Session Guitarist

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: No,not yet,but with a little search,i think i will find some.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Depending on what you want to do,the budget you have and the sound you want to produce.I love both,so i can't really choose.Technology has advanced so much,that you can have similar results,with something vintage or analog.Of course,if you have the analog,even better.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: Every song is unique,so i 'promise' to my clients,that it will be treated as my own.The goal always has been,for me,to make myself happy with the result.If i'm not happy,then the client won't be happy either.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I believe it's the creation.Every time you play,record,perform,you create something unique.The way music communicates is a worldwide language,so every single one,can express what he has on his mind.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Customers that know my background,ask mostly about when i'll finish the song.Someone that doesn't know me,usually asks,what kind of gear do i have,do i play acoustic guitars also,more technical stuff in general.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: I think that most people think i am only a rock guitarist.And that's true.But i"m not only that.I listen to different kinds of music,and then put whatever i like,in my sound.I also love the acoustic sound and believe is more difficult than the electric,so that gives me an extra boost,to explore and find ways to sound better and play better on the acoustic guitar.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: If they don't have any suggestions about the song,i try to find out,what sound they looking for.Similarities with known bands or artists in general.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Always search for someone that has the personality and the character,besides the technical characteristics.It's a form of art,music,so it should be included in a customers search.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: My 6 string Taylor guitar,my fender stratocaster,my twin reverb amp,a cable and pickups..I would also need electricity,but lets say,that the island can provide..

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: Back in 2005,i worked with,Helena Paparizou,the Greek singer,that won the eurovision.After touring around the world,we ended up,in Sweden.There,we had the opportunity and the honour,to be the support band of Anastasia,the world known singer from U.S.A It goes without saying,it was an amazing experience.Talk with her band,learning about the differences and the benefits of touring and working with a singer of this magnitude.The whole production that made what the fans saw,was mind blowing.My role in the band was the lead guitarist,it always been that regardless the bands i played during my career.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: At the moment,i work on my solo album.It's a guitar album.I have finished 6 songs and i'm in the process of finishing another 3 songs,two of them are in need of a singer,so hopefully i'll find someone in here..If someone would want to put a label genre of the album,it would be rock.But it has many elements,from different styles of music,like myself.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I started working at the age of 16.So i've been in the music industry for more than 20 years.Throughout my career,i worked with all the Greek famous singers,either by performing live or recording songs or a full album in studio.Feeling very lucky and blessed to be able to be in a profession that was my hobby and my way of expression.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Well i guess my style is around the rock music.Being a guitarist,it's inevitable,not to hear this kind of music.Nevertheless,living in Greece,gave me the opportunity,to listen and get to know to other genres,more eastern oriented.The combination of rock,Greek folk,eastern sounds,pop music and my love for acoustic guitars made my style and my sound.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Again,it's a long list.If i had to choose one,it would be Justin Timberlake.The variety of his songwriting,always based in pop obviously,it's something that inspires me and i thing i would be a great addition to his band

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Well,the thing,that always helped me,is experimenting.Not doing the things the way others doing it.And if you do,do it in a way,that sounds like you.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Here in Greece,i would say pop-rock.Greek folk music,is a hybrid kind of music,so it has elements of different genres,combined with folk.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest skill would be,my sound.Meaning,at least in my country,if someone hears something i'm playing,he would know it's me.Apart from that,i love the metronome,so my timing,is spot on.Also the variety of sounds i can produce,with my gear.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Being in the industry of music for about 20 years,it gave me,and it still does,enough experience,to understand the needs of a song.However,its not the proffesionalism that always help in a recording process.It's the personality behind that.So,i believe,that i bring in a song,a character and an identity,which are the things,that separate a song,from just being another song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually start,by listening to the song.Having always in mind,what the customer wants,i try to find more suggestions for the song,soundwise or with a specific approachment with a guitar.First i record the acoustic guitars,its the foundation and the base of a song that needs guitars.Then i record the electric guitars,depending on the needs of the project.Last, i record any melodies or solos,that the song needs.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: -Taylor 6 string and 12 string acoustic guitar -Musicman 6 string and 7 string electric guitar -Fender stratocaster 1983 -Telecaster -Gibson Zak Wylde signature -Harley Benton 8 string guitar -Fernandez fretless guitar -Classical guitar -UAD apollo twin,audio interface -Neural dsp nolly-archetype -Axe fx 2 -Diezel VH4 head -Diezel 4x12 cabin -Genelec monitors

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: That's a very long list..If i had to choose the top three of my list it would be-David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)-Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and John Petrucci (Dream Theater) Also musicians that play another instument like Marco Minnemann (Drums) Jaco Pastorius (Bass) Michel Camilo (Piano) Jordan Rudess (Piano) Sting (Song-writing,singing) Yamandu Costa (Guitar) Vincent Peirani (Accordion)

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Usually is for a full song.That includes at least 2 acoustic guitars and sometimes a 12 string guitar.Also 4 at least electric guitars.