SOLO RELEASES
BALKAN-EXPRESS (LP, Akuphone, 2022)
Contrarily to the rest of Tasos Stamou’s experimental discography, the musician’s latest album Balkan Express has a more obscure electro-folk approach. It consists of seven pieces, all recorded with seven different vintage electric keyboards from Stamou’s own collection, blended with oriental acoustic solos. Since Stamou grew up in the Balkans in the ‘80s, he wanted to pay homage to the essence of the sound of the era that unintentionally shaped a whole culture. It was when these inexpensive, available-to-all electronic keyboards with synth sounds and drum machines replaced traditional Balkan folk music ensembles. The acoustic instruments solos and melodies of the album were influenced by local traditions and the heritage of the Byzantine & Ottoman music. Balkan Express is meant to be a time capsule taking the listener to the folk-wave retro-Balkan subculture.
MONOLITHS (2xCD, Moving Furniture, 2021)
The occasion of this double album is to present the two different practices in my music, live performance and studio work.
Although phenomenally coming from a different place, it is a result of years of experimentations to bring a simple yet complete electroacoustic set up both on stage and in studio. The original idea was to compose or perform with acoustic instruments generating sustained sounds in a way that, although electronically manipulated, would retain all the organic and sensual qualities of traditional organized sound making devices, often called “instruments”.
ANTIQUA GRAECIA (LP, Ikuisuus 2021)
“Antiqua Graecia” is the third of the trilogy of electroacoustic compositions inspired by Greek folklore. Following the previous two relevant releases, which are capturing the vibe of Cretan tradition (Musique Con Crete) and rembetiko music (D.A.D), Antiqua Graecia comes to complete the cycle of Greek-based themes by capturing the essence of the rural mainland countryside.
While references of antique instruments and vocals are present all across the album, the narrative is also conducted by the presence of analogue synthesizers and computer music structures, reassembling the pieces of the originals to a music collage depicting the vibe of (one more) dying tradition, towards a futuristic reincarnation of it.
Greek Drama (CD, Chocolate Monk, 2020)
Using recycled folk loops, self-made synths and two Greek folk strings, this album was recorded In July and August 2020 in Agioi Theodoroi, Greece. It is a collection of tracks investigating and researching some sort of “Greekness” in me and in my music influences; aesthetically unfiltered, strictly transcendental in a very personal non traditional Greek way…
D-A-D (LP, Discrepant, 2019)
After 2018’s Musique Con Crète Tasos takes a deeper dive into his unique world of Greek traditional avant garde. Inspired by his passion about rebetiko genre, improvisation was the starting point for the creation of some of the nine pieces wrote for “D-A-D”.
The electroacoustic compositions often serve to interact with field recordings that are wisely manipulated, while acoustic instruments, like the bouzouki and the santouri, build up the connection with the tradition and the necessity to slow down and follow the narrative.
Musique con Crète (LP, Discrepant, 2018)
The project is the result of a three-year creative research project across Crete (GR). Starting with an artist residency the musician visited the Greek island over the course of three summers, collecting field recordings, performing with local musicians, producing electronic compositions and gathering old records and tapes of traditional music of the region. The project resulted in the assembling of a unique sound collage which reflects his personal experience as a music visitor to this part of the Mediterranean with one of the richest ancient history and living traditions.
Discrepant Label
Interview in the Wire Magazine, issue 413
Caveman (LP, Moving Furniture, 2017)
This album is a representative sample of Tasos Stamou’s live sound. Both tracks are complete extracts of free improvised solo performances using his portable electroacoustic music studio.
Both tracks have been carefully selected for their sound and narrative qualities, also taking in consideration the blend between acoustic and electronic elements.
Koura (CD, Moving Furniture, 2016)
Both tracks in this album are parts of a composition series based on sustained, multitrack recordings of solo acoustic instruments (zither and chord organ here).
The instruments have been performed with extended techniques and with additional live electronic “extensions” (looping feedbacks & downsampling, pitch shifting, reverberation and oscillators).
A Trilogy by Lal Lal Lal Records
(3 x CS, 2015-16)
A sonic-fairytale trilogy by Finnish cassette label “Lal Lal Lal”.
The tracks have been created with a combination of live recorded material and studio additions (modular synthesizer). Each piece follows an abstract narrative, based on rough electronics and tribal music connotations. Instrumentation is quite eclectic, varying from handmade electronics to objects and souvenir instruments.
A Trilogy by Orila Records
(3 x 3"CD, 2013-14)
Three EPs made for Orila Records are assembling a variety of micro-tracks from one year's recordings with a portable four-track recorder. All compositions were recorded in between different environments and sometimes literally on the road using handheld electronics, objects, voice and other materials found at the spot.
Seven Synth Drone Studies
(CD, Triple Bath, 2012)
Sonic experiments with multitrack synthetic sustained tones, harmonics, frequencies and modulations created with an analogue modular synthesizer system and handmade electronics.
Objects #1
(CD, Kukuruku Recordings, 2010)
A continuous and long free improvised music piece, recorded during performance at 'Six d.o.g.s' in Athens, January 2010.
Handmade automatic motor sound generators, amplified objects and live electronics.
Infant
(CD, Absurd, 2007)
First released recording launching a series of compositions and improvisations made strictly with toy instruments and musical toys.
Hacked, modified or plain, these instruments define the aesthetics and structure of this album. The result is a dreamy soundscape of bewitched childhood memories and obscure electronica.
COLLABORATIONS
Break Down
SAKOSTAMU
(CS, Brachliegen Tapes, 2023)
Brachliegen are proud to present BREAK DOWN, the first release from SAKOSTAMU, the collaborative project of Vasilis Sakkos (Casual Nun) and Tasos Stamou. The pair layer chanting vocal groans, wandering bells, weaving drones and haunting plucked strings through a four track tape recorder; this ritualised process builds a rich textual palette, burrowing deep to create a den of sonic transcendence, a place where shared cultural histories and individual wounds are broken down and confronted.
AMAN!!! #2
Thodoris Ziarkas/Tasos Stamou
(CS, Sucata Tapes, Discrepant, 2019)
AMAN!!! #2 is picking it up from the previous cassette album at Sucata Tapes, “AMAN!!!” duo delivers another series of live tracks, this time recorded in Athens and London. The duo of Tasos Stamou and Thodoris Ziarkas bring back the improvisational element to the old Greek rebetiko style and expand it towards other avant-garde musical genres.
AMAN!!!
Thodoris Ziarkas/Tasos Stamou
(CS, Sucata Tapes, Discrepant, 2018)
‘AMAN!!!’ explores the borders of improvisation in the context of Greek rebetiko and other styles of the South East Mediterranean.
The project reflects both musicians' interest about reinterpreting traditional music in a contemporary, non-sterilized form; abstract prepared strings improvisations between bouzouki and guitar (Thodoris Ziarkas) blend back-and-forth with original old songs of the '30s and '40s discography.
Whenever
Tasos Stamou/Alan Wilkinson
(CS, Ikuisuus, 2018)
Free improvised music duo with saxophonist/clarinetist Alan Wilkinson.
Reeds and handmade electronics, digital horn and vintage synths, recorded live at ‘Flimflam’ concert series, Ryan’s Bar, London, October 8th 2018.
London Taximi
Mike Cooper & Tasos Stamou
(CS, Coherent States, 2017)
Two long tracks recorded live during two London gigs with the lap steel guitarist and experimentalist Mike Cooper.
Mantra Gora
Adrian Northover & Tasos Stamou
(CD, Linear Obsessional Recordings, 2014)
Studio recordings with the free improvised music saxophonist/ 'Remote Viewers' member Adrian Northover. Lo-fi musique concrete sounds and saxophone extravaganza, concluding to a series of improvised pieces with a film-music touch.
The Car Boot Sales
Adam Bohman & Tasos Stamou
(CD, Kukuruku Recordings, 2014)
First round of home and live recordings with legendary DIY instruments free improviser Adam Bohman. Both musicians are improvising with recycled objects and gudgets.
Tasos Stamou & Ilan Manouach
(CD, Absurd, 2010)
Collaboration with Greek experimental saxophonist Ilan Manouach. Studio and live recordings.
Mediated Meditations
Adam_is & Tasos Stamou
(CD, Kukuruku Recordings, 2009)
Mediated Meditations is a collaborative project exploring sustained organized sounds and transcendental, pseudo-ritual music.