Cellar Sessions: Leon Of Athens - Xenos June 19th, 2018 City Winery New York
  • 5 years ago
Leon Of Athens sits down for a One On One Session at City Winery New York on June 19th, 2018. Watch the full session here: https://youtu.be/KcgzvRR-bn0 For more info visit: http://leonofathens.com Audio & Video by: Ehud Lazin Audio Mixing by: Nikos Goudinakis

Setlist:
Utopia
Aeroplane
Xenos
Fire Inside You

London-based Greek indie-pop star Leon of Athens will be releasing his forthcoming album Xenos, produced by David Kosten (Bat For Lashes, Marina & The Diamonds) on February 9th.

Channeling a similar widescreen pop sensibility as Bastille, James Bay and M83 alongside the flamboyant beauty of Sufjan Stevens, Bright Eyes, Perfume Genius and Tame Impala, the album Xenos is a beautiful, thoughtful piece of work. It showcases just why he has become a huge live draw in Greece – where he plays to audiences in their thousands – his ever-growing fan base across Europe and his rising profile in the USA where he has just been confirmed to appear at Okeechobee Festival and South By South West in March.

From the uplifting indie-pop of the singles ‘Aeroplane’ and ‘Fire Inside You’, to the dark creeping electronics of the title track and ‘Serpents Egg’, Leon Of Athens proves himself an intriguing and exciting force. Current single ‘Utopia’ pulls together melancholic electronics and solemn vocal tones before breaking into a jubilant bright chorus bursting with optimism. There are delicate moments on the stark piano-led ballads of ‘Letters To My Father’ and ‘Final Moment’, while the album closes with the joyous ode to his favorite place in the world ‘Corfu’ and the tender, dreamy ‘Moonlight’.

Leon Of Athens has been inspired by life within a country that has been facing many challenges during recent years. His music is informed by the refugee crisis, the rise of fascist groups in Europe and Brexit and also personal upheavals: fractured relationships, youth, freedom and death.

Xenos follows the highly acclaimed release of his 2015 debut album Global, which was championed by the likes of The Guardian, NME, Q, New York Times and more.

He recently completed a sold out UK and European tour.

PRAISE FOR LEON OF ATHENS

“Brainy pop inspired by Bernardo Bertolucci, inflected with electronic, folk and other flavours” – The Guardian

“Leon of Athens has mastered the art of electronica-tickled, horn-smattered, melodic pop.” – NME

“The Greek god of indie-pop” – Wonderland

“In this place where tragedy was invented, the song was joyful and sadly cathartic.” – New York Times
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