Local Heritage with Stevie R

Music

London-based producer Stevie R, real name Stavros Potamitis, has forged his own unique sound that pays homage to his Greek roots. The “Rebetronica” sound – named by friend Anna Maria Harokopou – fuses Rebetiko folk music with analog electronics, which he uses both as a sample source and as a reference point for completely new compositions. The result is powerful and fresh, a creative blend of the old and the new.

He continues to push these creative boundaries through his output, collaborations and his labels, Inside Out Records, of which he is the founder, and on Chapter 24, for whom he does A&R. The latter imprint released his last mini album, a two-part release that features collaborations with Parisinos and Anna Maria X, both of which further explore the signature Rebetronica sound that he’s coined.

What is Rebetiko [Ρεμπέτικο]?

Rebetiko grew out of the music of the displaced Greeks of Asia Minor, who thrived in the poor and struggling neighbourhoods of Piraeus, a port city in the region of Attica (now Athens). This new music genre was born as a form of artistic expression for the Lumpenproletariat of post-war Greece in the first part of the 20th Century.

The roots of the genre originate in Asia Minor (with Smyrna as the main focus point). In his book “The History of Rebetiko”, Nikos Sideris states: “Rebetiko was born in Asia Minor. Rebetiko with bouzouki was born in Piraeus”.

Follow Stevie R, Inside Out Records and Chapter 24. Buy Oropos.

LISTEN

Marika Papagika - Smyrneiko Minore (1919)

The Rebetiko sound is a proud part of Greek heritage. The great violinist Giagkos Alexiou (aka Giovanikas) is widely credited as the original creator for the genre. The first known recording however took place in 1918 in the United States by Marika Papagkika, with ‘Smyrneiko Minore’. From the minimalistic instrumentation to the hauntingly beautiful performance of Marika, I personally feel that this composition is one of the most powerful and raw expressions of the pain that can be inflicted by an unanswered love. Note: Song link claims 1919 but more credible book research says 1918.

Marika Papagika - Smyrneiko Minore (1919)

The Rebetiko sound is a proud part of Greek heritage. The great violinist Giagkos Alexiou (aka Giovanikas) is widely credited as the original creator for the genre. The first known recording however took place in 1918 in the United States by Marika Papagkika, with ‘Smyrneiko Minore’. From the minimalistic instrumentation to the hauntingly beautiful performance of Marika, I personally feel that this composition is one of the most powerful and raw expressions of the pain that can be inflicted by an unanswered love. Note: Song link claims 1919 but more credible book research says 1918.
Unknown Artist - Aponia {1912}

The first time we actually see the word “Rebetiko” appearing on a recording is in 1912 and on the 78 RPM “Aponia”. The song discusses abandonment, and, on a personal note, I absolutely adore the contradicting aesthetics that take place in this recording. The instrumental composition feels rather major (with some dissonant moments), while the lyrics express unbearable pain, a contrast that I enjoy both in music and cinema.
Giwrgos Mpatis - Oi Fylakes Tou Oropou [1934}

Giwrgos Mpatis was one of the first representatives of the Rebetiko genre called ‘Rebetes’. He had great love for music and was playing both the bouzouki and baglamas, classic Greek instruments. This song is about the small town of Oropos and focuses on glorifying the region and its people. This is the song that inspired my record ‘Oropos’, a track that was also elegantly remixed by Kiwi.
A. Kwstis - Stin Ypoga {1930}

A beautiful song written and performed by A. Kwstis (Kwstas Mpezos). It was recorded on 1930 by Tetos Dimitriadis and released on the American “Victor” record label. This song takes us to the darker side of the genre (the genre was heavily associated with outlaw culture), in dark basements where rebetes were frequented and armed confrontation with the police was common.
Unknown Artist - Tis Amynis Ta Paidia {1919-1920}

The original title of this song was ‘O Makedon’ and was written during World War I in a climate of an unofficial civil war in Greece. The song had deeply political meaning and during the stay of the Greek Army in Smyrna, it was used as a second national anthem by the troops. The song is better know in later interpretations with the title ’Tis Amynis ta Paidia’ and certain lyrics were also altered. It was recorded by 1919-20 by the greek band ‘Elliniki Estountiantina’ for the Orfeon record label.
Unknown Artist - Misirlou {1919-1920}

Misirlou is a folk song from the Eastern Mediterranean Region with its roots in the Ottoman Empire. The original author of the song is not known but Greek, Arabic and Jewish musicians were playing it by the 1920s. The earliest recording of the song however is in a 1927 Greek Rebetiko composition. The song became famous worldwide later on when it was used as the soundtrack of Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’. I recorded a couple of versions of my own, including one on my debut album Melt in 2019.