EMQ’s With Stelios Ventas
EMQ’s With Stelios Ventas
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Greek Classic Rock Solo Artist, Stelios Ventas. Huge thanks to him for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hello! I’m Stelios Ventas and I‘ve just released my album “Badass”. A classic rock album with ten tracks. After playing in various rock bands and gigging around Athens, Greece, I decided to write and release my own music as a solo artist. My first attempt took place in 2016 with my debut “Rock ‘n’ Love”. In 2018, a five track EP with the title “Faded Flower”, came out and before a while I managed to release my last project!
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
I ‘m from Greece and I live in Athens. There are a lot of great Greek bands, especially in Stoner Rock like Planet of Zeus and 1000mods and in Heavy Metal like Firewind and Rotting Christ. There are actually a lot of considerable bands and musicians around here.
Who have been your greatest influences?
The British classic Rock and Heavy Metal bands like Deep purple, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Saxon and the American Hard Rock bands from Guns ‘N’ Roses to Metallica. I also like some other European bands and artists, , Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Scorpions to name a few, and of course AC/DC and Rose Tattoo from Australia and many more.
What first got you into music?
I was trying to imitate my favourite guitar heroes. So, around 1990, I bought an electric guitar and soon I was a member of a Rock-Metal band in the style of Black Sabbath. Later I participated as a guitar player and sometimes as a singer in a lot of different bands of many music genres.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
I would like to jam some songs with Michael Schenker because he seems to be a very cool guy and a great guitarist and play some Rainbow songs with Ritchie Blackmore! Generally, I‘m open to collaborations.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
The bigger the festival, the better for me. I‘d love to perform my music in front of a very big audience. My dream is to play at Wacken Open Air Festival.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
If I tell you, my wife is gonna kill me! Ha ha… I really enjoy the communication with fans before and after a show.
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
To support their favourite artist! What else?
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
Jimmy Hendrix
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
I ‘m enjoying everything about music. I sometimes get fed up of practicing.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
To make people support their favourite bands and artist by buying their music. The production of music is an expensive sport. Many talented artists don’t product new music for financial reasons.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Pink Floyd, “The Wall”.
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
All of these are cool but I‘m more fond of the analogue sound. You cannot listen to a good production from a tablet or a cell phone. You need a hi-fi and a good pair of speakers.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Every gig is a different experience, but I remember one with a very crowded, friendly audience and me without anxiousness. Before the break I left my guitar at the drummer’s and I played the drums for a couple of songs.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
I’m a firefighter as well and I love this job!
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Why only five? I would prefer a party with all of my friends and their company with rock music and alcohol.
What’s next for the band?
Live gigs, of course!
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
https://www.facebook.com/steliosventasmusic/
https://www.instagram.com/steliosventas/?hl=el
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH3MaZvdusWoieI5UhnWJRA
https://steliosventas.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5iW6nHroAeUBXHjKkAELRp
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/stelios-ventas/1180862649
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
I don’t know, I ‘m not a chef; but I would like to try one.
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Look after yourselves and listen to the music!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.