Every Monday we will be bringing you interviews with unsigned UK or Ireland artists for Independent Music Monday. Recently we caught up with unsigned London based singer Echo Wants Her Voice Back to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I’m originally from Cyprus – Greek Cypriot (Nicosia, the south) – and based in London. I grew up in Kenya, Russia and Cyprus. I used to love singing as a child, and started writing poems/lyrics at quite a young age. I was in bands since the age of 15 whilst at school, performing covers. Aged 19, I won my first songwriting award in Cyprus on a national TV Talent programme. From then on, I began to write songs more.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
When I was growing up I listened to so many different artists…. I was influenced by Belinda Carlisle, Phil Collins, Sting, Simon & Garfunkel, Pink Floyd… and a lot of Greek artists I admired, including George Dalaras, Eleutheria Arvanitaki, Nama -band (a variety of genres from folk to pop/jazz/new age music and alternative rock).
Now I would say I’m influenced a lot by artists like Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Bjork, Damien Rice, Leonard Cohen, Feist and Billie Eilish to name but a few, really inspire me.
How would you describe your sound?
I would say it’s folk, though not quite folk – perhaps alternative folk, with elements of blues and pop. They call me “Folk Noir.” I love the dramatic implications of that!
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My latest release is called “Wife” and it’s actually a song I co-wrote with guitarist, songwriter Labrini Grigoriadou (now an established guitarist in Greece playing for “Aggelakas” singer/songwriter/poet) and recorded back in 2010, but never released it.
The influence behind it, was a way to talk about love in an uplifting acoustic, pop tune with folk undertones. The song is a tongue-in-cheek story about about love and its fluidity. The ups and downs. What matters. Recognition. The ones who stay. Companionship. Cuddles. Contentment. Glee. It also somewhat dismantles gender stereotypes lyrically, in its outro, by blurring the lines of who becomes the wife, and what that implies.
What’s your local music scene like?
Prior to the pandemic, I performed a lot in East and North London, especially in Camden. I also went quite a few gigs in those areas, even though I’m based South East. I’ve really missed the vibrant London music scene – one of the main reasons I moved here from Cyprus many years ago.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
I’m happy to announce I have a show at Pizza Express – Holborn on the 25th of August, hosted by Success Express Music. Tickets are available on my website.
I’m also planning to release an EP in 2021. I need to complete the recording of one more song and I’ll start prepping that release.
Finally, I’d love to start doing more shows and plan an album recording. I’ll need to find a way to finance that.
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
Lots of talented artists actually! Previously I collaborated with The Spectre, Paris based producer and hip hop artist, and our song Mermaids was selected for airplay on BBC Introducing.
I’m hoping to collaborate with Si Connelly very soon. Art Block Music is another artist I admire. There are also my band members, who are wonderful musicians I hope to collaborate with: Adam Green, Maddy Hamilton, Danilo Rodriguez, MaW and Kat Newlon (moving back to London from LA). There’s quite a few!
Any funny stories surrounding your live performances?
Oh my. Lots. But the one I remember the most is our last performance at The Camden Chapel, hosted by Talentbanq, on the 13th of February 2020, before the first UK lockdown. Our guitarist’s partner was in labour on the day, and it seemed as though he wouldn’t make the show, which was sold out by the way. I remember trying to calm the rising panic with my cellist at the time, Maddy, who was spectacular in handling the crisis. Adam saved the day though. He flew to the venue in a taxi, straight after the birth of his baby boy (hero), and joined us just in time. I couldn’t believe it. And it was one of my most rewarding shows. The audience was so lovely and the host was wonderful, Ray Jones, along with the intimate space of the venue – ace memory…. and the last show for a long time after that.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
I’m an introvert often mistaken as an extrovert. I’m an “extroverted introvert.” Unless there’s an invitation to a live show, or I’m gigging, or heading to the cinema (solo is fine), I prefer nothing more than to wonder into nature, with a friend, my partner, or alone, or to just stay home and read, write. The bustle of the city drains me quickly. The pandemic made me realise this even more.
You can find out more about Echo Wants Her Voice Back on her website or via Apple Music, Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, TikTok, Twitter or YouTube.
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