Monsieur Doumani: "Angathin" new album launching

The Cypriot group Monsieur Doumani, following the international success of their two previous albums, returns to Paphos and at Technopolis 20, this time to present their third album ‘Angathin’, on Friday, 16th of March 2018, at 8:30pm.

The album Angathin consists almost exclusively of original compositions and it essentially picks up from where their previous multi-award-winning album 'Sikoses' (2015) left them. The album with the symbolic name ‘Angathin’ (which translates as ‘thorn’) addresses more than ever, the political, social and activist concerns and sensitivities of the group members and it is a call for rebellion against corruption, racism and injustice. The songs are inspired, among other things, by the unstable political situation on the divided island of Cyprus and the need for peace and reunification, as well as environmental crimes committed in the name of economic growth and profit. Musically, the mood for experimentation is obvious both in terms of composition and arranging as well as texture-wise, while the album fosters new unexpected relationships in melody, rhythm, harmony and timbre. Angathin’s musical language is built on the coordinates of traditional Cypriot music but is infiltrated by elements from many other genres such as rock, blues, hip-hop, punk, psychedelia, balkan etc.

‘Angathin’ also stands out for a wide range of collaborations. Popular Cypriot songwriter Alkinoos Ioannidis and perhaps the most important contemporary representative of Cypriot traditional music Michalis Terlikkas interpret a song each on the album. The participation of the talented Cypriot rapper JUΛIO brings a fresh air to the project as well as the unexpected participation of perhaps the greatest contemporary Greek songwriter Thanasis Papakonstantinou. Moreover, the acclaimed Cypriot composer based in St Petersburg, Andreas Kameris, has arranged one of the pieces (the hidden track [not included on the LP]) for choir, performed in the Greek-Cypriot dialect by the Russian vocal ensemble Fortis. Last but not least, the charismatic Greek vibraphonist and drummer Alexandros Gagatsis gives rhythm to one of the tracks with his udu drum.

The album ‘Angathin’ was recorded and mixed at Ahos studio in Megalovrisos Agias (Greece) by Makis Pelopidas. It was mastered at Sweetspot, Athens by Yiannis Christodoulatos and produced by Monsieur Doumani. The cover artwork is by street artist 'twenty three'. The album, which is released on CD, LP and digital format, is distributed by Xango Music in the Benelux and by Proper Distribution in the rest of the world.

The group will be touring Cyprus next March, presenting this work as well as material from their two older albums. They will also tour presenting the album ‘Angathin’ in Cyprus next March, Greece in April and central Europe in May. In the summer they will participate in major international festivals such as the Rudolstadt festival in Germany.

THU 15 MAR - STO DROMO, LIMASSOL (25 357777)
FRI 16 MAR - TECHNOPOLIS 20, PAFOS (70 002420)
SAT 17 MAR - ANTONAKIS, NICOSIA (22664697)
SUN 18 MAR - ANTONAKIS, NICOSIA (22664697)

A few words about the group:

Monsieur Doumani, nominated for ‘Best Group’ in Songlines Music Awards 2016, was formed in 2011 in Nicosia by Antonis Antoniou (tzouras), Angelos Ionas (guitar) and Demetris Yiasemides (trombone, flute). Coming from different musical backgrounds, but influenced by the Cypriot tradition at various levels, Monsieur Doumani compose Cypriot songs that draw inspiration from contemporary Cypriot society as well as from the shaky conditions of our era. The original identity of the project was determined by the adaptation of Cypriot traditional pieces, with a special contemporary color in sound and mood.
www.monsieurdoumani.com | [email protected] | 0035799335047

Entrance: 10 euro with free CD
Reservations are necessary at 70002420 (calls only)