Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Yorgos Elàson

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

My earliest memory goes back to when I was around five years old. My mom had scolded me for something, and in response I grabbed a small traditional Greek string instrument called a baglamás and wrote a rough little song apologizing to her. I placed a chair in the middle of the living room, sat on it, and gave my first “performance.” That moment stayed with me.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

I think it really started in primary school. A classmate invited me over to his house, and they had this huge grand piano—or at least that’s how it looked to us because we were so small, hehe. We would sit there for hours playing back and forth, almost like a question–answer improvisation without knowing what we were doing. We simply followed what felt right. Somewhere in those afternoons my passion for playing—and eventually writing—music was born.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

After 28 years of writing songs and 10 years of releasing music, and having been through two record labels, I now finally create exactly what expresses me the most. I work as an independent artist–producer, developing each project from start to finish mostly on my own.

I do have close musician friends who join whenever needed, but for the most part I compose, arrange, record, mix, play all instruments, and sing myself. I also handle the artistic side—like artwork and music videos—for each release. You could say it’s a true “one-man project.”

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I’d say it’s a blend rooted mainly in folk-rock, with elements of electronic and jazz music, often accompanied by experimental textures. Overall, the genre may shift from song to song, but there’s always a recognizable thread in the way I compose. To truly understand it though, you’d have to listen.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

By listening to other productions, I learned how much more interesting music becomes when you keep the listener’s curiosity alive—when you introduce elements they wouldn’t expect. It has to excite me first while creating it, and that naturally transfers to the listener.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

As a multi-instrumentalist, having a wide variety of instruments is essential so I can choose what fits each track. For example, I own more than ten acoustic guitars, each with its own unique character, and I use them accordingly. They don’t have to be expensive—just different in tone.

As an audio engineer, my gear is also important, especially for the recording process. Certain preamps or microphones aren’t mandatory, but without them things would be slower, harder, or simply not as good.

As a music technologist, my DAW—Cubase—is irreplaceable. I’ve worked with it for 30 years. Despite all its long-standing problems, it still gives me the flexibility and speed I need.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Internationally, I really dig Billie Eilish—and especially her brother Finneas for his unique production style. I also find Hozier incredibly creative.

From local artists, I’d say Marina Satti stands out for not following trends. I can’t recall more at the moment, to be honest.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

In every possible way. I almost always write about things I’ve experienced. And even when a song isn’t literally autobiographical, it’s usually triggered by a real moment, with pieces of truth woven into the story.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

I hope they can embrace their darker side and feel that they’re not alone when experiencing emotions like loneliness, abandonment, fear, or disappointment. There are others who feel the same, and once we recognize we’re part of a larger whole, that sense of belonging can illuminate parts of our darkness.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

That music connects people through emotion—no matter how cliché it sounds. Once you experience it, you never forget it.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

I never dreamed of performing in massive venues to feel fulfilled. I’d prefer playing once a week in a cozy underground jazz-ish place for the rest of my life. And I’d be even happier if I owned the place and the drinks were free for me, hehe.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Wow, that’s tough—there are so many great artists. I’d say Bob Marley or Jim Morrison. They both carried a unique aura and a writing approach that flowed from poetic to deeply realistic, which I absolutely love.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music?

As an independent artist, Bandcamp is currently the best place to support me financially—especially on Bandcamp Fridays:

https://elasonyorgos.bandcamp.com

YouTube is where you can listen to my music and watch all my music videos:

https://www.youtube.com/c/yorgoselason

For my latest updates, Instagram is my go-to platform—though I’m spending less time on it while preparing new releases:

https://www.instagram.com/yorgoselason

And for the numbers that unfortunately matter to everyone except me—Spotify followers and listeners:

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

Honestly, I don’t think of dreams in that sense. I don’t have expectations or grand visions. I simply do what I love the most—creating music. If it reaches far, that’s great. If not, it’s still great, because I’m doing what I love.

Maybe one dream I would like to fulfill in the near future is the one I mentioned earlier: being able to play live more often—establishing a weekly or bi-weekly show together with musician friends. Since I don’t make a living from music, and as a father of two, I haven’t been finding as much time as I’d like lately to actually play. So creating a steady live routine would be a beautiful way to stay connected with what I love.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

That I don’t reveal who I am by stating it directly, but through the songs themselves—through the emotions and beliefs they carry.

Representative YouTube Video