Interview by Vassilios Nicolaos Vitsilogiannis
(IG: @vassiliosvitsilogiannis)
Stan (Stratos) Antipariotis is a prominent Greek singer and songwriter born on August 1, 1987, in Athens, Greece. He hails from the picturesque island of Paros, where he began his artistic journey. Stan, widely known by his stage name, first made his mark in the music industry in December 2009 by writing lyrics for the Greek group Vegas, which set the stage for his future success.
In April 2011, he officially debuted as a solo artist with the hit single “An Mou Ftanan Ta Lefta,” released under EMI Music, which garnered significant acclaim and established him as a rising star in the Greek music scene. His subsequent singles, including “Taxidepse Me” and “Kalokairini Drosia,” further solidified his popularity, showcasing his unique blend of pop and contemporary sounds.
Stan’s discography includes several successful albums, such as “STAN” (2012) and “Na Me Eroteftis” (2013), along with numerous chart-topping singles. His dynamic performances and engaging music have earned him a dedicated fan base, both in Greece and internationally, as he continues to tour and collaborate with other artists in the industry.
Tell us a bit about your journey and career so far. How did your musical journey begin and what were the most important steps in your career?
My musical journey began with whether I had enough money, then Nikos Vourliotis heard the song’s demo in the studio and wanted to participate! It was the beginning of a beautiful story with many intense moments!
Beyond the awards, collaborations and platinum records, the love of the people is crucial. Without the sincere love of the audience, nothing I have experienced in the last 13 years of my musical journey would have been possible! So a big thank you to all those people who changed my life with their love.
What is the main genre of music you perform and how would you describe it?
I don’t like to put labels on the music I make and perform! I believe there is no good or bad genre of music, only good and bad songs! In my live performances, besides my own hits, I perform everything. From heavy Laiko and light Laiko genres to pop and dance hits. In general, because I’m also a child who grew up in the 90s, I like to include quite a few hits from that era in my program!
How did your childhood experiences living on Paros Island influence your musical journey? Are there elements from the local culture that are incorporated into your music?
I believe that every person functions like a sponge. So growing up on the island, I had the violin sound very intensely in my ears. I always try to mix today with yesterday and create a new unique sound.
Tell us about some of the important collaborations you have had so far. Who was your favorite collaborator and why?
Having worked with many colleagues in the studio, I can certainly distinguish the sweetness with which Peggy Zina treated me, Sakis Rouvas’ advice about life, and from younger artists I remember their enthusiasm and passion for success through the songs I had written for them! In every situation, I always tried to learn and become better day by day!
What are your biggest plans for the future? Is there something specific you want to achieve or accomplish?
The only thing I wish for every day when I wake up is to have my health and that of my loved ones, and to be able to continue doing what I had dreamed of as a child! To write and sing my songs for the audience!
Can you tell us about the establishment of your record company? What is the purpose of the company?
Icon Music is a business move I made to gain autonomy without any second thoughts about the material I would release, and secondly to be able to help, as someone once helped me, young people, to chase their dreams and conquer the top with me!
Who are the artists that influenced you and how is this influence evident in your music?
My influences are varied, from Vasilis Karras, Antonis Vardis, Yiannis Parios, Giorgos Alkaios and generally that whole generation of singers, foreign pop & rock scene mixed with today’s sounds.
How do you see your role as an artist in today’s music scene? What uniqueness do you bring to the field?
I want to believe that I belong to the right side of the history of artists. The one that, when leaving life someday, will leave a small stone behind for the next generations to listen to, have fun with, fall in love and dream with my songs.
What advice would you give to young artists who want to follow in your footsteps?
Not to follow in my footsteps. To make their own, unique steps and chart their own path. Each of us is special. Only in this way will they be able to stand out from the crowd. With their uniqueness!
How was your experience as an actor in Sotiris Tsafoulias’ TV series “Eteros Ego”?
It was a novel, a very beautiful experience for me as I was already a big fan of Sotiris and the series. So, when Sotiris made me the offer, I didn’t have any difficulty deciding whether to do it!
What is the best way to combine your career with your personal life? How do you deal with the challenges that arise from this balance?
When you have the right person in your life who gives you the freedom to be yourself, there is no challenge or imbalance. I am very lucky that in recent years of my life, I found my person and this gives me the freedom to create and entertain people with all my being.
