- Night On Earth (band)
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Night On Earth is a multi-collective band which originated from Athens, Greece in 2004. Borrowing their name by the famous Jim Jarmusch film [1], the band is best known for the cinematic essence that echoes throughout their compositions and lengthy improvisations.
They are comprised usually of seven musicians, covering a typical rock band basis, which is completed by classical instruments such as piano and violin. Some descriptions that have been posted or written concerning their musical identity are: blues noir, detuned blues, "if you ever wanted Portishead to cover Tom Waits"[2], "somehow blending melancholic jazzy moods over trip-hop with a touch of spacey and trippy sounds"[3]. So far, Night On Earth have released two albums.
Contents
History
The band was formed as an outcome of an improvisation that was performed live by Paracroussis, a devoted "post-music sound-terrorist collective" where NOE's members where involved back then. Their musical style can be portrayed as a puzzle of trip hop and blues noir, tuned in a jazzy mood, under an improvising spirit; entering trippy and moody soundscapes that echo cinematic references. The band themselves claim that their sound is more influenced by the images of Jim Jarmusch and Wong Kar-wai than a specific musical movement. Their music references can be witnessed within a wide range of music world: from Bristol vinyls to the 70’s progressive guitar trips; from the spirit of 20th century avant-garde composers to Keith Jarrett’s endless piano improvisations; from free jazz to terms of american folk songwriting.
The band is normally consisted of seven musicians of diverse musical backgrounds and influences.
In October 2006, the band recorded, produced and released their debut album, a selftitled double-CD, under Greek independent label Outlandish Recordings, hosting guest musicians such as contemporary cellist Nikos Veliotis, trumpetist Natryx and sonic artist Nokalypse. The album received remarkable reviews from webzines, press and radio and had its impact on the Greek music scene.
In December 2008, their second album entitled "Second Hand" was released, under the label of Upstar/Sony Music. The album was the result of the innovative collaboration between the band and famous Greek folk songwriter Thanassis Papakonstantinou who also produced it, hosting widely acclaimed guest musicians from a broad range of musical background of the local scene, such as Fotis Siotas, Yiorgos Georgiades, Sofia Eukleidou, Marily Milia, Pantelis Stoikos and others. The album introduced band's perspective on the songwriter’s older material, creating songs based on his music and lyrics and bringing together diverse influences ranging from free jazz and post-rock to Greek folk music.
Night On Earth frequently perform under alternate line-ups introducing different aspects of their sound. By the subtitle in a silent way they perform as an acoustic trio (piano, voice & violin) featuring guest musicians. During these shows, they perform acoustic versions of their repertoire as well as jazz standards, favorite songs, improvisations, film themes, rembetiko and traditional music. They also perform under the subtitle ‘impro’ in concept gigs devoted to improvisation, mainly free.
Live concerts
They have been performing live since November 2004 in various venues in Athens and all over Greece, touring and participating in festivals. Their live shows are occasionally accompanied by visuals, shortfilms and performance. They have performed as the support act for Baby Dee (Antony and the Johnsons, Current 93), Mecano (NL), Gevende (TU) and Thanassis Papakonstantinou, one of the most influential Greek folk songwriters. In March 2007 they toured Greece with American underground songwriter/singer Dayna Kurtz, sharing double-bill shows. They have also performed in Berlin venues.
Music in films
Night On Earth have composed score for the short film "Hoy No Vengo A Cenar" by Thanassis Totsikas and Yiorgos Pantazopoulos. They have also contributed with some tracks from their debut album to the soundtracks of "Roz" ("Pink"), a film by Alexandros Voulgaris, and "Kleftes" ("Thieves"), a film by Makis Papadimitratos. The band also appears in a documentary about the trip-hop status in Greece, titled "Trippin' And Hopin'", shot and edited in 2009. They also collaborated with other Greek bands playing live in a one-shot documentary, which was inspired, filmed and edited by Vincent Moon.
Members
Current
- Costinho - piano, rhodes, Hammond, analog synthesizer, guitar
- Juanito - violin
- Lagos - electric guitar
- Petros Lamprides - electric bass, double bass
- Digital Alkemist - drums, electronics
- Sophia Sarri - vocals
- Dimitris Miyakis - sound
Collaborating musicians
- Kostis Tsioulakis - drums
- Kleitos Kyriakides - sax, flute
- Dimitris Aronis - electric guitar
Discography
- Night On Earth (Outlandish Recordings, 2006)
- Second Hand (Upstar/Sony Music, 2008)
Related projects & bands
Costinho, Lagos, Juanito and Sophia Sarri
- Paracroussis
Costinho and Petros Lamprides
- The Jukejoint Alligators
- Fidel Son
Costinho
- solo musician
- documentary filmmaking
Sophia Sarri
- Sanades (a cappella women choir)
Lagos
- Trio,14
Petros Lamprides
- Checkmate In 2 Flats (Mat se 2 Yfeseis)
- Onions
Digital Alkemist
- solo musician & producer
- DJ
- Nightstalker
- Allison
- Blend Sextet
Kostis Tsioulakis
- Checkmate In 2 Flats (Mat se 2 Yfeseis)
Dimitris Aronis
- Modrec
- Palindrom
References
External links
- noeband.gr - band's official website
- Night On Earth YouTube - band's YouTube channel
- Night On Earth Facebook - band's Facebook music page
- Night On Earth LastFM - at last.fm
- Night On Earth at Allmusic
- Second Hand album review by Left Of The Dial Mag
- Second Hand album review by urb.com
Categories:- Greek musical groups
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