A sunrise legacy: Freespirit’s Cavo Paradiso odyssey

At the turn of the century, Greek DJ and producer Sotiris Felonis—known as DJ Freespirit—found himself at a crossroads. Leaving behind Patras’ urban energy, he embraced a new chapter in Mykonos, where his deep love for electronic music converged with the iconic terrace of Cavo Paradiso. Twenty-five years later, his name is synonymous with the club’s sunrise sessions and the magnetic pull of Mykonos nightlife.

Photo credit: Alessandro Kikinas

Emerging from Patras’ vibrant music scene, Freespirit’s early experiences in the city’s clubs set the stage for a musical journey that spans the deep to the dark, the afro to the melodic. With releases on Redolent, Go Deeva, Wired, and Claps, and gigs at renowned spots like Pacha Ibiza and Cocoon, Freespirit’s footprint has extended far beyond Greece.

His role as A&R and label manager of Cavo Paradiso Records and his work with Venus Radio further showcase his devotion to house music’s many shades.

In this conversation, Freespirit opens up about two decades behind the decks, his philosophy for nurturing new talent, and the creative spark that keeps him moving forward.

EG: Welcome, Sotiris! Two decades on the Cavo Paradiso terrace is quite a milestone. What still fuels your excitement when you drop that very first track of the night?

Freespirit: Hello guys, and thanks for having me on EG. This summer marks my 25th year as a resident at Cavo Paradiso, and every time I play, I feel the same excitement as I did the first night. A great crowd of clubbers from around the world, a top-tier sound system, and that breathtaking view in the morning light—it’s the perfect combination. As a DJ, I couldn’t ask for anything more.

EG: You arrived in Mykonos from Patras with a genuine “free spirit.” How did those early city-club experiences shape the broad house palette you champion today?

Freespirit: My first steps in music back in my hometown were in some of the coolest bars and clubs, which regularly hosted top guest DJs from across Greece. I did the warm-up sets for most of them and stayed all night to soak up the vibe and atmosphere. A year before I moved to Mykonos, I started my own party series—I still remember my first international guest, Silicon Soul. It was a night to remember. Starting something from scratch and being responsible for the entire production taught me a lot and prepared me for the future.

EG: As Cavo Paradiso Records’ A&R and label manager, how do you preserve the club’s identity while scouting fresh sounds for the catalogue?

Freespirit: Since last year, we relaunched Cavo Paradiso Records. The label has existed for years, mostly known for mixed CD compilations, but I personally felt something was missing. Every summer we host some of the best DJs and producers, alongside rising stars, so finding fresh, unsigned music for the label is quite organic. Our main aim is to deliver music that works on the dance floor—for both DJs and clubbers. So far, we’ve had 15 releases with great chart success. Our focus is mainly on Afro House and Melodic Techno, always with a strong dance floor feeling.

EG: You’re partnering with Glenn Morrison and Alpine on a limited 200-copy coloured vinyl series this summer. Why does wax feel like the ideal medium for the Cavo sound right now?

Freespirit: Personally, I love vinyl, and it was a dream come true to release one after just a year of running the label. The vinyl will feature some of our bestsellers, along with a few unreleased tracks. When I spoke to Glenn about it, he was just as excited. His knowledge, experience, and the full analog mastering process made this project really special. We’re releasing 200 copies of a beautiful coloured vinyl, which will be available at the club’s boutique this summer for clubbers and music lovers alike.

“Being a resident at one of the world’s best clubs for so many years has been like a school to me”

EG: Your upcoming collaborations include Joseph Abruzzi, Eran Hersh, and Glenn. What creative spark convinces you a co-production is worth pursuing?

Freespirit: This has been my most creative year so far. After a full season in Mykonos and Cavo, my debut in Miami, and various gigs across Europe, I’ve been filled with inspiration and great memories. That resulted in many solo projects and a few special collaborations with artists I respect and admire. Joseph is a friend from Italy—an amazing producer and DJ. He’s already signed a cool track to the label, and since our sounds align closely, we decided to collaborate on a track called ‘The More I Feel’. Working with a legend like Glenn Morrison came after many long phone conversations, sharing memories and ideas inspired by Cavo’s early days. As for Eran, he’ll make his debut at the club this year, and we’ve also decided to work on something special together for the label.

EG: Beyond the club, you curate music for Venus Radio. How does programming daytime airwaves differ from steering a sunrise dance floor?

Freespirit: Venus Radio is dedicated to house music and Mykonos vibes. It’s been around since 1989 and became part of the Cavo Paradiso group two years ago. Curating music for radio was a new challenge for me, but with over 25 years of experience in the industry and countless residencies in Mykonos, it turned out to be a great decision.

EG: Greek electronic music has blossomed in recent years. Which emerging local artists or scenes are inspiring you the most at the moment?

Freespirit: There are so many amazing Greek artists right now who inspire me and the younger generation as well. Just to name a few: Argy, Echonomist, Thodoris Triantafillou, Liva K, Marasi—and many more.

EG: In the studio, are there specific synths, plug-ins, or even Mykonian field recordings that have become signature ingredients in your latest tracks?

Freespirit: Serum is one of my favourite synths in the studio. Inspiration for a track can come after a great night at the club or even during a chill day at the beach. Before I start any track, I always keep the dancefloor feeling in mind.

“Starting something from scratch and being responsible for the entire production taught me a lot and prepared me for the future”

EG: Your gigs have taken you from Pacha Ibiza to Cocoon. What lessons from those global booths have filtered back into your Cavo residency philosophy?

Freespirit: Being a resident at one of the world’s best clubs for so many years has been like a school to me. It taught me to be flexible and open-minded with my music. Knowing you’re part of a larger puzzle and understanding your role in the night is crucial. There’s a big difference between a warm-up slot, an after-hours set, or playing a main slot at a beach club versus a dark underground venue.

EG: Looking ahead five years—toward Cavo’s 35th season—what evolutions or projects would you love to see for both the club and its record imprint?

Freespirit: I’d love to see the club continue to host top-quality artists and give clubbers from around the world unforgettable experiences. A Cavo Paradiso world tour would also be an amazing project to pursue. As for the label, I want to continue supporting new talent and hopefully release more vinyl!

EG: Thank you, Sotiris, for sharing your journey with our readers. Any final words before we reunite under the Mykonos sunrise?

Freespirit: Thanks for having me—it’s been a pleasure to share my story. To all the readers and music lovers out there: keep supporting the culture, stay safe, and dance like there’s no tomorrow. See you on the dance floor!