Diandra Interviews Leon of Athens: The Icarus of Music
Leon of Athens is, exactly, as his title. He is regal and mythic, but also feel accessible and brimming with eternal youth: much like the city itself .Yet, that was his purpose’ to capture his hometown in a way that brought it to 2020. Greece, currently, is divided in how it is globally viewed; a nation that was, literally, god-like in history, but is as scared as, most of us are now, about whether its youth can truly thrive in its space. In our interview, Leon of Athens opens up about how his music brings a fantastical display to the struggles of youth.
Diandra: If there was a Greek myth that mostly embodies your style of music?
Leon of Athens: Ummmm…. Hmmm….I would have to say Icarus. Do you know him?
Diandra: Yeah (I laugh!) You’re the kid that flew too close the sun an died? That’s so sad!
Leon of Athens: (he laughs) Well, I live near the temple where the Icarus story, supposedly, happened. I love that story because I always wanted to fly, and, now, it is more of an image of the quest to fly.
Leon of Athens – Communication (feat. Katerine Duska) || Official Lyric Video
Diandra: Do you think that being surrounded by so much mythological history has given you a fantastical edge?
Leon of Athens: Oh yes! Greek nature is very mythical, especially Athens. It gives me a lot, in terms of imagery. It is a city of mountains and leads to the Aegean Sea, which is where the myths took place.
Diandra: Do you see your music as a voice for your generation?
Leon of Athens: I wouldn’t want to say I am the voice of the youth. I grew up in Athens, and I left during the economic crisis of Greece, which influenced me. So it’s hard to claim I represent my generation, but music, definitely, gives a voice to the youth. My hope is to be one of the voices of hope for the youth through my music.
Diandra; What about you does your music convey?
Leon of Athens: I would say my fragility; the part of me that are most fragile. It helps me be in tune with the emotion generated with living in this world like, lost faith and lost relationships. Music brings you back to your childhood emotions. It brings you back to when you had faith in humans and relationships and having hope for humanity, in general.
Diandra: What is your favorite childhood memory with music?
Leon of Athens: I remember searching my brother’s albums when he was a little boy. I remember listening to the anthology album of The Beatles. Every time I would come back homes, I would listen to this album and it would make my mind travel. I haven’t listened to it in awhile.
Diandra; What are 3 facts about yourself that you feel define you?
ANEMOΣ – Leon of Athens, Katerine Duska
Leon of Athens: I really love your questions, by the way. They feel really different. I like traveling and sport, and I really like Cinema.
Diandra: What is one film you were turn into a song?
Leon of Athens: Boyhood because its 12 years in a life. You know, it capture what it is to go from being a boy to a man.
Diandra: What do you feel is the ultimate message of your music?
Leon of Athens: The message would be that life has a lot of things that are givens, including both good and bad, but it it is always worth it to keep fighting and growing. I have learned this from my story and other people’s story.
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