Crimson Moon: How did you get started?
Giannis: Well, just like any teenager, with an acoustic guitar on my hands and a lot of dreaming to change the world, hahaha! A lot of bands since 1997, always making original music, and all these led to 2010 and the formation of “The Damnation Project”, a prog based band in Athens, Greece.
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Giannis: I don’t really like to put labels on my music. It started like a prog band, but the influences were always so many. So, for the past 10 years I have blended a variety of styles like rock, pop, prog, blues, post, instrumental, in my albums.
Crimson Moon: How has the fan response been?
Giannis: It was surprisingly good, I think because what we created from those very first days, was kind of unique and because we created an impact on our live performances. People always looking for something new, you know.
Crimson Moon: How many albums/CD’s have you released?
Giannis: Three full length albums since 2012 and the 4th, named “4” will be released this spring.
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some of the songs on the latest CD?
Giannis: The new albums contains 3-4 radio targeted rock hits, with a little old school sound, kind of 70s, some ac/dc influence there, but also contains 3 instrumental songs, one 8 minute experimental post rock, named “I can see you”, which is already released in all platforms as a single, one acoustic blues ballad, only an acoustic guitar and vocals, there, and some other rock tracks with more prog DNA in them.
Crimson Moon: You writes the music? Lyrics?
Giannis: Yes, I compose everything, record almost everything, and also mix and produce everything in my home studio.
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Giannis: Of course, from real life, real situations, feelings about love, hate, anger etc. Sometimes I must “create” a character or a situation, but I still have to be so much “in” the role to write the lyrics.
Crimson Moon: Has the Covid Pandemic impacted you at all?
Giannis: Yes of course, because if there would be any chance to perform live those albums, the odds are not so strong, anymore. If I must find session musicians, pay them, pay the studio for a dozen of rehearsals and then everything is canceled because of sudden restrictions, I don’t even want to try. But, as in many bands, covid quarantine time, gave me enough time to record vocals for my new album that was abandoned in my hard disc since 2018, due to lack of free time.
Crimson Moon: Do you have any side projects?
Giannis: Yes, I have. A pop rock 80s, 90s, cover band, and I may be involved in an 80s hard rock band. I am also recording some new songs these days, based on a great Greek poem. I don’t know if I am going to release it as a new Damnation Project album or with a new project.
Crimson Moon: What is the music scene like where you are from?
Giannis: I am from Greece so the most famous music in my country is cheap Greek pop dance music. I personally hate it because it has gradually vanished most of interesting music genres and stuff in Greece, through years. But there are always some independent groups and teams that produce true art. We still must dig deep to find them.
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Giannis: Mainly classic rock, 70s prog, and prog metal. But I do take a lot of good vibes from classical music, film music, Greek folk music, and I also am a big fun of jazz and blues music.
Crimson Moon: What is the mood when you play live?
Giannis: It depends on the project I am on stage with. But if we are speaking for The Damnation Project, I am always kind of excited. Trying to pass to the audience all those bigger feelings I am trying to describe in my songs and make them feel the songs are them, not only mine.
Crimson Moon: Have you ever played in another country?
Giannis: No, although I would love to. It is something that I am going to try as soon as we get better with corona restrictions, globally.
Crimson Moon: Do you do anything special warm-ups you do before you play live?
Giannis: Usually, I have a lot of anxiety problems before I hit the stage, so I need 2 drinks and I am ready. Always checking on technical stuff before I start and then I go for it.
Crimson Moon: What made you want to be a musician?
Giannis: I think it was my destiny and my DNA. A lot of musicians in my family, a lot of music in the house I grow up. Also, I had the right influences in the right time. You know, when you are a teenager and you want to change the world and suddenly you discover the great stories of Led Zeppelin, Doors, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, and the way they change the world of art, it is sure that you would want to go this way.
Crimson Moon: As a musician what advice can you give to fellow musicians just starting out?
Giannis: Always study your instrument, take care of your voice, stay focused on your targets, but stay on the ground. Take care of your equipment, be prepared for everything that could happened on stage, invest on your music, make good productions, step by step and even if you don’t be famous, you will always have a nice work to be proud of.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for you?
Giannis: I hope my new release to have nice reviews and sales and to start, soon, my next album. Also, I cant wait to be on stage again with my new team.
Contact them at:
https://thedamnationproject.bandcamp.com/
https://m.facebook.com/TheDamnationProject
https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC2GEcFBX4-z_hjBW5RtFe0g?feature=share
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2oqquPQ8hqtk1d5pUpkigq
https://deezer.page.link/uiYDxGeS2BUV9PEW7
https://music.apple.com/mx/artist/the-damnation-project/523964295?l=en
https://www.instagram.com/the_damnation_project/
https://twitter.com/thedamnationpr
