Untitled Document


	<<back 1. Greetings, Christos! It's the first time I'm interviewing Christ, ha-ha! Are there a lot of jokers on your name, or I'm the only pig, he-he? He-he. Thats ok. My name does mean Christ in Greek, but differs in pronunciation. Mine is stressed on the letter i whereas Christ is stressed on the letter o .Well, I could also say that if Christ had ever produced music, I guarantee you that he would sure still be selling by the millionseven in hell. (joke). Anyway I dont have the Jesus tag in the beginning of my name and I am certainly not capable of performing miracles. Ha-ha. 2. I must admit, Christos, that your demo really impressed me a lot. Please tell us when and where you decided to start this great project. This project started just a year ago when I decided to climb out of the world of light and step into the world of darkness. I mean creatively, not physically or psychologically. The main concept of my project is that of futility. Something that brings out a really gloomy feeling. 3. The Farewell Fields is a pretty interesting name as well, what inspired you to decide for it? I don't know why, but it reminds me of The Gladiator movie... Nice point there about the Gladiator movie. Now that youve mentioned it, that was pretty much like what I was thinking when I came up with this name. The Farewell Fields. Never-ending fields of tall dry grass. A place to step into as in a timeless state of wandering. This name also gives me a vision. That of a special gathering place. Where people are summoned to go and bid farewell to the physical world so as to step into a higher level of life. 4. You play all the instruments in this project, so please tell us where did you play before starting out with T.F.F. and why did you decide for a one-man-band now. In the past I formed a band with a friend of mine and I named it Twelfth Night after the Shakespearian play. We played rock music in the Greek language. As a matter of fact Niki used to sing with us also back then. My decision to work alone I think, comes out of a more mature approach to art and life altogether. I believe that we have reached the age of self-completeness where anyone can behave and perform individually. We live in a life of literal abundance whereas information reaches us from every aspect of things enriching our thoughts and actions, giving us the ability to work remotely. There is also a great distinction of opinions making people unique whereas in older times there were mass-driven feelings and expressions. Above all this, add the sufficient technology these days which does not demand the presence of a team of musicians to complete an album and you get individual people working on individual projects. But I must say that this way of working could result to rubbish. 5. This year you released your debut demo with the help of Niki Liberaki as female vocalist. Who's she? I would recommend you to make her a permanent member if possible as she's magnificent. Did you think of it? Yes. Niki is a friend of mine and she is truly magnificent. Even though there are a lot of professional singers who would like to co-operate with me, I believe in Nikis voice. It gives me that land of fairies feeling and thats why Im absolutely and definitely going to work with her in my next project which is coming up soon. 6. You used a Morrissey cover, but for my shame and regret I've never heard of that band before. Please tell me more on them and why you decided to cover one of their songs. Morrissey, a solo performer now, comes from the band the Smiths back in the 80s. Although his music is in a different genre than mine, the reason I chose this particular song Every day is Like Sunday because it brings out a feeling of melancholy in my opinion. If you read the lyrics its that futility I mentioned to you earlier. 7. What are your expectations from this demo? How are you promoting it? This demo is really an initialization of my new work. It consists of three songs. Up to now Ive sent it to some e-zines for review. The cover song has been played by a well known Athenian rock radio station. At the moment I am recording three more tracks to add, before revealing it to record companies. This new work brings out a darker atmosphere. 8. I said you were more a combination of Anathema/The Cranberries/The Gathering/Enia than Theatre Of Tragedy/Paradise Lost/Tristania/Lacuna Coil. Am I far off? Which are the bands that firstly got you into the Music business. I dont listen to Anathema but I guess Im a little close because other reviewers say so. As for the Cranberries, I think Niki is to blame (he-he, just joking) because her voice does slightly sound like Dolores (The Cranberries lead singer). As for the other bands you mentioned, I like them a lot and they are sure to have affected me indirectly. As to what bands got me into the music business I must recall the past and say that I traveled through my adolescence on a train called Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd, they are my major fundamental influences. I also must mention Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin and Rush. 9. By the way, do you remember the first time you bought yourself a musical instrument? How old were you and which were the sacrifices you did to buy it? Ha ha, telling you the year I bought my first guitar is like revealing to you my age. Anyway I was about twelve or thirteen back then when I used to live in Canada. That year I was starting to seek out life and discover myself. So out of curiosity I went into the first record shop in my life. Exactly at that time is when it struck me for the first time and marked me forever. The Kiss Alive I album! That live performance setup on the album cover! I mean those demon-like faces , the make-up, those black leather costumes, the lights , the smoke, all these made a great impression on my young virgin soul back then. (Well on one hand you may say that their music doesnt relate to their stage appearance, and youre right about that, but we shouldnt go further into that discussion). AnywayAfter that, buying and learning to play an electric guitar was definitely a one-way street for me. Although my father was totally against me becoming a musician, I earned my first guitar by washing dishes in a restaurant all summer. 10. What's music for you? Is it a way of supplying money for living, or just a hobby? If it's a hobby, it's an expensive one? Yes music is a hobby for me. And you can say an expensive one if you want to take it far. Thats because theres a crisis in the music industry nowadays and the results eventually dont pay off music creators. 11. Ever thought of playing live? Yes, thats also one of the other main goals I would like to reach, but only if I could complete a perfect setup to fulfill what I have in my mind of what I believe a live performance should be. Either that or I just remain sitting behind my PC and continuing to create studio albums. 12. What should we know about the person Christos Babalis? How old are you, what do you do for living, what are your daily activities and your hobbies? Well...yeah.Christoso.k. , lets speak about himwell I guess hes a very sensitive person, who tries to express himself through his musicI dont know his age exactly but I guess I can say that hes too old to rock n roll, but too young to die (quote: Ian Anderson). Well....his work.he is something like an environmentalist; he works with trees, forests, flora etc... Besides his job he spends the rest of his time writing music, looking after his family, designing 3d modeling and architecture on the computer and also studying Computer Science in the University. I must add that Ive rarely ever seen him sleepingyesas a matter of fact that point certainly needs his attention 13. You said you are preparing for your debut album. Please unveil us some details about it. When are you planning to release it? Well for start my new work for The Farewell Fields consists of three more songs and as I mentioned earlier is quite darker in expressions and attitude than the one beforebut all this work will be added in the end to complete a whole album. As for the lyrical part I want it to have a whole concept approach. 14. At this moment I am listening to the last album of Edguy, "Superheroes", and I can't get enough of it, I'm fuckin' bewitched. What are the albums that enchanted you this year? Well not many new releases have enchanted me this year. Except Tristanias Ashes. I am also fond of Oteps House of Secrets and Arch Enemys Doomsday machine. But I really listen to a lot of Paradise Lost, Lacuna Coil, Theatre of Tragedy, Rammstein, VNV Nation the list can go on and on 15. Since we are here, what new and promising Greek bands you would recommend us? Speaking of Greek music I was raised in a western country and am not fond of Greek culture and I totally despise Greek mainstream music. I also dont listen to much Greek rock music, so I am afraid I cannot recommend you anything on this topic. 16. Christos, I wish you all the best and I can't wait for the new album. We will talk more when it will be released. Now the final words are yours. Keep on rockin in the free world (quote: Neil Young) www.audiostreet.net/thefarewellfields

<<back

1. Greetings, Christos! It's the first time I'm interviewing Christ, ha-ha! Are there a lot of jokers on your name, or I'm the only pig, he-he?

He-he. Thats ok. My name does mean Christ in Greek, but differs in pronunciation. Mine is stressed on the letter i whereas Christ is stressed on the letter o .Well, I could also say that if Christ had ever produced music, I guarantee you that he would sure still be selling by the millionseven in hell. (joke). Anyway I dont have the Jesus tag in the beginning of my name and I am certainly not capable of performing miracles. Ha-ha.

2. I must admit, Christos, that your demo really impressed me a lot. Please tell us when and where you decided to start this great project.

This project started just a year ago when I decided to climb out of the world of light and step into the world of darkness. I mean creatively, not physically or psychologically. The main concept of my project is that of futility. Something that brings out a really gloomy feeling.

3. The Farewell Fields is a pretty interesting name as well, what inspired you to decide for it? I don't know why, but it reminds me of The Gladiator movie...

Nice point there about the Gladiator movie. Now that youve mentioned it, that was pretty much like what I was thinking when I came up with this name. The Farewell Fields. Never-ending fields of tall dry grass. A place to step into as in a timeless state of wandering. This name also gives me a vision. That of a special gathering place. Where people are summoned to go and bid farewell to the physical world so as to step into a higher level of life.

4. You play all the instruments in this project, so please tell us where did you play before starting out with T.F.F. and why did you decide for a one-man-band now.

In the past I formed a band with a friend of mine and I named it Twelfth Night after the Shakespearian play. We played rock music in the Greek language. As a matter of fact Niki used to sing with us also back then. My decision to work alone I think, comes out of a more mature approach to art and life altogether. I believe that we have reached the age of self-completeness where anyone can behave and perform individually. We live in a life of literal abundance whereas information reaches us from every aspect of things enriching our thoughts and actions, giving us the ability to work remotely. There is also a great distinction of opinions making people unique whereas in older times there were mass-driven feelings and expressions. Above all this, add the sufficient technology these days which does not demand the presence of a team of musicians to complete an album and you get individual people working on individual projects. But I must say that this way of working could result to rubbish.

5. This year you released your debut demo with the help of Niki Liberaki as female vocalist. Who's she? I would recommend you to make her a permanent member if possible as she's magnificent. Did you think of it?

Yes. Niki is a friend of mine and she is truly magnificent. Even though there are a lot of professional singers who would like to co-operate with me, I believe in Nikis voice. It gives me that land of fairies feeling and thats why Im absolutely and definitely going to work with her in my next project which is coming up soon.

6. You used a Morrissey cover, but for my shame and regret I've never heard of that band before. Please tell me more on them and why you decided to cover one of their songs.

Morrissey, a solo performer now, comes from the band the Smiths back in the 80s. Although his music is in a different genre than mine, the reason I chose this particular song Every day is Like Sunday because it brings out a feeling of melancholy in my opinion. If you read the lyrics its that futility I mentioned to you earlier.

7. What are your expectations from this demo? How are you promoting it?

This demo is really an initialization of my new work. It consists of three songs. Up to now Ive sent it to some e-zines for review. The cover song has been played by a well known Athenian rock radio station. At the moment I am recording three more tracks to add, before revealing it to record companies. This new work brings out a darker atmosphere.

8. I said you were more a combination of Anathema/The Cranberries/The Gathering/Enia than Theatre Of Tragedy/Paradise Lost/Tristania/Lacuna Coil. Am I far off? Which are the bands that firstly got you into the
Music business.

I dont listen to Anathema but I guess Im a little close because other reviewers say so. As for the Cranberries, I think Niki is to blame (he-he, just joking) because her voice does slightly sound like Dolores (The Cranberries lead singer). As for the other bands you mentioned, I like them a lot and they are sure to have affected me indirectly. As to what bands got me into the music business I must recall the past and say that I traveled through my adolescence on a train called Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd, they are my major fundamental influences. I also must mention Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin and Rush.

9. By the way, do you remember the first time you bought yourself a musical instrument? How old were you and which were the sacrifices you did to buy it?

Ha ha, telling you the year I bought my first guitar is like revealing to you my age. Anyway I was about twelve or thirteen back then when I used to live in Canada. That year I was starting to seek out life and discover myself. So out of curiosity I went into the first record shop in my life. Exactly at that time is when it struck me for the first time and marked me forever. The Kiss Alive I album! That live performance setup on the album cover! I mean those demon-like faces , the make-up, those black leather costumes, the lights , the smoke, all these made a great impression on my young virgin soul back then. (Well on one hand you may say that their music doesnt relate to their stage appearance, and youre right about that, but we shouldnt go further into that discussion). AnywayAfter that, buying and learning to play an electric guitar was definitely a one-way street for me. Although my father was totally against me becoming a musician, I earned my first guitar by washing dishes in a restaurant all summer.

10. What's music for you? Is it a way of supplying money for living, or just a hobby? If it's a hobby, it's an expensive one?

Yes music is a hobby for me. And you can say an expensive one if you want to take it far. Thats because theres a crisis in the music industry nowadays and the results eventually dont pay off music creators.

11. Ever thought of playing live?

Yes, thats also one of the other main goals I would like to reach, but only if I could complete a perfect setup to fulfill what I have in my mind of what I believe a live performance should be. Either that or I just remain sitting behind my PC and continuing to create studio albums.

12. What should we know about the person Christos Babalis? How old are you, what do you do for living, what are your daily activities and your hobbies?

Well...yeah.Christoso.k. , lets speak about himwell I guess hes a very sensitive person, who tries to express himself through his musicI dont know his age exactly but I guess I can say that hes too old to rock n roll, but too young to die (quote: Ian Anderson). Well....his work.he is something like an environmentalist; he works with trees, forests, flora etc... Besides his job he spends the rest of his time writing music, looking after his family, designing 3d modeling and architecture on the computer and also studying Computer Science in the University. I must add that Ive rarely ever seen him sleepingyesas a matter of fact that point certainly needs his attention

13. You said you are preparing for your debut album. Please unveil us some details about it. When are you planning to release it?

Well for start my new work for The Farewell Fields consists of three more songs and as I mentioned earlier is quite darker in expressions and attitude than the one beforebut all this work will be added in the end to complete a whole album. As for the lyrical part I want it to have a whole concept approach.

14. At this moment I am listening to the last album of Edguy, "Superheroes", and I can't get enough of it, I'm fuckin' bewitched. What are the albums that enchanted you this year?

Well not many new releases have enchanted me this year. Except Tristanias Ashes. I am also fond of Oteps House of Secrets and Arch Enemys Doomsday machine. But I really listen to a lot of Paradise Lost, Lacuna Coil, Theatre of Tragedy, Rammstein, VNV Nation the list can go on and on

15. Since we are here, what new and promising Greek bands you would recommend us?

Speaking of Greek music I was raised in a western country and am not fond of Greek culture and I totally despise Greek mainstream music. I also dont listen to much Greek rock music, so I am afraid I cannot recommend you anything on this topic.

16. Christos, I wish you all the best and I can't wait for the new album. We will talk more when it will be released. Now the final words are yours.

Keep on rockin in the free world (quote: Neil Young)