Surprise Cast #72 The gift - das Gift

Welcome to the latest episode of Surprise Cast! This episode has been a long time in the making as we connected with Luna several months ago to set up this podcast. Today, we are thrilled to have the band The gift, das Gift from Athens, Greece join us. We'll dive deep into their songs, explore what it's like to be musicians in Athens, share stories and childhood experiences, discuss when they knew they wanted to become musicians, recommend albums, and much more.

We begin our conversation with Omar, the percussionist of the band, who shares insights into his role and the band's experimental approach to percussion instruments. As a drummer, Omar’s love for rhythm and beats shines through, promising an engaging discussion about his percussive work later on in the episode.

Next, we chat with Luna, the singer and composer who brought everyone together to form the band. She shares her exhaustion from a recent concert and her excitement for the upcoming live performance. Luna gives us a glimpse into her creative process and the driving force behind the band's music.

We also meet Antonis, the keyboardist responsible for the atmospheric elements in their music. He talks about his journey with the keyboard, synthesizers, and pianos, and how his role is pivotal to the band’s unique sound.

As we delve deeper, Omar shares a heartfelt story about his childhood ("Intense in one part, but very pleasant as well"), growing up in Greece and Jordan, and how these diverse cultural experiences shaped his musical journey. Luna expresses her childhood ("I had a very, very happy early childhood and Antonis recounts his experiences ("I'm a 90s kid...I'm pure millennial") shedding light on the personal histories that influence their music today.

The conversation takes an interesting turn as we discuss the creative process, challenges faced by the band, and their inspirations. Luna reveals how her grandmother's ("always playing music...singing") early musical influence was crucial to her development as an artist as well as studying music, going to concerts ("PJ Harvey in 2003"), while Omar talks about his early start with piano lessons, music school ("two best years of my life") and how an artist such as PJ Harvey shaped his musical taste. Antonis began piano lessons at 6 years old. ("My parents were worried about me not being very active...Mom, I want this grand piano"). Depeche Mode and Marilyn Manson played an inspirational role for constructing his music tastes. 

We then explore the stories behind some of their songs from the EP "Hand to Heart." Luna shares the inspiration behind "Red on Blue," a song born from a nightmare and how the live version of the song has evolved ("now the song has a bang"). The band also discusses "Technicolor," the first song Luna recorded with her former producer, and how it has transformed over time. ("the final verse has a bit more energy")

In a reflective segment, we delve into the philosophies of creativity, patience, and the therapeutic power of art. Omar, Luna, and Antonis share their thoughts on how music has the power to heal, inspire, and bring out the best in us. They also discuss the importance of taking things slow, breaking rules creatively, and the journey of self-discovery through music.

As we wrap up, the band gives us a sneak peek into what's coming in 2024, including live performances, new songs, and potential recordings. They also share their favorite albums, providing listeners with a diverse range of musical recommendations.

Join us for this illuminating, thoughtful, and intelligent conversation with The gift, das Gift. Listen to their music, feel the power of their words, and experience the connection they bring through their diverse art. Tune in to Surprise Cast for an episode that promises to inspire and captivate music lovers everywhere.

"variety invites differences very gently and warmly" - this quote couldn't sum up the band's approach any better!

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