Christos Tsitroudis aka Monsieur Minimal , one of the most famous musicians and singers in indie, pop and electronic music not only in Greece but internationally. You can enjoy an interesting interview:
1. Your first album was an immediate and a great success internationally. Did you aim at this? Especially considering that your genre(indie/pop/electronic) is not very popular in Greece.
You always try to pursue your music to reach as many ears (listeners) as possible. Indie/pop music continues to be unpopular in Greece but it is definitely very popular abroad.
2. Would you say one of your main goals is to finally establish yourself abroad and pursue an international career?
That would be ideal. It is almost a dream. Ι will certainly try it.
3. When you wrote your songs with greek lyrics, did you feel like you were taking a risk for the kind of music you’ve been playing all these years and that has established you. Do you consider their success unexpected or not?
To my mind, the language is an extra tool in my hands. If I manage to write music in Greek, I will “welcome” it. I do not have a taboo with writing songs in greek, as long as the outcome will be attractive.The song “Pasta Flora” is a successful example. It is reasonable that a song in greek is going to be successful in Greece since we speak and express our feelings in the same language daily.
4. After all do you prefer the “Past Flora” desert or visiting the café-bar “Pasta Flora” *
I prefer visiting the café-bar of course.
5. After your appearance in Moby’s concert, have you increased the demands on yourself ?
I have not thought about my final goal. I really enjoy what I do and I prefer not to see it so competitively.
6. There are only a few other famous artists on your genre of music. What could be the reason for this?
The fact that there is no audience for this kind of music.
7. Your songs (with foreign and greek lyrics) express a restrained joy. Would you say this emotion is something of a daily occurance?
I try a lot to express it (restrained joy/optimism).. Nevertheless, Greece’s and the world’s situation, do not help me to feel too much joy. My songs reflect my psyche and my dreams.
8. In a few songs we can distinctively hear wind instruments. Personally, I like them very much. Why don’t you include them in more songs? Was the use of them an inspirationof the moment?
Every song is unique with its own character and needs. The same concept in every singe of my songs, would be boring
9. Do you have any plans for concerts or an album? Where can we enjoy your concerts this summer?
Currently, I am writing and processing my sound and the philosophy of my next album. I am looking for inspiration and new experiences that will lead me to them. I am going to stay in Berlin in order to record my ideas. When I arrive in Greece, I will do some scheduled concerts and maybe more.
10. Nowadays, because of the crisis of values we’re experiencing, how difficult is it for someone to be simple and gentleman?
Nothing is easy. It depends on the lifestyle. Life is a daily fight and mainly with ourselves. If we manage to deal with ourselves, our daily life will be better.
* Pasta Flora is one of the most favourite café-bars of Monsieur Minimal, which is located in Thessaloniki, Greece.
His latest album “ Ηigh Times” is released by Mo.Mi. Records with the support of Wish sugar free products and it is distributed by Feelgood Records In all record stores of Greece and Cyprus.
Listen or download the album “High Times” here: http://momirecords1.lnk.to/high-times
Order the cd here: http://www.momirecords.com/shop/
Listen or download new and fresh remixes of the song “High Times” here: https://monsieurminimal.lnk.to/hightimesremixpack