Today's
guest can be considered one of the unsung heroes of the Greek
Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal scene. She isn't a musician or involved with
a band. Today's guest runs a kick-ass promotions company bringing the
finest Sludge, Stoner and Doom Metal bands to perform in Greece.
She's
done a superb job ever since starting – Smoke The Fuzz – a promotions company based in Greece. Smoke The Fuzz is
fast becoming widely respected within the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal
community and it's mainly down to the sheer enthusiasm, tireless hard
work of Elina Kemanidi, co-founder and general manger of Smoke The
Fuzz.
Elina
is currently busy preparing – SMOKE THE FUZZ FESTIVAL – FALL OF
DOOM EDITION – which is taking place on Sept 17th 2016.
I wanted to catch up with Elina for a while now and she's kindly
agreed to do this epic interview. So sit back, light up and smoke
your finest fuzz ….
Hi
Elina. How are things with you today. Thanks for doing this
interview.
Hi
there ! I’m exhausted and excited as hell ! Thanks for having me.
You're
mainly involved with promoting bands in your country of Greece. How
did you become involved with that.
It
literally happened overnight ! When I had my first show (May 2013), I
didn’t even have any intention of being a professional promoter or
anything, didn’t even have the slightest idea of how this thing was
done, that show was supposed to be a one-time kind of thing. I was
drunk with a friend, listening to and talking about a band we were
addicted to at the time and about how many promoters we had literally
begged to have them in Greece, with no luck. So, we were like “Hey,
why don’t we invite them ourselves?”. And, just like that, we
texted the band directly on their Facebook page. As crazy fans,
nothing more, nothing less. Never even expected a reply, but there it
was ! And we arranged two shows.
You
co-founded and manage promotions company called Smoke The Fuzz. How
did that come about. What made you decide to run a promotions
company.
What
happened after that first show was INSANE..!! I got unbelievably
great feedback, word of mouth had bands mail me instead of the other
way ‘round ! Things happened faster than fast ! Never in my wildest
dreams could I imagine what was going to follow..! I mean, I had an
amazing time with my first band, but I thought that was it. Instead,
mails kept coming and I started booking one show after the other, so
this had to be handled professionally. And just like that, right
there, right then, as cheesy as it might sound, I felt I was meant to
do this.
I
can take a wild guess why you called your company Smoke The Fuzz. But
for our readers who cannot figure out why. Can you explain the reason
for that name.
Haha,
I don’t know what your guess might be, but there was no particular
reason, at least not in the sense that I deliberately called it that
to relate it to something specific. I was just lying in my bed,
taking a trip down memory lane (as I very often do), back to the most
amazing shows I’d been in my life as a fan.. And just like that, I
realized that my most intense memories of them all were about the
Fuzz and the Smoke. So there it was.. Smoke the Fuzz..!!
Was
it a hard process when you started Smoke The Fuzz. What were you
hardest challenges creating Smoke The Fuzz.
When
I started this, I didn’t have the slightest idea about professional
promoting and, after the first show, I was on my own, one person
alone. I had to grow, I had to learn, I had to work harder than hard
with absolutely no help or guidance from anyone, not even about the
simplest things. Quite the opposite actually, I was dealt with very
harsh, unfair and –more often than not- dirty competition, even
though I’d never done anything to provoke it – quite the contrary
in fact, still to this very moment, I’ve never even made an offer
to a band that has been here before with another promoter, even
though a number of bands have asked me that themselves. I had to get
better and better to live up to people’s expectations.
I
even googled what terms I had to use in a formal offer – haha ! I
built everything literally from scratch, I left everything aside,
sacrificed everything. You know, I’m a lawyer, had been studying
hard my whole life for that and, I’m telling you, it wasn’t easy.
My family and I never had a life of (financial) ease, I had to work
while I was studying. I never had any capital whatsoever. My life
path had a whole different direction and took a wild turn, I had to
re-evaluate goals, priorities, everything. I had to risk everything.
And I mean.. literally everything. Yes, it was a long, hard road
(still is), but it was the BEST thing that ever happened to me ! And
the satisfaction that comes from all that hard work and the pride in
what you do..? Utterly priceless..!!
What
were the first gigs you promoted with Smoke The Fuzz.
Lonely
Kamel, SUMA, Naam, Monkey3 (my first sold out show) !
Did
you learn any important lessons from the first gigs that you
promoted.
That
I should be very careful about who I trust, I learned that the hard
way. But more importantly, I learned that hard work, passion and
honesty are always rewarded.
It
seems that Smoke The Fuzz has gone from strength to strength over the
past couple of years. Has it surprised you how things have turned
out.
As
said above, never in my wildest dreams could I ever imagine this..!
Smoke the Fuzz grew fast and here we are, selling out 1.200-capacity
venues and now.. a huge festival with the (in my opinion) best bands
of the scene..! People supported and embraced it since day one (ah..
my amazing Fuzzsmokers, nothing would be possible without them..!),
bands loved it..!
I
think all these people saw something different in Smoke the Fuzz, saw
the truth and honesty in all this, saw the fan in me above all, which
I keep being to this very moment and have no intention of changing. I
think this is what the scene was sort of lacking, being a fan above
being a business(wo)man, without lacking in professionalism. I just
try to keep it true, simple and honest. And I only work with people I
trust and people that share my passion for this – and part of my
craziness maybe haha..! So, big thumbs-up to the Smoke the Fuzz crew,
as well. They work really hard behind the scenes, to keep everyone
pleased.
Smoke
the Fuzz is my life, not my job. I’m just living the dream and for
that, I’m eternally grateful to all those people out there, each
and every one of them, to my bands for choosing me (‘cause I know
it’s a choice), for trusting me and filling me with their love and
unbelievable words, to all the amazing Fuzzsmokers out there, who are
always present, actively supporting this every single time. I’m the
luckiest girl in the world.
You're
about to put on the music festival – Smoke The Fuzz – Fall Of
Doom Edition in September. Can you tell our readers more about that.
Which bands are appearing.
Yes
!!! Damn hard to believe..!! I have Yob-Bongzilla-Dopethrone-Sons of
Otis-Black Cobra-Suma-Love Sex Machine for the 1st
edition (“Fall of Doom”) of the Smoke the Fuzz fest, happening on
Saturday, September 17th
at Gagarin205 Live Music Space – 2nd
edition to be announced soon..!
I
personally picked each and every one of these bands, been a crazy fan
of theirs since like forever..!
This
monster of a line-up had been just a wild fantasy of mine for the
past year – still haven’t realized I made it happen..! That took
a LOT of work, countless sleepless nights, tons of stress.. Some of
those bands, I’m bringing over from the other side of the Atlantic
for an exclusive one-off, so I guess you realize how unique this
line-up is..! People’s reactions are INSANE, I have people from all
over the world texting me non-stop since the announcement..! No words
could ever describe my feelings. I’m utterly blown away, crying
like a baby all day long – yes, I’m crazy like that…
I
see you have YOB appearing. I know you're a massive fan of YOB. Was
that a major coup for you personally getting a band of YOB's stature
to appear on the festival.
I
first had YOB on October 10th,
2014 for a club show during that European tour of theirs and it was
UNREAL. I’d tried really really hard to book them, I remember I was
crazy enough to directly text Mike, I wanted YOB so bad..! Never
thought I’d make it, never even expected a reply from him..! But
there it was..!! I remember shaking while reading it..
So…
“massive fan of YOB”..? I respectfully believe that’s an
understatement. No words whatsoever could EVER describe how I feel
about YOB. No words. YOB is out of this world. What they do on stage?
They ‘re not humans, I believe they ‘re from another planet, no
human could do THAT. How they are off stage? That should be an
inspiration to every human being. I remember picking them up from the
airport the first time. As soon as they landed and I saw them, I
couldn’t move. My knees were shaking, my voice was trembling. I
approached them, went for a handshake, Mike hugged me tight and said
“Elina, I’m Mike, thanks for having us”. That was it. My heart
had stopped.
Seriously,
I’m falling short. I think closest to what I feel about them is the
word “AWE” and it still is an understatement. YOB inspires me
every single day of my life. YOB teaches me things. YOB makes me
wanna be a better person. YOB has healed all my wounds and is still
doing that. YOB has always been there through my darkest and
brightest days, through the toughest and the most amazing moments.
YOB has changed my whole perspective on life, has opened my third
eye.
My
big YOB chest tattoo is the result of all that. YOB is a deeply
spiritual, transcendental experience. The music, the lyrics, the
energy, it’s a whole new level. I sobbed during their whole set
last time. And then Catharsis came. Just like their album. That’s
how I felt. YOB is my constant motivation. YOB is and always will be
part of me, they have a whole huge separate place in my heart and in
my soul, they are sitting on the throne of my heart. They have
transformed me completely and I’m eternally grateful to them for
that. Meeting them in person? Sharing times with them? Best
experience of my whole life. I feel unworthy of all that. Them
accepting my invitation for a second time and headlining my
festival..? The word “honor” could never cover it. They chose me.
Nothing more could I ever ask for.
I
could go on for hours and pages after pages about them, so I’ll
just shut up now.
Will
you be doing more festivals such as this in the future. Or does it
depend on time and money.
That’s
the plan, yes. Time is not an issue for me, since this is my life,
Smoke the Fuzz is my 24/7. But as you must know, Greece is going
through a financial nightmare, the crisis is deep and at its very
worst. No one knows what’s gonna happen tomorrow. What I can
promise is that I’ll keep fighting with all my strength to keep
this alive. We all deserve this. And people have embraced, loved and
supported my effort since day one till this very moment. I have
faith.
How
hard is it getting bands to play and perform in Greece. As majority
of bands tend to focus on other countries in Europe. Do you find it
easier to convince bands to come and play in Greece.
Bands
always wanna come and play. Agents..? Hmmm…
Greece
is a nightmare for tour routings, mainly due to its position on the
map (too far south to reach by van during tours, we almost always
have to cover flights) and to the financial situation, among others.
I’ve received a great deal of scepticism, suspiciousness and
distrust in the past, especially since and because of the financial
crisis, capital controls and – I guess – the general image of the
country abroad. But I have to admit it’s been getting better and
better over the past couple of years, so I can say I’ve pretty much
overcome that now. I have agents as permanent partners all over the
world – deeply grateful for that. I guess Smoke the Fuzz’s
feedback has helped.
What
is the Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal scene currently like in Greece.
There's a ton of great bands to check out from Greece – Planet Of
Zeus, Tuber, Nightstalker, Purple Dino to name but a few. Is there an
active scene for bands to play and promoters like yourself to fully
promote.
Oh
yes, the scene is strong, alive and kicking !! We have both amazing
Greek bands to present and crazy fans that keep this whole thing
going !
I
don’t professionally promote (=host headline shows for or be an
agent of) Greek bands by choice. I think they don’t need me for
(headline) shows here in Greece. And I don’t do tours abroad, so I
guess I’m of no use to them. I could never accept having any
financial profit out of them anyway. But I’m more than happy to
promote them in every other sense and way (have them open for bands I
host from abroad, post about them, talk to the right people etc.).
More
and more Greek bands tour abroad (really successfully too) and that’s
something that makes me really happy and proud. So much talent to be
shared ! They more than deserve it.
We
all have a musical journey on what started our lifelong love affair
with Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metal. What were the bands, artists and
albums that got you into those genres of music.
Never
been a fan of tags and genres. Never had a specific musical journey
or “stages of musical evolution” or something… I’ve always
been constantly searching for music anywhere and any way I could find
and hear it. Always been thirsty..! Whatever massages my ears and
soul, I’m up for it !
Do
you have any words of advice for people wanting to start their own
promotions company.
I
still don’t feel I’m a professional (in its “all-business”
sense), so I’m not sure it’s my place to give advice. I’ve
never seen Smoke the Fuzz as a company, but more as a community. I’m
not even the typical promoter (never have been), my story is quite
strange I think – haha ! All I still do is just pick a band that I
love and that has never been to Greece before and send them a sincere
heartfelt e-mail, just adding some necessary formal language, terms
and… numbers to it. Simple as that. I never expect anything or have
any particular goal in mind, other than do my very best for everyone
to be happy and pleased in the end. Just add lots of love, patience,
persistence and a spoonful of craziness to the mix. Don’t forget
the craziness. It makes all the difference.
Elina,
Thanks for doing this interview. All the best with festival. Looks a
killer line-up and keep doing the fantastic work.
Thank
you so much for having me, it’s been a pleasure ! And million
thanks for the nice words, from the bottom of my heart ! Keep Smoking
the Fuzz..!!!
Word by Steve Howe and Elina
Kemanidi
Thanks to Elina for taking the time
out to talk to me. Check out Smoke The Fuzz pages from the links
below.
Links: