Stelios Vassiloudis is an accomplished composer, producer, and DJ based in Athens, Greece. He has been a significant contributor to the electronic music scene since the early 2000s, known for his unique sound that goes beyond the dance floor. Stelios combines intricate harmonies and rich sensibilities to create a narrative that transcends genres.
Photo Credit: Stelios Vassiloudis – Official
With a Bachelor’s degree in acoustical engineering and a Master’s degree in composition, Stelios is classically trained and has an impressive discography that includes releases on labels such as Bedrock, Poker Flat, and Ovum, among others. His passion and drive for music constantly inspire him to push boundaries and evolve his sound, making him a highly respected artist in the industry.
Stelios returns to Bedrock with his latest album, ‘Human Damage Human,’ showcasing his impeccable technical knowledge and diverse background with a cohesive yet varied sound palette. The album features hypnotic rhythms and complex soundscapes, reflecting Stelios’ emotional narrative and boundless creativity, and proves his ability to remain progressive in a fast-changing scene.
‘Human Damage Human’ is a contemporary and modern twelve-track opus that builds in energy and intrigue from start to finish. It journeys through trip hop, electronica, jazz, downtempo, and leftfield to create a record that’s both brave and familiar. Despite its miscellaneous nature, the album is wholly cohesive and intended for start-to-finish listening.
EG caught up with Stelios Vassiloudis to learn more about the release of his new LP, ‘Human Damage Human,’ as well as his future projects and much more.
EG: Hi Stelios! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Stelios Vassiloudis: Hello, I’m doing very well, and thank you for having me. I’m currently on a sleeper train from Guangzhou to Beijing in China. Nothing like a bit of adventure in between weekends of gigs!
EG: Exciting. First of all, congratulations on the release of your new studio LP, ‘Human Damage Human’. What has the initial reception been like? How do you feel about it now that it’s out?
Stelios Vassiloudis: Thank you very much. The initial reception seems to be overwhelmingly good! I’ve received some extremely enthusiastic and kind feedback – although to be fair, you rarely get to hear back from people that hate it. I’m really proud of it and I’m happy it’s finally out there for people to enjoy.
EG: So, what’s ‘Human Damage Human’ all about? Is there an inspirational trigger or concept to this one?
Stelios Vassiloudis: The album overall is pretty dark and reflective of a particularly difficult period in my personal life.
EG: And what can we expect to find on ‘Human Damage Human’, music-wise? How does it compare to your previous albums?
Stelios Vassiloudis: I’d say it’s more ambitious and adventurous than anything I’ve made before. I consider albums to be listening experiences, first and foremost, so that gave me the inspiration to push myself and experiment outside my comfort zone.
“The album overall is pretty dark and reflective of a particularly difficult period in my personal life”
EG: There’s also a number of vocal-led cuts, including three collaborations with Metalcore singer Alex Avdis. How did this come to happen? Why did you decide to work with Alex for this particular project? Did you guys have a previous relationship?
Stelios Vassiloudis: Alex and I went to school together and although our careers took completely different paths there’s always been a shared common musical background and mutual respect. I was very particular about the type of vocal(s) I wanted and I was sure that he had the technical chops and creativity to deliver.
EG: ‘Human Damage Human’ is out via Bedrock, and comes a decade after the release of ‘It Is What It Is’. Have you taken time to reflect on how long you’ve come? In which ways would you say you’ve changed as an artist?
Stelios Vassiloudis: I haven’t actually! Whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing, it feels like yesterday that ‘It Is What It Is’ was released. Of course, a lot has changed; for me personally, for the label, and for the industry, in general. I’m definitely wiser, tougher, and more confident than I was back then – you have to be nowadays because being a full-time musician means you’re a serial freelancer and entrepreneur!
EG: Right now, social media seems to play a completely prominent role in the development of an artist’s career. What’s your stance on this? Is this bringing us closer than ever, or is it drawing our attention away from the actual music?
Stelios Vassiloudis: On the one hand, it has granted us unprecedented and unfathomably powerful connectivity/advertising access. On the other hand, it has happened completely democratically and simultaneously – something that has tipped the scales in ways we (still) struggle to figure out. For me, it’s helpful to draw the line between music and content. One has artistic merit, the other not so much. One is something to be experienced and appreciated, the other is meant to grab attention. To answer your question, I’d say that while social media is undeniably a useful tool, it is also a massive distraction and should be handled with care.
EG: How do you keep entertained when not in the studio? Have you recently found any good movies, books, or albums you’d recommend?
Stelios Vassiloudis: As I mentioned before, being a full-time musician in the digital age also means you’re a marketer, accountant, manager, agent, business developer, strategist, PR specialist, etc. I recently read about the ‘Musician’s 50/50 rule’, which basically states that you should spend the same amount of time bringing your music to market as you did making it – which is a scary thought for me as I already spend the biggest part of my day working in the studio! I have read some great books lately though: ‘War on Peace’ by Ronan Farrow and ‘The Hype Machine’ by Sinan Aral. As for albums, I loved VRIL’s ‘Animist’, One of Them’s ‘Sithabo’, and Black Light Smoke’s ‘Ghosts’.
“I’d say it’s more ambitious and adventurous than anything I’ve made before”
EG: Can you share something personal with us only a few people know about?
Stelios Vassiloudis: Here are three (one is complete bullshit). I can’t stand olives, even though I’m Greek. I used to visit Vangelis at his house when I was a kid – but never took interest in his synths. I’m Banksy.
EG: What’s next for Stelios Vassiloudis? Where can your fans catch you next? What new milestones are you looking forward to in 2023?
Stelios Vassiloudis: I’m currently on tour in China for the next few weeks and will continue to concentrate on promoting the album in the greater region. In the fall, I’ll head back to Europe and slowly make my way to Central and (hopefully) South America.
I’ve got a couple of interesting releases and collaborations in the pipeline but for now, I’d prefer to focus on the album.
EG: Thank you for your time, Stelios! We’re excited to see what’s in store for you. Take care!
Stelios Vassiloudis: Thank you for having me back and all my best to you and your readers 🙂
Stelios Vassiloudis ‘Human Damage Human’ is out now via Bedrock Records. Stream and buy here.
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