Like alternative rock? Many do, perhaps in yearning for a return to great musicianship and melody. Here is an artist that ably serves the sentiment. Originating from Heraklion, Crete, InFraReD has quickly risen on the strength of his new award-winning single ‘4U’. Recently, the critics had this to say about his work: ‘Infrared delivers an alternative rock track with forthright guitar work and exceptionally strong vocals. No tricks here, just good honest music!’ With his new single steadily climbing the charts, InFraReD seems destined for the global limelight. Reporter Lauren Thompson recently caught up with the talented artist to learn more about what inspires him to create his unique brand of alternative rock music and what we can expect from InFraReD in the near future.
LAUREN: As an artist on the rise, what is one thing you are most excited about and one thing you are most afraid of happening in your career?
INFRARED: The biggest moment in my career up to now is the prize I won for my song 'I Like U'. It was a shocking moment when I received the email from The Akademia Awards and called to be at the ceremony in Los Angeles and walk the red carpet. It is the first time I cried when I received the award and was photographed on the red carpet along with the members of the Akademia. Fortunately I wore black glasses and hid the tears!! This is so far the most important moment in my career.
Not something I fear for my career, rather I want to be healthy and continue to have inspiration.
LAUREN: Your song '4 U' is receiving a positive listener response on radio. What was your initial reaction when you first heard your song playing on radio?
INFRARED: When I first heard my song on the radio I felt satisfaction because I saw the reward for my efforts to write good songs. I think this rock ballad will become a great success! Already it has a response on many radio stations all over the world.
LAUREN: What was the inspiration behind your debut radio single?
INFRARED: I wrote the song '4U' for a woman. When I saw her for the first time, my heart started to beat fast. I said to myself, 'I want a woman like her.' The beauty of her eyes charmed me, her smile, the beauty of the soul touched the chord of my inspiration. This lovely creature suddenly came into my life. She brought me luck and tranquility to my soul. I wrote the lyrics after the first night we went out. I am grateful that she came into my life. Thank you baby!
LAUREN: It is often said that great art arises from difficult experience. Is there something in your life experience thus far that you would describe as the ‘catalyst’ or ‘fuel’ for your desire to create music?
INFRARED: My desire to write music began in my teenage years.
Having been born on the island of Crete, in Greece, I grew up in an artistic family. When I bought my first electric guitar I started writing songs. It was easier for me to write my own songs than playing known covers. The emotion is the fuel for writing songs. The stimulus can be a picture of a person that makes me express my feelings. I have written songs for an abandoned child, for a woman, for the Olympic Games, etc.
LAUREN: How would you characterize yourself as an artist/musician? (Ex. Down-to-earth, serious, fun-loving, complicated…)
INFRARED: I am a dreamer artist. I want to send a positive message and postive thoughts with my songs, whether erotic or social. I want the lyrics of my songs to be infected with the virus of love, freedom and energy in their search for listeners.
LAUREN: What has your experience been like working with the other people on your team?
INFRARED: My band is like a family. We spend a lot of time together exchanging ideas for the creation of songs in rehearsals and live performances. The recordings are effective only when a band is like a family. In every family there are different opinions and dissent, so it is with my collaborators, but at the end of it all we have successful outcome.
LAUREN: Did you come from a musical background? Are there other musicians in your family?
INFRARED: I was born into an artistic family, my father being a Cretan traditional lute player and my brother a bouzouki player and singer in folk and rembetika genres. My father took my brother to the Cretan feasts before he entered primary school. I think my DNA is full of musical notes and artistic concerns. I could not therefore avoid my involvement with music. It's like a virus that is still within me and guides me. So I follow my own muse.
LAUREN: What do you find most rewarding about being an artist? What do you find most challenging?
INFRARED: The acceptance by fans. The more difficult part nowadays is to become known throughout the world . There are thousands of great musicians with great songs. We have to be a little lucky and have a good manager or team to support us at every step.
LAUREN: Who are your role models in music?
INFRARED: Having listened to a lot of different musical sounds from childhood, I think that rock music is the favorite for me. And listening to everything from hard metal to punk rock, I had to choose alternative rock.
The Grunge music scene of Seattle with top band Nirvana, has marked me. It was a shock when I saw them for the first time on TV in 'Smells Like A Teen Spirit'. I also have been influenced by the funk rock of Red Hot Chili Peppers and by System Of A Down. The songs I write are a mix of all these with my own 'recipe'.
LAUREN: Describe your best or most memorable performance.
INFRARED: An unforgettable live performance was a concert on the Athens music scene. It involved the entrance of the Economic Crime Police on the scene just before the concert started, closing the doors and taking control from the business owner. For the friends and customers who were there early, we played a ten song set after the police left and we did it free of charge.
LAUREN: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists out there who are unsure and need guidance?
INFRARED: Young artists should continue dreaming. There will be many difficulties on their musical way but they must continue to work hard. Some day dreams come true, suffice to believe this and not abandon the dreams ever.
LAUREN: What's next for you as an artist? Is there a new single in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it?
INFRARED: In March 2016 I released the album 'California Lover' with my band Infrared. It contains eight songs and was released Worldwide onn iTunes, Amazon, Apple Music etc. The award winning Akademia song 'I Like U' 'is included. The other songs are: 4U, California Lover, Nevermind, The Hippie, Way Out, Show Me A Trace & 4U (acoustic).
This December we will start touring worldwide.
LAUREN: That all sounds quite exciting! Best of luck with your musical creations and I look forward to hearing what comes next.
https: //soundcloud.com/infraredrockband
