- 2024-07-30
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MUSIC
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Plàsi Releases New EP “Salamina”
Greco-Swedish singer-songwriter Mikael Bitzarakis, aka Plàsi released his new EP “Salamina” on July 26, 2024.
The EP is his first project in two years since the 2022 album “Foreign Sea”.
The EP comprises a 5-track, which Plàsi recorded in Salamis, produced by Björn Yttling of Swedish indie pop rock band Peter Bjorn and John.
Salamina is the largest Greek island in the Saronic Gulf.
Plàsi said of the EP, “On the island of Salamina, full of mysterious feelings and unexpected views, the idea of my new EP was born. An environment that made me think outside of my own box and convinced me to take steps in new directions. With Björn Yttling from Peter Bjorn And John taking on the production, and all other fantastic people part of this journey, it became reality.”- He continued, While I was in Salamina, something in me just wanted to take that step from being 'the guy with the guitar' to having a full band sound. I wanted everything to feel bigger.”
He added, “There are places in the world that show us the way without trying. Life in Salamina changes in a second. You can go from the cosmopolitan capital to the rural island—almost right next door. It's rough, but honest. In a way, the landscape tells us a lot about life and its natural beauty. This particular environment really made me think outside of the box.” -
Plàsi explained track-by-track for the EP.
“Salamina”
“Two years ago in the beginning of May I went over to the island of Salamina just outside of Athens to write some songs together with Linus Hasselberg. The weather was shifting, the atmosphere mysterious, and the flavors were deep. One of the nights we started singing on a melody that would become the title track of my EP 'Salamina'.
When we started writing it, something special happened. It was different from anything I'd done before. It became the basic idea of what I wanted to write around. The journey began with this song on Salamina.”
“Avignon”
“It's the most experimental song on the EP. It has a sound that I didn't expect we would reach before entering the studio, but it really made me take a step into exciting territory together with Yttling.”
“Ordna Sig”
“It wasn't planned, but for some reason the lyrics came out of my mouth in Swedish when I was writing 'Ordna Sig'. The melodies, chords, and progressions reminded me of the Swedish scene I grew up in, so it felt 100% natural to write it that way.”
“All of Me”
“Continuing to challenge your thinking can be hard when you've found an expression, you're comfortable with. The curiosity of trying something new will still be there unless you actually try it. I'm daring to take a step in a new direction.”
“Innocent”
“It's about dreaming back to the youth times when one's problems seemed less complicated than when you grow up. It's a call to the generation below me to take their chances to run, explore, and try their wings before they get stuck in the labyrinth of life.
I am myself more than ever. I'm following my instincts. The energy I have at the moment and the type of songs coming out now are not a coincidence. I wanted a bit more pace and power in my musical project because that's where I am right now in my life. I'm thrilled with the result.”
Photo by Olof Grind
Background photo by Luna Perri - source : Apple Music
