Psarantonis

Antonis Xylouris (Psarantonis)

Psarantonis Performing during Cross Culture Festival in Warszawa in September 2011
Background information
Birth name Antonis Xylouris
Αντώνης Ξυλούρης
Born 1942 (age 7374)
Origin Anogeia, Crete, Greece
Genres Cretan Folk music
Occupation(s) Composer, singer
Years active 1961–present
Associated acts

Nikos Xylouris

Daemonia Nymphe
Notable instruments
Cretan Lyra
Psarantonis at the "All Tomorrow's Parties festival", curated by Dirty Three (Butlins, Minehead, UK, 27-April-2007)

Antonis Xylouris (Greek: Αντώνης Ξυλούρης; born 1942), nicknamed Psarantonis (Greek: Ψαραντώνης), is a Greek composer, singer and performer of lyra, the bowed string instrument of Crete and most popular surviving form of the medieval Byzantine lyra. He comes from the mountainous village of Anogeia in Crete and is the younger brother of the late Nikos Xylouris, a notable Cretan singer/musician as well as the older brother of Yiannis Xylouris, an equally notable Cretan musician. Psarantonis is known for the special timbre of his voice and his lyra playing style. Apart from the lyra Psarantonis plays various traditional instruments.[1][2]

He first played the lyre at the age of 13 and recorded his first single in 1964, titled "I Thought of Denying You" (Greek: Εσκέφτηκα να σ' αρνηθώ). He has released many recordings since then and has represented Greece many times in festivals abroad.[3][4]

In May 2005, Psarantonis performed at the World Music Institute's 20th anniversary benefit concert at Town Hall, New York. In 2007 at the festival Rock "All tomorrow's Parties" in Minehead, UK. In January 2009, he gave memorable performances in the rock music festival All Tomorrow’s Parties hosted in Brisbane, Sydney and Mount Buller (in Victoria) and curated by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. In 2007 he worked with Daemonia Nymphe on their album Krataia Asterope doing the vocals and playing the lyra in the track Dios Astrapaiou

He has also worked with the Italian singer and songwriter Vinicio Capossela, similarly as his son Labis.

Discography

See also

References

  1. Short Biography (Greek) Retrieved on 2008-10-20
  2. The Rough Guide to Crete p.250, by John Fisher and Geoff Garvey. Retrieved on 2008-10-20
  3. Short Biography Retrieved on 2008-10-20
  4. Interview (Greek) Retrieved on 2008-10-20
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