. The download should start immediately. A big thank you goes out to Alexander Sackel and Martin Obert from B138 Radio.

I am sure there are many other International and Greek radio stations that broadcast my music. As soon as they send me an e-mail, I will let you know!

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Hello my wonderful fans and friends all over the world!

Lately, I've noticed that many of you have added some of my music samples to your MySpace pages! Some of you have also added me to your top friends list! I really appreciate that. Thank you from the bottoms of my heart for helping me spread the word about my music on MySpace.

It's because of the support of people like you that I've been able to continue developing this website and giving more music to people worldwide. As a thanks, some music competitions with free albums are on the way. You can read more by clicking here.

I love you!

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

I just wanted to give you a quick update on what is happening in my music land!

As you might know, I have been busy writing new material for my next album. I have just put the finishing touches to all tracks. The album title is "New Earth". It features ten new tracks of superb electronic instrumental music.

The album will be officially released on 9 September 2009 by Logos Music, the same label that released my previous album. I am very happy with the result and I am looking forward to hearing what you think.

In the meantime, I will be back in gig mode in mid September when I will be showcasing the new music compositions live.

Take good care of yourselves and stay tuned for further updates!

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis

Posted by Sakis Gouzonis