Vassilikos

Vassilikos is probably the most talented Greek artist of his generation. In a country where traditionally the popular music scene is dominated by the use of Greek lyrics, Vassilikos, with influences from the European music scene, successfully stood out from the early 90s until now. He manages to set new standards and to inspire newer artists. The Greek indie scene which uses English lyrics has started to go through a remarkable phase these days in Greece, with more and more new bands following the tracks of Vassilikos and his band, Raining Pleasure. New bands can hope now for success, just like the one Raining Pleasure had, with their own terms, lyrics and choices. Vassilikos has released 6 albums with his band Raining Pleasure, of which he was the composer, singer, bassist/guitarist and lyricist. He already has some of the biggest hits over the last 20 years to present in Greece, with songs like “Capricorn”, “Fake”, “Love Me, Love Me, Love Me” that dominated the Greek radio. 2 out of their 3 albums in a major label (EMI at the time) achieved Gold sales, while all these years Vassilikos has written numerous songs that have marked and influenced a whole generation of music lovers in Greece, as well as newer musicians. The album “Reflections” was considered by many critics a “reading” of the work of the great composer Manos Hadjidakis, an album the composer himself 'would have loved and approved of, if he were still alive'. The album was certified Gold and exceeded 35.000 sales, an extremely high number for the Greek market. This album, along with Vassilikos’ determination to lead the band into new ways of expression, by also combining the theatrical element in their shows, like in their show “Love and Death” in 2006, made Raining Pleasure and Vassilikos known and loved by an even wider audience. With his band, they have shared the stage with great names such as Pixies, The Cure, Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire and many many more. Apart from his successful course with Raining Pleasure, and after giving a series of successful performances and playing festivals in various European countries (one of which Germany, where he is based for 4 years now) Vassilikos has collaborated with several important musicians. One of his successful performances was his participation on the Dutch singer Traincha’s album (Trijnte Oosterhuis), both live and in her album “The look of love”, a tribute to Burt Bacharach. Furthermore, he has worked with Elly Paspala, one of the most important Greek singers, while this year he has been preparing a new album with one of the most acclaimed Greek composers, Lena Platonos. The album will include new songs, that will be performed by Vassilikos and the lyrics of which will be written in English by him as well. He performed with Lena Platonos at the Herodum Atticum Theater of Athens, where he also sang with Eleftheria Arvanitaki, one of the most successful Greek singers. In 2009, Vassilikos, experienced and more mature than ever, signed to Sony Music Greece, and is now in the beginning of a new course, which is expected to give out more samples of his talent to the wider audience. He has never stopped evolving during his entire course so far, and he keeps widening his influences and musical taste, the stimulants with which he is inspired. This way, he has managed to maintain his audience from the beginning of his career, the same audience who has been following him and growing with him, as well as to attract more and more fans of his work along the way. His new album, the first one as a solo artist, is a compilation of several great songs of his choice from the 30s to the 60s. This compilation is not an ordinary collection of cover songs. The Greek songwriter, apart from his unique voice, adds his own distinctive and fresh look to pieces that have become classics over time, and makes them sound as if they were written today. In this album, called “Vintage (Songs I Wish I’d Written Vol.1)”, Vassilikos’ duties, apart from singing, include, arranging, performing all musical instruments, and producing together with the UK producer Clive Martin, who has worked with universally acclaimed bands and artists like Queen, Peter Gabriel, Terrorvision, Reef, Puressence, Stereophonics, Les Négresses Vertes, and many more. Clive Martin states his enthusiasm about working with Vassilikos and Raining Pleasure, while their cooperation continues still, with a brand new song written by Vassilikos (in Greek this time) for Dimitra Galani, which has been released in the distinguished singer’s new album. The manner in which he transforms songs like ‘You are my destiny’ by Paul Anka, and his fresh approach towards classics like “All Tomorrow’s Parties” by the Velvet Underground, show beyond doubt that Vassilikos likes to challenge and is an artist who fully trusts his own potential. Only a few months after the release of ‘Vintage’, the album is Gold and still counting!