Artists
who's who and who's doing what?Athena
- country:Greece
- style(s):Folk Acoustic
- label:Embraceable Records
- type:Band, Solist
- instrumentation:vocal
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Totally devoted to her art and effortlessly bridging her English and Greek backgrounds, London-born Athena combined an early passion for the songs and poetry of Greece with elements of jazz, folk, contemporary and classical music, evolving an English songwriting style that is unmistakably her own. Her quartet with acoustic guitarist Werner Kristiansen, double bass player Tom Mason and percussionist Ben Bryant gels perfectly, each a virtuoso but sensitive to the spaces which allow Athena's unique music to breathe. She's a songwriter of extraordinary depth, delving deep into the inner psyche, while weaving enough strands and layers to keep you guessing. She's a gripping performer, her breathtaking voice as suited to her own intensely involving lyrics and melodies as it is to free improvisation. And her stage presence - powerfully emotive, but with a disarmingly natural charm is captivating.
For Breathe With Me, her recently released debut album, Athena had a remarkable production team including noted Greek composer George Andreou and the legendary Joe Boyd. The album was released in February 2007 to great critical acclaim. Since then Athena has completed another 20-date national tour that included London's Queen Elizabeth Hall and in the coming months will continue promoting her album as well as appearing at the Barbican Hall in London and at the St Ives Festival in Cornwall.
Is a rare original in a world crowded with singer-songwriters." Joe Boyd: Clearly a fine songwriter...one of the discoveries of the year. " The Guardian.
"Each song here is a treasure... this is special." * * * * Daily Express
"Sparklingly spans the boundaries of folk, pop, jazz and world music, enhanced by a voice of great emotional resonance." * * * * Uncut
"This powerfully emotive debut deserves to mark her out as one of the year's major new stars." * * * * Mojo
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