Lesvos band “Ela na deis”, known for their authentic island and festive sound, is touring Australia this February, bringing the liveliness and energy of Greek revelry to the Greek diaspora Down Under.
After arriving in Sydney on 7 February, where they performed a sold-out show, their next stop on the tour was Melbourne, where they performed on 14 February at the AD Club (Agios Dimitrios) in Dingley Village.
A group of friends that formed into a band
*The information about the band’s history and philosophy, as well as excerpts from statements by its members, comes from their previous interview on the radio station NISSI 99 FM.
They may have started in a backyard, as a group of friends with a shared passion for music, but today the band “Ela na deis” has evolved into a beloved youth group on Lesvos.
The band consists of Thanasis Vouros (keyboards), Stratos Venetis (bouzouki, vocals), Ermolaos Katsouridis (clarinet) and Marios Xenos (vocals). Although different in personalities and paths, their music connects them in an authentic and true way.
“We started in 2011 as a group, at Thanasis’ house, with a few notes and a lot of enthusiasm,” said Marios, one of the founders.
The band’s name came about almost by accident – from a song title they used in an old video, which eventually became their identity.
Thanasis, a self-taught musician, speaks of hours of study and perseverance, while Stratos, with interests ranging from music to fashion and design, sees art as a unified space of expression.
Ermolaos, with studies in musicology and experience in theatre, chose to return to Lesvos to create “something with soul.” Marios, with his distinctive folk voice, sees singing as a way of communicating and connecting with the world.
A sound that unites
Their repertoire moves easily from tradition and folk songs to more contemporary sounds, always with the truth of the music as their main guiding principle. As they say themselves: “We play everything – as long as the music has something to say.”
Life as a young musician on an island is not easy. Rehearsals, traveling, setting up equipment, and side jobs are part of their daily routine. However, the reward comes every time the audience responds.
“Seeing people smile, dancing, feeling you – that’s the most important thing,” they say.
With a strong presence on social media and an ever-growing audience, “Ela na deis” is now travelling outside of Greece, bringing the authentic sound of the Greek festival to new stages and new people.
