Ailafar returns with their sophomore release. The new album, “No Limits”, features various guest musicians of the Greek scene. The band’s mastermind, composer and guitarist John Tzortzis talks to Grande Rock and gives us all the info about the new album, among other things…
Hi John and welcome to Grande Rock. Do tell us in brief… how & when did Ailafar come to life and why was there that 3-year hiatus between your debut album and the new one “No Limits”?
J: Hi to everybody! Thank you for the interest to my music and the opportunity to be here! I started the band in 2006 after I finished my army service. I was trying to find musicians since 2004 but I stopped for sometime in 2005 and before I finish army I had found the members who helped me until 2008. I actually stopped for one year as the recordings of “No Limits” took 18 months! And that because I had to produce it myself while having a day job. And I had to arrange everything as well. Plus that shit happens every time!
By the way how did you come up with the name Ailafar in the first place?
J: The name comes from the Verb: Ail and the afar. Ail means something that causes us pain and sadness and so “Ailafar’’ means to push it away, be positive. I lost a dear friend from cancer in 2004 and it’s a tribute to her.
Can Ailafar be considered a full-time band or is it your personal music project?
J: Well it’s obvious that my two albums are mostly a project even though I tried hard to make a full time band every time. Apart from that, Tasos Oikonomou (drums), Kostas Mauroudis (bass) have played in both albums. Also our live singer Elisabeth Mari has been in most of our shows the last 4 years. Note that now we will play live with the line-up who recorded ‘’No Limits’’.
Do you believe that there are still places for melodic rock/AOR bands in today’s music scene or things are not like they used to be a couple of decades ago?
J: As a musician and a fan of this kind of music I will say that surely things have changed since many years ago, (to the worse) but people are still looking for melodies and emotions – feelings that they represent. It’s our nature and inner desire, even though our world is turning to plastic.
Do tell us a bit about the guest appearances of: Tatiana Oikonomou (vocals), Stephan Kammerer (vocals), Paul Jackson (vocals), David A. Saylor (vocals), Alexandra Mckay (vocals), Olga Katsenidou (vocals), Elisabeth Mari (backing vocals), Strutter (bass) & keys, Kostas Domenikiotis (bass), Chris Koutsouris (drums) and ApostolosMousias (drums).
J: Well Tatiana is a very good friend of mine for years and I am a big fan of her since 2006. She has recorded most songs in my first project along with my good friend John Vatzolas. She also has sung on many other demos. Her help and contribution is huge over the years and I am grateful to her. She’s amazing and I love her!
Stephen was suggested by a good friend of mine who’s a huge fan and great DJ of melodic rock! I contacted him, sent him the songs and he said yes! We made a deal and that was it. He did an amazing job. When I first heard the “Two Roses”, I jumped on the roof from happiness! Great singer, great guy!
With Paul happened the same as well. He was very friendly and he supports me a lot. It was very helpful and easy to work with persons and artists like them, as it was with David Saylor as well. David had worked with “Wild Rose”, who are friends of mine. So I knew him from there. He did a great job!
Alexandra is well known here in Thessaloniki and she has an amazing voice too and talent. We became friends over the years and that she agreed to help me in this project. She rocked! Elisabeth Mari is actually almost the permanent voice since 2011 in our shows. She’s a wonderful singer and a great friend. I hope she will be the lead singer of my next project. I had planned to have her as the lead voice in this project but due to other projects she had during the recordings I had to find another one. So I found through friends Olga. She agreed to help me for a while with the recordings and maybe some live shows. I believe “Faith in Love” proved to be a song made for her.
Stratos Strutter is the owner and engineer of the “Valve Studios”. He’s a really great guy and friend. We’ve been working together since 2010. He’s a great engineer and musician. Multi-talented! He’s currently the bass player of Gus G.. And also the bass player of his own band “Wanted”.
Kostas is virtuoso bass player and very good friend of mine. I asked his help which easily gave me. He did a great job and I love him as he’s a good friend!
Chris is another friend since 2008 and he’s an outstanding drummer. He did also a great job. He’s the current drummer of the famous Greek Pop band Mple. (Blue).
Apostolos Mousias was our live drummer from 2012-2014. A great drummer and guy!! I thank them all!
How did you come up with the album title “No Limits” and what does it declare?
J: Well its part of the lyrics of “Further the Road Signs” and it has to do with dream big! Wide horizons… Reach the unseen…
Do comment on each track…
J:“Live 4 Me Live 4 You”: A song for having a distant relationship – your soulmate in the distance.
“Flood of Love”: We mostly need love in life… that keeps us breathing…
“Further the Road Signs”: Dream big… live your life and always take the high way.
“Faith in Love”: A song about faith and trust in love and also wanting the same thing. That makes love grow.
“Two Roses”: When two people love each other… it’s love that should matter and get them through all difficulties.
“Tell Me Why”: The world has gone the wrong way. We became heartless and blind…
“A Way to Your Heart”: A song about being in love with no return and trying to find a way…
“Out of the Blue”: Sometimes luck changes and someone changes our lives to the better…
“Doors We Walk Alone”: We all get disappointed and hurt. In the end we must find the way out alone…
“Greatest Treasure”: Being rich in life but alone… means nothing. Having someone to love you it’s the greatest treasure.
“Ifigenia”: A song about young models and every beautiful girl who’s making a career in glamour world but exposed also to the reality of it…
“More Than One”: If we all unite we can make the difference and fight against poverty and injustice on this Earth…
“Heartlands Ground”: A song about when we love someone and we only need to be part of her/his life without stopping them from their day life, career etc. but we eventually stay behind, hurt and ignored.
You produced the album and also worked with Chris Dannys (recordings – mixing), Stratos (additional recordings) and Mitch Mitch Malloy (mastering). Did you finally achieve the sound you had in mind?
J: I believe mostly yes. Even after all the difficulties and problems I faced. But that’s life. I am very happy and satisfied though as I got steps further from my first project. They all did a great job to that direction.
Did you feel stressed at any point while working on the album (recordings, productions, mixing etc.)?
J: Yes of course I did. Things sometimes in life come in different way than we plan. I am happy I made it through. Thanks to some people who got involved and help me out.
Are TasosEconomou (drums), Kostas Mauroudis (bass) and Periklis Kotoulas (piano/keys) permanent members of the band and the ones that are going to participate in the band’s future live shows too?
J: Yes they will be and I am very happy for that! As they are great players and friends!
Will it be easy to perform the tracks live due to the participation of the various vocalists? Have you sorted that issue out and how?
J: I believe in a bit different way yes. Now we have a new male singer Stavros Georgiadis and along with Elisabeth they do a wonderful job!
Given the chance have you booked any live shows yet – and if yes where and when?
J: Yes our next show is here in Thessaloniki on November 14th and it’s gonna be the release live party!
What are you expectations from this album and from Ailafar in long term?
J: Well I would like to see it “traveling” to as many places it can and be a respectful album. If radio stations and people will keep playing and listening to it some years later, that will be a really success for me.
Which are those bands and artists that have influenced you in general?
J: Well surely: Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, Journey, Toto, Roxette, Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Heart, Europe, Bon Jovi, Survivor, Vixen, Bad English, Winger, Scorpions, Ratt , Pink Floyd, T’pau, Starship, Queen, Romeo’s Daughter, Heartland and many others!
Which are those specific “ingredients” that a melodic rock/AOR track must have?
J: Surely must be melodic! (hehe) I believe good melody, being catchy and well played and also a good production.
OK, time for our “weird questions”!!! Which are the top 3 melodic rock/AOR voices of all time?
J: Steve Perry, Annie Wilson & Lou Gramm…
Which are the best 3 melodic rock/AOR albums of all time according to you?
J: Journey – “Frontiers”, Bryan Adams – “Reckless”, Survivor – “Vital Signs”…
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star?
J: Janet Gardner…
Which are those 3 rock ladies that are even hotter & sexier than any Porn Star out there?
J: Janet Gardner, Robin Beck & Lita Ford…
Fill in the phrase… “Melodic Rock/AOR music wouldn’t have been the same, if it hadn’t been for…”
J: Journey and Foreigner…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
J: Bon Jovi – “Slippery When Wet” for obvious reasons… besides I could still live from it! Hehe…
What’s the worst thing one can say right after sex?
J: The name of another lover…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
J: Well most of them are beautiful so…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
J: To the Ancient Greece so I can be close to the Greek Philosophers who changed humanity.
Which character from the “Game of Thrones” would you have been – if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms?
J: Sorry I don’t watch it…
Imagine that your girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
J: I would make her sell it and buy me the double…
It was fun having you on Grande Rock John. Any last words? Take care and keep on rockin’ dude…
J: I would like to thank you again for the opportunity to be here and for your interest to my biggest dream… music! I hope you really like my work and it will be something you will go back to it sometimes. I would like to thank also all your readers and fans and I wish you all the best and good luck to your beautiful work! God bless you! Cheers – John Tzortzis Ailafar…
J: Hi to everybody! Thank you for the interest to my music and the opportunity to be here! I started the band in 2006 after I finished my army service. I was trying to find musicians since 2004 but I stopped for sometime in 2005 and before I finish army I had found the members who helped me until 2008. I actually stopped for one year as the recordings of “No Limits” took 18 months! And that because I had to produce it myself while having a day job. And I had to arrange everything as well. Plus that shit happens every time!
By the way how did you come up with the name Ailafar in the first place?
J: The name comes from the Verb: Ail and the afar. Ail means something that causes us pain and sadness and so “Ailafar’’ means to push it away, be positive. I lost a dear friend from cancer in 2004 and it’s a tribute to her.
Can Ailafar be considered a full-time band or is it your personal music project?
J: Well it’s obvious that my two albums are mostly a project even though I tried hard to make a full time band every time. Apart from that, Tasos Oikonomou (drums), Kostas Mauroudis (bass) have played in both albums. Also our live singer Elisabeth Mari has been in most of our shows the last 4 years. Note that now we will play live with the line-up who recorded ‘’No Limits’’.
Do you believe that there are still places for melodic rock/AOR bands in today’s music scene or things are not like they used to be a couple of decades ago?
J: As a musician and a fan of this kind of music I will say that surely things have changed since many years ago, (to the worse) but people are still looking for melodies and emotions – feelings that they represent. It’s our nature and inner desire, even though our world is turning to plastic.
Do tell us a bit about the guest appearances of: Tatiana Oikonomou (vocals), Stephan Kammerer (vocals), Paul Jackson (vocals), David A. Saylor (vocals), Alexandra Mckay (vocals), Olga Katsenidou (vocals), Elisabeth Mari (backing vocals), Strutter (bass) & keys, Kostas Domenikiotis (bass), Chris Koutsouris (drums) and ApostolosMousias (drums).
J: Well Tatiana is a very good friend of mine for years and I am a big fan of her since 2006. She has recorded most songs in my first project along with my good friend John Vatzolas. She also has sung on many other demos. Her help and contribution is huge over the years and I am grateful to her. She’s amazing and I love her!
Stephen was suggested by a good friend of mine who’s a huge fan and great DJ of melodic rock! I contacted him, sent him the songs and he said yes! We made a deal and that was it. He did an amazing job. When I first heard the “Two Roses”, I jumped on the roof from happiness! Great singer, great guy!
With Paul happened the same as well. He was very friendly and he supports me a lot. It was very helpful and easy to work with persons and artists like them, as it was with David Saylor as well. David had worked with “Wild Rose”, who are friends of mine. So I knew him from there. He did a great job!
Alexandra is well known here in Thessaloniki and she has an amazing voice too and talent. We became friends over the years and that she agreed to help me in this project. She rocked! Elisabeth Mari is actually almost the permanent voice since 2011 in our shows. She’s a wonderful singer and a great friend. I hope she will be the lead singer of my next project. I had planned to have her as the lead voice in this project but due to other projects she had during the recordings I had to find another one. So I found through friends Olga. She agreed to help me for a while with the recordings and maybe some live shows. I believe “Faith in Love” proved to be a song made for her.
Stratos Strutter is the owner and engineer of the “Valve Studios”. He’s a really great guy and friend. We’ve been working together since 2010. He’s a great engineer and musician. Multi-talented! He’s currently the bass player of Gus G.. And also the bass player of his own band “Wanted”.
Kostas is virtuoso bass player and very good friend of mine. I asked his help which easily gave me. He did a great job and I love him as he’s a good friend!
Chris is another friend since 2008 and he’s an outstanding drummer. He did also a great job. He’s the current drummer of the famous Greek Pop band Mple. (Blue).
Apostolos Mousias was our live drummer from 2012-2014. A great drummer and guy!! I thank them all!
How did you come up with the album title “No Limits” and what does it declare?
J: Well its part of the lyrics of “Further the Road Signs” and it has to do with dream big! Wide horizons… Reach the unseen…
Do comment on each track…
J:“Live 4 Me Live 4 You”: A song for having a distant relationship – your soulmate in the distance.
“Flood of Love”: We mostly need love in life… that keeps us breathing…
“Further the Road Signs”: Dream big… live your life and always take the high way.
“Faith in Love”: A song about faith and trust in love and also wanting the same thing. That makes love grow.
“Two Roses”: When two people love each other… it’s love that should matter and get them through all difficulties.
“Tell Me Why”: The world has gone the wrong way. We became heartless and blind…
“A Way to Your Heart”: A song about being in love with no return and trying to find a way…
“Out of the Blue”: Sometimes luck changes and someone changes our lives to the better…
“Doors We Walk Alone”: We all get disappointed and hurt. In the end we must find the way out alone…
“Greatest Treasure”: Being rich in life but alone… means nothing. Having someone to love you it’s the greatest treasure.
“Ifigenia”: A song about young models and every beautiful girl who’s making a career in glamour world but exposed also to the reality of it…
“More Than One”: If we all unite we can make the difference and fight against poverty and injustice on this Earth…
“Heartlands Ground”: A song about when we love someone and we only need to be part of her/his life without stopping them from their day life, career etc. but we eventually stay behind, hurt and ignored.
You produced the album and also worked with Chris Dannys (recordings – mixing), Stratos (additional recordings) and Mitch Mitch Malloy (mastering). Did you finally achieve the sound you had in mind?
J: I believe mostly yes. Even after all the difficulties and problems I faced. But that’s life. I am very happy and satisfied though as I got steps further from my first project. They all did a great job to that direction.
Did you feel stressed at any point while working on the album (recordings, productions, mixing etc.)?
J: Yes of course I did. Things sometimes in life come in different way than we plan. I am happy I made it through. Thanks to some people who got involved and help me out.
Are TasosEconomou (drums), Kostas Mauroudis (bass) and Periklis Kotoulas (piano/keys) permanent members of the band and the ones that are going to participate in the band’s future live shows too?
J: Yes they will be and I am very happy for that! As they are great players and friends!
Will it be easy to perform the tracks live due to the participation of the various vocalists? Have you sorted that issue out and how?
J: I believe in a bit different way yes. Now we have a new male singer Stavros Georgiadis and along with Elisabeth they do a wonderful job!
Given the chance have you booked any live shows yet – and if yes where and when?
J: Yes our next show is here in Thessaloniki on November 14th and it’s gonna be the release live party!
What are you expectations from this album and from Ailafar in long term?
J: Well I would like to see it “traveling” to as many places it can and be a respectful album. If radio stations and people will keep playing and listening to it some years later, that will be a really success for me.
Which are those bands and artists that have influenced you in general?
J: Well surely: Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, Journey, Toto, Roxette, Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Heart, Europe, Bon Jovi, Survivor, Vixen, Bad English, Winger, Scorpions, Ratt , Pink Floyd, T’pau, Starship, Queen, Romeo’s Daughter, Heartland and many others!
Which are those specific “ingredients” that a melodic rock/AOR track must have?
J: Surely must be melodic! (hehe) I believe good melody, being catchy and well played and also a good production.
OK, time for our “weird questions”!!! Which are the top 3 melodic rock/AOR voices of all time?
J: Steve Perry, Annie Wilson & Lou Gramm…
Which are the best 3 melodic rock/AOR albums of all time according to you?
J: Journey – “Frontiers”, Bryan Adams – “Reckless”, Survivor – “Vital Signs”…
Who is the sexiest female Rock Star?
J: Janet Gardner…
Which are those 3 rock ladies that are even hotter & sexier than any Porn Star out there?
J: Janet Gardner, Robin Beck & Lita Ford…
Fill in the phrase… “Melodic Rock/AOR music wouldn’t have been the same, if it hadn’t been for…”
J: Journey and Foreigner…
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
J: Bon Jovi – “Slippery When Wet” for obvious reasons… besides I could still live from it! Hehe…
What’s the worst thing one can say right after sex?
J: The name of another lover…
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity/porn-star of your choice. Who would it be & why?
J: Well most of them are beautiful so…
If you had the chance to travel in time… where would you choose to go? To the past or the future and why?
J: To the Ancient Greece so I can be close to the Greek Philosophers who changed humanity.
Which character from the “Game of Thrones” would you have been – if you lived in the Seven Kingdoms?
J: Sorry I don’t watch it…
Imagine that your girlfriend is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
J: I would make her sell it and buy me the double…
It was fun having you on Grande Rock John. Any last words? Take care and keep on rockin’ dude…
J: I would like to thank you again for the opportunity to be here and for your interest to my biggest dream… music! I hope you really like my work and it will be something you will go back to it sometimes. I would like to thank also all your readers and fans and I wish you all the best and good luck to your beautiful work! God bless you! Cheers – John Tzortzis Ailafar…