Official page of musical artist NIKO » Interviews

Interview by: SheUnlimited.com

admin — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 04:14:06 +0000

SheUnlimited.com / Daily Confection recently had the chance to talk with Niko:

Q. Hi Niko. It is an honor to speak with you. Tell us a little about the beginning, when the soul of Niko started to take flight.

It was when I was 18. I fell madly in love, my first girlfriend. Suddenly, the lover in me was awakened and unleashed! I began discovering many things in myself such as my gift for writing, photography, a deeper part of my musical gift, an artistic side I had never expressed, a romantic side… I wrote poetry, beautiful (mostly melancholic) love songs, starting thinking for myself and moving toward the path of being true to who I was.

At the age of 22, while alone at my apartment one evening, I had a spiritual experience that changed me forever. I realized my destiny was to touch the world! And that it would occur through my artistic expressions. From that moment, I have never been the same.

I am driven, determined and relentless in the pursuit of my dream. I have been on a search for truth and on a journey of self discovery that has taken me around the world. I am a warrior on a mission with every intention of fulfilling my purpose for being here – to bring a message of hope and love to mankind. At all costs. And the fact that I am having this interview is proof that it is coming to pass. Not nearly as soon as I might have thought, but it is happening. Blood sweat and tears, concurred fears, the changing of my site, countless sleepless nights. I do stand before you now, I take a humble bow, I give my all in hopes to see, that we will all rise up and simply BE!

Q. How do you think your music can change the world?

Very simply, through its sprit and message. My music speaks for itself. It is spreading across the world at an exponential rate not because I am personally spreading it, it is alive. I am both honored and humbled by this. But it is EXACTLY what I saw would happen that evening in my apartment. Here are two invaluable things I learned from one of my greatest mentors: "Say what you see and you will see what you have said." "You will be what you see."

Q. The heartfelt, passionate strains of your songs are inspiring and soothing; more like poetry. What comes first, the words or the melody?

My lyrics are often inspired by the sound of a musical progression, I’ll do something on the piano or guitar and within myself I will hear words or a certain phrase. This is the most common way that I write all of my songs.

Now this leads me to share with you what it is that actually inspires me to play a progression in the first place…I would summarize this answer by saying "Life!" It might be the laughter of a child, a friend in need, pleasant or painful memories, dreams, happiness, frustrations. Nature. I write little songs for our animals here at "Freetown" (the property where most of the team lives). Traveling and being in other places far away stirs things up in me – the sights, the smells, the sounds of another culture and land. Sound inspires me. I will hear something like a car engine cranking up or the horn of a train or the wind blowing through the trees and it will actually inspire a melody or lyric or chord progression in me. Also, just sitting down at my piano inspires me. Most every time I sit to play, something fresh and new comes out. Sometimes it’s a song while other times it’s an idea or a melody that later becomes a song. And the hope of my music touching the world, that inspires me deeply. It is important that we always have hope in our hearts for through hope we find inspiration to fulfill our dreams. The content of my lyrics tend to focus on positive things, I like knowing that my songs are helping people and helping to bring light into this world. If I can do this, then when I breathe my last breath I will have peace in knowing I fulfilled my purpose on this earth.

Q. I would include your music in a meditation routine; would that surprise you?

Not at all. As a matter of fact, some of the songs on the Journey Within album were used on a CD that accompanied a book on meditation written by a guy in Maui. Many people write to tell me that my music is peaceful and relaxing. I am glad my music brings a calm energy to a not so calm world. Knowing that people are in their cars and in living rooms unwinding to “Niko” brings a big smile to my face! : )

Q. Living in Nashville, the country music capital of the world, how have you kept from being influenced by the genre?

Well, I think it’s all in there, inside of me. And it comes shining through in strange ways. For example, in the song "Joy!" (which no one would say had an inkling of a country sound), there is a thick "country" sounding vocal, during the chorus of the second part of the song. You cannot hear it so much when it’s mixed in with everything else, but I put it in there because I felt inspired to do so and I loved the way it made the chorus sound. If I was to take it out and you listened to the song, you would suddenly feel like something was missing. Whether or not you knew what that something was is a different story.

I grew up in Texas, predominantly on country music – Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Marty Robins… So, it’s in my blood and culture. It shines through a little on "Together Forever Whenever". I think that in time to come, you will hear more "country" sounds in my music. But like with all my compositions, I compose by inspiration, so if tomorrow I feel "country" comin’ on, then I promise you will get a country Niko song! Maybe I’ll do a duet with Gretchen Wilson, she lives nearby.

Q. You are very in tune with your Greek heritage. Tell us a little about your upbringing.

I was born in Houston Texas, I came out with cowboy boots on and a rope in my hands. Just kidding! Actually, the typical “Texan” stereotype is not so accurate. Not everyone has boots and a cowboy hat. But I will say this, I think there are more pickup trucks in Texas than there are in the whole world combined!!! Texans love their trucks!

I am very in touch with my Greek roots. My father, Kimon, was born and raised on the island of Samos in Greece. My mother, Faye, is from Texas. An interesting match wouldn’t you say? *laughing* It was a strange mix of culture at times while growing up but I wouldn’t trade anything for it! My dad was always eating his yogurt with honey (such a Greek thing to do!) and my mom was always frying chicken and baking things (such a Texan thing to do!). And I was right in the middle of it all just soaking it up like a sponge. It added much richness to my life.

I was raised with a great spiritual awareness, with far more emphasis on spiritual things than earthly things. Faith hope and love were at the foundation of my upbringing and are the solid ground I stand on today.

Q. I know your management company is working hard to take the next step in getting you worldwide recognition. Are there any plans close to fruition? Tours, record deals, etc?

Yes. Yes. And yes. Boy oh boy am I happy to give that answer, finally! Ummm, we are talking every day about touring and we plan to tour in 2008, all of where we are not sure just yet but Asia is definitely a hot topic. Europe too! As far as a record deal goes…there are few options in the air… with all the changes happening in today’s world through the internet, everything has changed! And especially for independent artists! The power is finally back in our hands and in the hands of the people! That opens up a whole new world of possibilities for me and my music and its global distribution. Already, through the internet alone and no radio promotions, I have listeners in over 100 countries! That was unheard of just a few years ago. But it is happening and it is happening fast! Truly an exciting time to be alive!

Q. Your song, “Joy” was used in a local Nashville commercial and garnered an outstanding reply. You’ve stated a plan to take it on a national level? How will this happen, since the commercial was for a local merchant?

It was filmed with a national audience in mind. The only thing "local" about it is the content of the graphics, which can easily be changed for each dental office that wishes to license the commercial. We are still putting together the paperwork and such but there has been interest expressed from several states and we are anticipating it to go national next year.

Q. OK, Niko, I’m sure everyone would like to know: What’s the secret to inner love and worldwide peace?

Becoming childlike again.

Not childISH, but childLIKE – which is all about humility, forgiveness, not judging people (by their gender, skin color or cultural differences), being creative, playful, adventurous and imaginative! Letting go of sarcasm, deception and all the things we hide behind to confuse the truth. As small children, we did not "hate" people, we did not feel worry.

I watch small children and I’m just amazed, I ask myself "When do we lose THAT! And WHY!? For what and for who?!?" Of course, everyone has a different story – some were abused, some where fatherless and the list goes on. The good thing is that we can get it back! We can return to incense and find inner love and peace.

Just today someone wrote to tell me how much the lyrics of my song "My Son" touched them, "Grasp what is truth with all your might, become YOU, again!"

Thank you for this interview! Great questions! ~ Niko

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Direct link to this interview…
http://www.sheunlimited.com/2007/10/01/interview-with-niko-ulysses-papasidaris

She Unlimited (also known as Daily Confection) has 300,000 podcast subscribers and 2.7 million visitors each month. Be sure to check out their page! We thank them for their support!!! www.sheunlimited.com

Interview by: Veilgr.com

admin — Fri, 18 May 2007 00:53:59 +0000

Hey everyone, there’s lots of wonderful things going on here at "Niko" headquarters! *smile* Today’s morsel of bloggy goodness is an online interview with Behind The Veil which just posted today (www.veilgr.com). Also, I wanted to let you know and two Desktop Wallpaper images that are now available at www.nikoonline.com/media/wallpapers

Interview with Niko by Christine Parastatidou of Behind The Veil in Greece. http://www.veilgr.com

NIKO Well, we usually present you interviews with heavy metal bands, however here we have an alternative proposal for you that answers to the name Niko. This band’s reason for existence is to create and to transubstantiate feelings, images and experiences into notes. If you like melodic rock sounds, then I think you will find in this band what you were looking for!

1. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU WERE ASKED TO COMMENT ON YOUR SONGS AND ADVERTISE THEM IN A FEW WORDS?

Most of my songs are born out of my life’s experiences; because of this, my songs are heartfelt and sung with passion and conviction. My dream is to bring a message of hope and love to the world through my art of music thus my songs tend to focus on encouraging people, giving them hope for a brighter day. My style varies from song to song and that’s why I have resolved to simply call it “World Soup”.

2. YOU’VE GOT A COMPLETE WORK AND IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY 3 MORE WHICH ARE STILL UNFINISHED. WHICH ARE THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES AMONGST THEM?

Yes, I have a completed album titled “Love” (a CD / DVD set). I would describe it as a modern day love story told in a very creative way with interesting twists in the story line. It is less produced and has a charming rawness to it that leaves most listeners desiring more. In some songs I am in tears while in others I am laughing. As for the other albums I am working on, they are "Voice", "Heart Of A Warrior" and "Journey Within". "Voice" will be the first official release of these three. It is a very produced album, many of the songs are filled with lush vocalscapes, something I did not do in my "Love" project. The themes of "Voice" revolve around are friendship, faith, hope, love. It is a very uplifting album! "Heart Of A Warrior" is much darker, it has a strong defiance in its sound and message. "Journey Within" is very introspective, this album will be calm and parts of it will be perfect for meditating.

3. HOW COME YOU’VE GOT SO MANY UNFINISHED WORKS? I MEAN HOW COME YOU WORK ON MORE THAN ONE ALBUMS AT THE SAME TIME? AREN’T YOU “AFRAID” YOU MIGHT START REPEATING YOURSELF?

I follow my heart. I admit, I work in a very unorthodox way. But I’m an independent artist right now without the backing of a major record label and sometimes you’ve gotta bend and break traditional rules if want to see your dreams come to pass. I am a man who looks to God for direction and then I follow my heart with absolute passion and conviction. I have no regrets for living this way. On top of all this, it’s the new millennium and the ways of an artist getting his music into the ears of the public has completely changed. It’s no longer necessary to have a completed physical CD package in order to release your music. The internet has completely changed our approach in just about everything we do and music is no exception. People are now downloading mp3’s from sites like iTunes and often times they will only download the songs they want and not the whole album. So I am going with the flow and releasing my songs as I complete them. It’s cool though because I actually see each of my songs as a sort of completed project in itself. Because I do things with the utmost excellence and because it takes much money to do that, it can take me years to complete a project. When money isn’t an issue, I will perhaps release a project in one go and not in parts. But then again, I might just wanna throw that rule out the window and follow my heart and release a song the night it’s born and not wait until the whole album is complete. How cool would it be to get to hear the song of an artist you enjoy the very night they complete it!? I love that idea! Am I afraid I might repeat myself? Not the least bit, I’m far too creative and multifaceted to ever do that.

4. WHAT’S THE BEST AND WHAT’S THE WORST PART OF YOUR MUSIC, ACCORDING TO YOU?

I love all of my songs but I’ll admit, not equally. The best parts are the parts I love most, the worst are the parts I love least.

5. WHY DO YOU THINK THE ROCK AND POP FANS SHOULD CHECK YOU OUT? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO OFFER TO THE SCENE? IS THERE SOMETHING YOU FEEL THAT SETS YOU APART?

I go deeper than the soul, into my spirit, and I sing from that place. I believe that we all have the capacity to go there, it’s just that few ever do. It’s both glorious and frightening at the same time. Dangerous and fragile. I am simply myself and people are drawn to me because of this. It is humanity calling out to humanity.

6. YOU PLAY ROCK MUSIC WITH A FEW POP AND TRADITIONAL GREEK ELEMENTS. HOW DID THIS COMBINATION OCCUR?

Ahh, simply because I am Greek and grew up listening to traditional Greek music! I LOVE the bouzouki!

7. YOU ARE A GREEK AND APPARENTLY YOU LOVE YOUR MOTHER COUNTRY A LOT. YOU USE THE BOUZOUKI IN MANY OF YOUR SONGS AND YOU HAVE SOME GREEK LYRICS IN YOUR SONGS AS WELL. WHAT IS THIS THAT BONDS YOU SO MUCH WITH GREECE? WOULD YOU EVER CONSIDER MOVING TO GREECE PERMANENTLY?

I love Greece and I embrace my Greek roots. Greece is very sacred to me. I feel connected to the land, the people, the culture, the food, the history, everything! Greece is in my blood and I can feel it. My phone dials Greece at least once a week, my cabinet always has ouzo, my refrigerator never lacks feta cheese, and my mp3 player seems to always have a bouzouki playing! I am more and more in touch with Greece. I speak the language a little and have a desire to learn more! One day, I plan to have a home in Greece, most likely on an island.

8. ARE THERE ANY ELEMENTS YOU’D LIKE TO ADD OR EXPERIMENT WITH IN THE FUTURE?

Oh yeah! Many! Only time will tell but I can assure you that I will never stop trying different things! I am a very creative, experimental and curious person. And I am very spiritual, I mention this because in the spirit realm I find many amazing things that I bring back.

9. WHICH ARE YOUR MAIN INFLUENCES AND WHO ARE THOSE MUSICIANS THAT MADE YOU REALIZE THIS IS THE KIND OF MUSIC YOU LOVE AND WANT TO FOLLOW?

Vangelis has been a tremendous influence in my life. He is not only my favorite Greek composer but my favorite composer in all of the world! Bands such as The Moody Blues, U2, Sting and many more…I have been influenced by many friends who are not known by the world.

10. I’D LIKE YOU TO COMMENT A BIT ON THE LYRICS… WHICH ARE YOUR SOURCES OF INSPIRATION? My source of inspiration?

Life! It might be the laughter of a child, a friend in need, pleasant or painful memories, dreams, happiness, frustrations. Nature. The other day, I took a walk with my dog Magic and by the end of the road I had written a song for him. Traveling and being in other places far away stirs things up in me – the sights, the smells, the sounds of another culture and land. Sound inspires me. I will hear something like a car engine cranking up or the horn of a train or the wind blowing through the trees and it will actually inspire a melody or lyric or chord progression in me. Also, just sitting down at my piano inspires me. Most every time I sit to play, something fresh and new comes out. Sometimes it’s a song while other times it’s an idea or a melody that later becomes a song. Lastly, I must say that the hope of my music touching the world inspires me deeply. It is important that we as humans always have hope in our heart for through hope we find inspiration to fulfill our destinies. Lyrics? My lyrics are often inspired by the sound of a musical progression, I’ll do something on the piano or guitar and I will actually hear words or a certain phrase. The content of my lyrics tend to focus on positive things, I like knowing that my songs are helping people and helping to bring light into this world. If I can do this then when I breathe my last breath I will have peace knowing I fulfilled my purpose on this earth.

11. IF YOU HAD A BIG BUDGET TO SHOOT A VIDEO CLIP, WHICH SONG OF YOURS WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND HOW DO YOU IMAGINE IT TO BE?

"The Sun The Moon The Stars". We are actually in the process of planning this out even now. It will be very romantic, with a dreaminess to it. There are lots of details already decided for this video but I won’t share them because then it would spoil the surprise! *smile*

12. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO PROMOTE YOUR WORK? HAVE YOU GOT ANY PLANS FOR LIVE SHOWS?

Well, myspace has certainly been the most dynamic way that I have promoted my work, I am grateful for such a tool. Plans? I have many but it will take some time to bring them to fruition. I plan to tour the world, all in due time. (Click on "More…" to read the rest of the interview)

13. HAVE YOU SENT YOUR DEMOS TO ANY LABELS? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE OFFERED IN ORDER TO SIGN A DEAL?

My management company is soon to present my music to several major record labels. What do I want to be offered? I want to sign with someone who can truly get behind me in helping me carry out my global vision to touch the world with a message of hope and love.

14. IS THERE A QUESTION YOU’D LIKE TO BE ASKED AND NO ONE HAS EVER ASKED YOU SO FAR?

How do you do what you do? I have changed my perspective from one of fear and doubt to one of No Limitations. Let me explain… If I could convince you that there weren’t ANY LIMITATIONS and you knew for a fact it was absolutely true, what would you throw out? What mindsets and thinking patterns would you cease to embrace? What media programs would you stop watching? What books would you burn? What places would you stop going? What people would you stop associating with? What job would you quit? What drugs would you stop taking? What opinions, ideas and philosophies would you crucify? Now, considering that there are no limitations, how do you see yourself? How do you see the world? How do you see your music if you are a musician? How do you see your writings if you are a writer? How do you see your patients if you are a doctor? How do you see your students if you are a teacher? How do you see your baked goods if you are a baker? How do you see your new business if you are an entrepreneur? How do you see your family and friends and children? How do you see your future? and mine? The truth is that such does exist. There is a place where one can walk and live, a place that knows NO LIMITATIONS. And if you diligently seek after it, you will find it. You can know who you REALLY are and go where you were created to go. Destiny is yours if you want it. You can have deep satisfaction and genuine happiness. You can see tomorrow while living in today. Limitations only exist in the minds of those who choose to embrace fear and doubt. Truth’s sword prevails over all darkness, it is truth that can set you free, it is truth that knows no limitations. If you can see it then you can enter it and become it!

15. WHAT KIND OF EMOTIONS DO YOU THINK YOUR MUSIC IS ABLE TO CREATE OR TRANSMIT TO YOUR LISTENERS?

I will let my listeners answer this question. Here are some excerpts from guestbook entries… “Niko is not only lyrics and sounds, he is a vibe, an energy and an emotion that says a lot more than anything modern music can offer. Not having heard him at least once is the equivalent of never experiencing a sunrise or the birth of a child. Truly exceptional.” “Your voice is so wonderful that it brings me to heaven now! Soft! Deep! Full of emotions and dreams!” “Your voice is busting with emotion and has a touch of honey. When you sing it sounds as if sunshine is coming from you. I feel that you are something fresh.”

16. IF YOUR MUSIC WERE A PAINTING, WHAT WOULD IT SHOW?

It would show a father telling his daughter how beautiful she is (Aliesha Shine, Love), it would show a friend telling a friend how special they are (the Special One, Love), it would tell humanity that the only thing that matters is love (Love, Love), it would show a mother telling her son not to commit suicide because he has a God given destiny to fulfill (My Son, Love), it would tell the world that it’s a new day and that there’s a hope for us all (It’s A New Day, Voice), it would tell a lover that they were everything (The Sun The Moon The Stars, Voice), it would tell a friend to have peace about the death of her son (You’re In Heaven, Love), it would show a defiant generation of warriors (The Exodus, Heart Of A Warrior), it would show a man crying out to feel love again (Help Me To Feel, Love), it would burst with vibrant joyful colors (Joy, Voice), it would say “I see through all of your lies now” (Illusion, Voice), it would reveal a choir of angels singing every so peacefully (Angels, Journey Within)…and so much more.

17. THANK YOU! IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO MENTION?

Right now, at my website NikoOnline.com I am giving away my music for free! I am inviting people everywhere from around the world to download 20 mp3’s, absolutely free (songs from the "Love" album as well as "Voice", "Heart Of A Warrior" and "Journey Within")! Everyone can help by listening to the music and then passing on the link to others. NikoOnline.com also contains most everything anyone would want to know about me – there’s a very active Blog as well as a Forum packed with all kinds of information! Also, EMI Greece is soon to release my song “You’re In Heaven” (from the Love album) on a compilation CD that will be available throughout all points of sale in Greece and Cyprus. The title of the CD is “Never The Same” and features many other global artists we all love and enjoy. Thank you so much for the opportunity to connect with others through this interview, I appreciate the support of you guys there at Behind The Veil! Niko Papasideris ~ Nashville Tennessee.