Marc Ricci and Pierre Zito had a band in the 80’s called “Elégance”. Their first hit single sold for more than one million copies and the success lasted until 1988, when the group was dissolved. From that moment, Marc and Pierre wrote songs for Phil Barney, Yannick Noah, Marc Lavoine, Chimène Badi,… At the same time, Marc Ricci collaborated on the Hotel Costes compilations which have been going for 10 years, and other projects have included a remix for Madonna, a song for Michael Stipe (REM) and other Hotel Costes guests. Marc Ricci and Pierre Zito have also produced and written the 2 Stephane Pompougnac albums. Here is their first collaboration with Despina Ricci. Despina Ricci, of greek origin, was born and lives in Paris, France and since her childhood, she has sung in Greek, French and even English (especially jazz classics). Though starting as a dancer with several french companies, then actress in many french movies, she has divulged into scriptwriting and directing her own short movies. Now, this complete artist returns to her first passion and, from her collaboration with her partner Marc Ricci and with Pierre Zito, is born « Essi Psefti ». The song is a mix of juggle, dubb and pop.. The remix, called "LIAR", is a mix of lounge and dubb. And it’s just one side of her very special univers. 

 

Katerine Avgoustakis made her singing debut as a member of the band Indiana in 2002, with whom she participated with in the national final to represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with the song "Imitation Love". Indiana failed to make it through the selection's semi-final round. After leaving Indiana, she entered Star Academy in Flanders in 2005. She worked her way to the finale and won the contest and a record contract with Universal Music Belgium. Avgoustakis's debut single "New Day", released in July 2005 in Belgium, peaked at #2 in the Belgian UltraTop 50 chart. "New Day" was written and produced by Regi Penxten & Filip Vandueren, the team behind Milk Inc. Three months later, she received the TMF Flanders award for Best New National Artist for the song. Also the song was certified gold in Belgium. Her self-named debut album Katerine was released on November 14, 2005 in Belgium. The album is to be released in May in the Netherlands. Due the 'unexpected' sudden death of her mother, her second single, Here Come All the Boys, was delayed to be released in October 2005. This is the first single she also released in the Netherlands, that peaked at #89 in the Dutch Mega Singles Top 100. The song is also featured on the hits compilation HitBox, which was released on March 13, 2006, containing hits like Ricky Martin's I Don't Care, Rihanna's If It's Lovin' That You Want and the Michael Jackson cover Say Say Say (Waiting 4 U) by Hi_Tack. In 2006 Katerine was nominated for 3 TMF Awards: Best pop music national, best female artist national and best music video national. She won best pop music and best female artist, the award best musicvideo national was going to Nailpin, a Belgium rock band. Katerine also won the first Belgian pre-selection for Eurosong 2006 on January 8, 2006 with the song "Watch Me Move". The third single from her album Katerine, "Take Me Home", was released on April 4, 2006 in Belgium, with "Watch Me Move" as B-side. The next single "Catfight" was a quick follow-up and both "Take Me Home" and "Catfight" had very strong videos. In 2007, Katerine was asked for the Belgian TV Program "Sterren op het Ijs" (a Belgian version of Stars on Ice), an opportunity she gladly accepted. She even made it to the final, but came in second. After Dean Delannoit, the Winner of 'Idol 2007' of that year. In May 2007, she released "Live Wire", the first single from her upcoming second album and the song's music video was her first 'computer animated' video. A couple of months later she released "Don't Put It on Me" and then she and her Record Label reached a 'hiatus' and wanted to go in different directions which they did. Avgoustakis soon agreed to a new recording contract with Mostiko, which led to the single "Shut Your Mouth", with music different from her normal sounds. The single fared well in the charts charting in its first week at number three in the 'Ultratop 50'. In the following months, she released three more singles: "He's Not Like You", "Upon The Catwalk" (soundtrack from a Belgium tv channel '2BE'"Topmodel") and "Ultrasonic" Ultrasonic even made it in the Canada Dance Charts on the 2nd place! All songs from her new album OVERDRIVE, which will be presented on December 6, 2008 at Versuz discothèque in Hasselt. Avgoustakis and Mostiko have been approached by several international labels over the last months that showed interest in her new album for which negotiations are in progress to release internationally. Avgoustakis said in an interview that an international career "would be fabulous" and that she is "currently negotiating with [...] contact persons in Greece and [that] there have been releases in Spain, South Africa and Poland. [They] also got positive reactions from the Scandinavian countries, Russia and Japan". In a recent interview, Avgoustakis stated that she would like to represent Greece at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. As she is not very well known in Greece, the fact that she is set to submit lyrics for one of Sakis Rouvas's national final songs for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 would introduce her name and talents. A surprise for Katerine in March 2009: for her record company she sung "Ayo Technology" for a children's cd but the song was picked up by radio stations in Poland. Not much later the song was in the Polish top 5 and Katerine has - against her will - her first international hit and also first #1 single.

A total surprise move by Sony since this artist had participated in the Greek X Factor some weeks ago and was voted out of the show last week. Being so new to the music scene, there is not much to say about her.

 

Yiannis Haniotakis, is the composer of the Project "Emigre". Yiannis Created "Emigre" in February 1998 and began sending Demos to record companies throughout Greece. In 2002 his first CD single was released "Epoxes"-("Seasons") [Plus(+)Rec/Universal]. This was a Very Successful Project with many Air Plays on the Radio Stations in Greece and Cyprus and he began concerts throughout Greece. In 2004 his 1st Album was Released "Simera"-("Today") [Plus(+) Rec/Universal] in Collaboration with 2 Great Voices as Guest Stars in 2 Songs, "Marina Skiadaresi" & "Sofia Bossou" and as Lead Singer he Connected with the New Voices of "Dimitra (Savito) Kliropoulou" and "Antrea Leoudi". The Feedback and Enthusiasm was Grand… "Fresh Air"… for the Greek Music Scene. In 2005 " Simera " was Voted by Music Magazines, between the 30 Best Albums of the Year. In 2007 "Emigre" Released Their 2nd Album "Eimaste 1”-("We Are One") [Plus(+)Rec/Universal] in Collaboration with 4 Great Personas of the Greek Record Industry as Guest Stars in 4 Songs. "Stamatis Kraounakis","Lavrentis Maxairitsas", "Kostas Livadas" & "Hro Lexouriti" and for the First time "Yiannis" Connected with the Great Lyrist "Biki Gerothodorou" in 4 songs, as Lead Singer he Connected with the New Voices of "Xara Aggelopoulou","Kyriakos Kougioumtzoglou" and his Basic Half "Antrea Leoudi". "Kokkina Gialia" (Emigre Mix) is in Top 100 for the Past 6 Months now, and it..s Main Theme on Alpha T.v Series "Pira Kokkina Gialia". In December (2007) They Released Their GOLD New Cd Single "Eimaste 1” with MORITZ Casual as the Main Theme on their 2007-08 Campaign and Together they will be Performing throughout Greece and Cyprus. In February (2008) They Released Their Second Edition of ..Eimaste Ena.. which includes The Greek Edition of ..Fairytale Gone Bad.. of ..Sunrise Avenue.. with the Title ..To Telos Htane Kako.. with Lyrics From The Awarded Vicky Gerothodorou. In March (2008) Emigre are At N.1 at IFPI Charts and they Make Their First ..GOLD.. Cd. In 25 of March (2008) Emigre take their 2nd GOLD.. Cd for the New Mix Of ..KOKKINA GIALIA (Emigre Mix).. From Stamati Kraoynaki The Band is now on Tour...

A new group formed by Universal Music, recently launched their first music video but there is actually no information given on the background of the group.

I am a singer/songwriter/composer/dj but i studied as a film director but so far i prefer directing my life (kinda). I am also the founder member and the lead singer of my band called "Santa Fila" (Holy Expectance). The biggest part of greek music and public press call me a poetess but there are some calling me a piece of shit, I think i am caught somewhere in between... I've been working many years as a DJ in the biggest rock clubs of Athens, I have also played in a DJ set with Alan McGee (Death Disco Parties) whom I appreciate dearly...As a musician myself I have released 3 CDs from my personal work that i've been honored to be appreciated by my supporters. I have written several songs for famous and unfamous greek artists, some songs became great hits, some not and some been ignored though i love them. I have played with my band in concerts as a support to famous bands such as ARCHIVE, MADRUGADA and many others... One of the biggest highlights of my life and of my entire career was the wildest dream of my childhood that finally came true. Working together with Dirk Polak of the almigthy and legendary post punk/new wave dutch band MECANO. I've been honored to made a cover with him of the anthem song of the 80's "LINKS" which will be featured on my NEW upcoming CD.  I AM AGAINST VIOLENCE, because i know how violent i can be, i attack... only to kill... I am sick of the music industry and its vile mechanisms to exploit the artists. I love nightlife and hunging out with myself... I am a lone ave(ra)nger... I drink too much, I think too much and i don't know which one is worst. I am sensetive, compassive and generally a good person, but my friends tell me that i'm even better when i am bad. I always see the glass half-empty... Sometimes i wish i would never open my eyes in the morning and be dead (i need a gun so badly!), but I am still alive because of some of you out there ...you give me the strength to carry on (and throw the gun away)...thanks for the support guys. MUSIC IS A WEAPON (it may be the gun from before) :) AND I WILL BLOW MY MIND WITH IT... for now