Get ready to dive into the radical world of The Aqua Barons one of the most enthusiastic, and passionate bands to hit the Surf Rock scene. With a sound as powerful as a crashing wave and a spirit as unbreakable as a stick in the sand, this band knows how to rock a beach party. Their journey from a trio to an energized 4-piece combo, their unique vintage style, and their relentless dedication to keep up despite the odds is a story worth telling. Let’s join them for a dose of sun, sand, and sensational music!
The Genesis of The Aqua Barons
“We were trying to form a surf band in 2009. Only when our former drummer, Elias Athanasopoulos (he passed away in 2020. RIP) joined the band in January 2010, the band came to life and we immediately started gigging. We started as a trio but in 2016 we added a second guitar since we like more this 4-piece combo. “
Taking a Peek into The Aqua Barons’ Musical Kaleidoscope
“It’s mostly instrumental guitar-based music from yesteryear as heard in movies and TV series like Batman ( with Adam West ), Ennio Morricone’s scores for spaghetti westerns, John Barry’s 007 theme or the soundtrack of Pulp-Fiction…if that helps!“
Riding the Waves of Musical Inspiration
“The Ventures, the Shadows, Takeshi Terauchi, Dick Dale and all the 60’s west coast first wave Surf scene, Link Wray, the Space Agency…oh, and add some garage to taste, like the Seeds, 13th-Floor Elevators, etc.“
Tackling Challenges with a Frosty Pint in Hand!
“Finding money and time to chase our goals! Venues and Festivals to play aren’t easy either. Bad taste too! Everything in our path is a challenge! We overcome it by complaining and drinking a few beers during rehearsals! “
Vintage Gear: The Aqua Barons’ Secret Weapon
“We’re fond of our vintage equipment. Fenders, Mosrites, Reverb units, Fuzz boxes you name it! We like to record also in a vintage way, mostly live with a few mics. Many things are added afterward, like vintage keys, voices, other percussion, oscillations, and in the new album hopefully some tenor sax too by yours truly! “
The Muse behind the Music
“The nature and the sounds of it! The sea, the waves, the desert, the birds…everything. Traveling and meeting new people…… Last but not least, our loved ones! “
Staying Motivated Amidst Creative Blocks
“By meditating! Not any of this yoga stuff! Just sticking to the goal. To keep on doing what we love. Making music and presenting it to the people. In our case, it’s the obstacles that pushed us further all these years.“
Balance of Art and Commerce
“Oh, terribly! We could use some help in that, but if that is at the expense of the music, we rather leave it as it is.“
Dream Collaborations?
“Difficult question! I guess Arthur Alexander, but I don’t think I could contribute anything. I would rather sit back and enjoy the mastermind at work. But he’s gone, so…“
Other Artistic Influences
“No book comes to mind. But we fancy directors like Robert Wise, Sam Peckinpah, Roger Corman, George Romero, James Cameron, Aki Kaurismaki, and such.“
New Waves on the Horizon
“We’re in the process of recording our 3rd album, but we’re really slow. Hopefully, we’ll get it done in Summer when our schedule is more free. You might see a single in Bandcamp till then. We’ll see.“
Coming to a Beach Near You!
“We’ll go in Finland in April. We had also Sardinia on the schedule to play with the Hangees and the Space Agency, but due to some unexpected incidents, we had to cancel for this year. Around Greece in the summer and working on some big plans for next year! Generally, our wish is to travel more and we’re open to suggestions and invitations. “
With a thirst for vintage equipment and a knack for creating music that feels like it was plucked straight from classic films like Batman and Pulp-Fiction, this band’s unique style is a refreshing breath of stuff! As they navigate the complexities of balancing artistry with commercial success and face the challenges of the music industry head-on, their steadfast dedication to their craft remains unwavering. With a new album on the horizon and potential touring plans, we can’t wait to see where their musical journey takes them next. We wish them a fantastic musical ride ahead and hope they continue to mesmerize us with their distinctive sound.
Featured Image by Hercules Kousoulos
I heard them last year in Ierapetra and they were awesome!