Organized by: “Proodos” Cultural Association
The renowned artist Dimitris Mystakidis, as part of his tour across the islands, is coming to Kalymnos!
It is a great honor for our association to host this collaboration. The beloved musician will take us on a journey through the rebetiko songs of the early 20th century, a time when Greek migrants were departing for distant America. With his guitar and the visual material accompanying the performance, he brings to life their pain and longing, their anxieties and fears, and the dream of one day returning home.
This audiovisual performance has received outstanding reviews, and we are eagerly looking forward to experiencing it here on our island.
We would be delighted to welcome you on December 6th at 21:30, at the Municipal Small Theatre (above the K.A.P.H.).
At the end of the press release below, you will find reviews and links with more information about the show.
The poster includes the ticket sales points. Due to limited seating, please secure your tickets early.
PRESS RELEASE
Dimitris Mystakidis – “Amerika”
In this solo performance, Dimitris Mystakidis reinterprets rebetiko songs recorded and performed exclusively in America by Greek migrant musicians nearly a century ago. The pain of separation, the long and arduous journey to the United States, the struggle for survival and adaptation, marginalization, the lure of illegality, nostalgia, and the dream of returning home—these unfold like cinematic scenes through the songs of the performance. Their music, austere yet intricately crafted, evokes emotion, awakens memories, and stirs the listener.
The audiovisual material accompanying the show serves as a reminder that history repeats itself. It highlights the experiences and emotions shared by migrants of every era and every nation.
“Amerika” (April 2017) is the third solo album by Dimitris Mystakidis, following 16 Rebetika Songs on Guitar (2007) and Esperanto (2015). It offers his personal perspective on the rebetiko songs of the Greek-American diaspora, while reviving the forgotten technique of the tsimbiti (plucked) guitar.
The tsimbiti technique was developed in early 20th-century America by Greek immigrant musicians Giorgos Katsaros and Kostas Dousas (or Gousias), and also in Greece by Kostas Bezos (A. Kosti). Influenced by the fingerpicking style of African-American blues musicians, they adopted the unique open tunings they encountered in America, creating a distinctive way of playing. In the neighborhoods of the new world, melodies from the homeland—and their own compositions—took on a new sound.
The “Amerika” album received exceptional reviews in Greece and abroad, remained for months on the Transglobal World Music Chart and the World Music Charts Europe, and was listed among the best albums of 2017 internationally.
In October 2017, “Amerika” was presented live as a showcase at WOMEX in Katowice, Poland, selected by the artistic committee from 1,350 submissions. Mystakidis’ appearance at the World Music Expo offered a unique opportunity to highlight this important chapter of Greek urban folk culture on a global stage.
Dimitris Mystakidis: guitar & vocals
“Amerika” is available on CD and digital release from Fishbowl Music Tank.
WHAT THEY WROTE ABOUT “AMERIKA”
On the album:
“If you ever wanted a record that justifies the term ‘Greek blues’, this is the one. Mystakidis’ solo acoustic guitar and voice, with only a few guest vocal touches, form a display of unpretentious power—worthy of admiration. From the opening track ‘Kai Giati De Mas To Les,’ with stunning plucked guitar playing (‘f*** me, Skip James meets Ali Farka Touré,’ exclaimed a friend), this could be a masterclass and an inspiration to many… The elegant bilingual Greek-English packaging includes historical background and details about the tunings used. It is a treasure and deserves to be a global reference point for open-minded acoustic guitar lovers.”
— Ian Anderson, editor of fROOTS (UK)
On the live performance:
“Dimitris Mystakidis—one of the great musicians of Greek traditional music who now plays almost exclusively rebetiko. His voice is deep, calm, profoundly seasoned. His guitar playing is exactly what it needs to be—every bit of technique serving the song, never pandering to the audience. He embodies a rare and ancient tradition. The performance includes projected texts in Greek with English subtitles, but his storytelling voice is so expressive that meaning comes through even without them. The low vocal harmonics and the slow, commanding melodies fuse with the guitar in a subconscious harmonic chorus. Very beautiful music. A remarkable example of how passion burns brighter when contained within strict stylistic and rhythmic boundaries than when scattered through volume and speed. A deep and essential lesson for many young musicians.”
— Nick Hobbs, music producer; founder of Charmenko, Charmworks & Charm Music
Related videos
https://youtu.be/Eiisv698yF4
https://youtu.be/YvVkjligOEE
https://youtu.be/gwTnY0FrCiE
https://youtu.be/wJMduTqAHxg
More about Dimitris Mystakidis:
www.dimitrismystakidis.gr
https://www.facebook.com/DimitrisMystakidisOfficial
