Evangelia – Fotiá

By starrymag | March 29, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) My music is a fusion of modern pop music with Greek traditional sounds, language and culture. People might classify it as Pop, but to me, it’s a blend of the two worlds just like me. I am proud to be American and I am also very proud to have roots in Greece.  My music and my visuals reflect that experience and I look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) This question is always difficult for me to answer because I grew up listening to such a wide range of music from The Beatles to Ella Fitzgerald to NSync to Greek composers like Hajiakis to folk music from my island of Crete.  All of that ultimately informs the music I create, where I combine what I know and love about pop music with what I love about traditional Greek music.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Fotiá.”

 

A) At its core, “Fotiá” (Greek for fire) is about letting go and following your passion – whether it’s romantic love or doing what you love. For me it’s both.  First, it is my story with my creative partner and love of my life, Stolar, whom I fought falling in love with until I finally gave in to everything I was feeling.  Second, the song is about truly following my passion to be an artist.  We wrote the song the day after signing my record deal–it was a milestone for me, because a little over a year before that I was still a full-time teacher, only dreaming of where I am now.

Both of these experiences were filled with intense tension and release. The song really captures that feeling, from the contrast of intense drums with quiet vocals to waiting halfway through the song to finally reveal the lyric “I’m gonna lose control.” The literal translation of “Fotiá” is fire, the way I interpret it in this song is as passion. I’ll never be the same as I was before I wrote this song, it’s a part of me now.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think everyone, at some point or another, feels drawn to something that they can’t control and takes a risk.  I also think fans connect to my culture, even if they are not Greek. I think they appreciate that I am honoring my roots in my music.

 

Q) Jason Lester directed the video, so how does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video is all about expressing the tension and release of the emotions in the song.  The lyrics describe feeling so much passion but not wanting to show it, until you ultimately lose control and let feelings take over.  Jason and the set designer, Kelly Fondry, (as well as the whole crew) did an amazing job capturing that contrast in the moods of the different sets and lighting, as well as my mood as the performer. Fun fact: the whole thing was shot on film, which added an extra layer of drama to the video. I also dance the Greek “zeimbekiko” in it, which is a passionate dance in which the dancer gets lost in the movement, playing to the theme of giving into your emotions.

 

Q) The live video was filmed at The Belasco. What made that such an ideal place for filming?

 

A) The Belasco was absolutely beautiful! We felt it was important for the location to be in a venue that would normally host live performances with an audience, so that the viewer could almost feel like they were there.  I wanted to have the feeling of performing in a theater, as well, since it had been so long.  I just imagined the audience there while I was singing. It made me really look forward to when I’ll be able to perform in front of a live audience.

 

Q) Stolar was co-writer and co-producer on the track. What is your typical song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) We usually start writing with a guitar or a piano and improvise melodies and lyrics that we then work into a song.  But sometimes we have a track first that we write to.  There’s no specific formula, it all depends on the situation.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) While I’m not a part of the technical side of production, I am highly involved throughout the process and give my feedback on every draft.  I make sure the music truly feels authentic to me and my culture.  But it really is a strong collaborative effort between me and Stolar.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) As of now, I’m not sure what the format will be exactly, but what I can definitely promise is a lot more music this year from me.  I am so excited to share what I’ve been working on.

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage?

 

A) I miss that magical energy that happens when I truly connect with an audience.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song?

 

A) I would love to collaborate with a Latin artist, but I’ll let the universe decide who it’s going to end up being.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I am listening to the Ariana Grande album on repeat.  Everything she puts out is a masterpiece.  Love all the harmonies and fun melodies.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) 2020 changed everything and made social media more important than ever.

I see social media as a way to share my story and connect with people all over the world.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) I’d like to say thank you, thank you, thank you.  I truly couldn’t do it without you, and it means the world to me to be able to share my art with you and have you enjoy it.