New Year brings folk noir acoustic storytelling

As soon as 2023 arrives, the island’s cultural agenda will resume entertaining the crowds. Two local artists will come together on January 3 to present a unique event, filled with folk-noir acoustic storytelling. An intimate set will take place at Prozak Kafeneio welcoming the artists Echo Wants Her Voice Back, Eleni Skarpari’s stage name, accompanied by the renowned and talented jazz guitarist and composer Odysseas Toumazou.

Echo Wants Her Voice Back is a Cypriot-born, London-based singer-songwriter, and actress, often described as folk noir with blues rock influences who weaves Greek myth storytelling in her songs. Echo’s distinctive voice, notable stage presence and compelling lyrics have been praised by music publications such as Songwriting Magazine, drawing comparisons to Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Bjork and Lorde.

She self-released a debut EP Heart Of Stone in 2015 and went on to perform at the 2016 South by Southwest Festival. Fast forward to today, she has released a series of singles and music videos on her YouTube channel, alongside a constant stream of updates on her social media. Her song Mermaids was released in 2019 in collaboration with Paris-based rapper/producer The Spectre and was picked up by BBC Introducing as part of its radio showcase.

She has performed live on BBC Radio and in March, Echo Wants Her Voice Back represented Cyprus and performed at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters in London, as part of the annual Commonwealth Day reception, attended by The Prince of Wales.

Currently, the artist is collaborating on an album with singer/songwriter Edmund Jeffery and will be performing at the renewed Jazz club in Soho, Pizza Express Live Dean Street on January 17. Before that, however, she will return to her hometown of Nicosia for an early New-Year performance, in her distinctive folk noir style.

Adding to the evening’s melodies on guitar will be Toumazou, a graduate of Jazz Guitar from the Conservatory of Amsterdam. Since his studies in 2011, Odysseas has toured Europe with many different bands, worked in India at True School of Music as Head of the Guitar Department and performed in concert halls, prestigious jazz clubs and in major jazz festivals. He also collaborated with many Fusion groups and worked as an arranger and bandleader with India’s finest Classical music artists. Moving to Cyprus in 2017 allowed him to dedicate his time to teaching and performing, while he is currently composing his own music and recording his debut album.

Folk Noir Acoustic Storytelling

With Echo Wants Her Voice Back and Odysseas Toumazou. January 3. Prozak Kafeneio, Nicosia. 8.30pm. €6. Tel: 22-104244