Echonomist was born and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece. At early age, Petros’ family got him a basic synthesizer (GEM) and hired a music teacher to teach him traditional Greek music in order to entertain his family on Sundays. Much to his family’s dismay, the plan didn’t seem as interesting to Petros as creating weird sounds with his small harmonium and recording his first tracks. Soon, Petros finished his first downtempo album and formed his first music project called “IνΦο”. Performing live with his band, consisting of live musicians and a vocalist, they covered a wide spectrum of electronic downtempo music, releasing 3 studio albums until 2009, gaining some considerable fame–mainly in the Greek electronic music scene.
Always on the lookout for new sounds and music, he soon began to DJ, discovering the full range of electronic dance music. Petros had fallen under the spell of stateside artists and labels like Maurizio, Carl Craig, Black Dog, Underground Resistance, and Echocord–to name a few. At this point he started his own solo project Echonomist, releasing his first tracks on labels such as Resopal, Upon You Records, Time Has Changed, and Dessous Recordings.
Today, more than ever, Echonomist is driven by his passion for musical creativity. He has evolved into a professional DJ, producer, and live performer. While his style may vary somewhere between underground Tech House and Techno, he never compromises on quality. A fact that found him a place amongst the most prolific producers worldwide. His elaborate live performances have been met with international acclaim.
As a DJ, Echonomist brings the same qualities to the table. Comfortably combining music from a wide range, Petros is a dynamic and interactive DJ who blends rolling basslines, harmonic synths, and energetic percussions to craft an infectious and atmospheric sound. It’s all about devotion to the sound and a restless quest for the groove that will make everyone move. We had a cool chat with the Greek producer about his upcoming EP on microCastle, his night ‘Jungle Sundays’ and more ! Enjoy
WWD : Hi Petros, thanks for chatting with us today, where in the world are you and what is on your to-do list this week?
Likewise! Just arrived from my New York trip and I am leaving today for my London residency at Studio17 / Tape Club.
Then Saturday I am heading to Crete island for a gig at Chania and then Sunday it’s my weekly residency “Jungle Sundays” at my hometown, Thessaloniki!
WWD: Tell us, what does a studio day look like for you?
I like to work in the studio during the day, I am not a night guy. So I am trying to be there around 10am everyday during the week. Then usually I am doing a break at noon for lunch and my personal training and get back at the studio in the afternoon. The break helps a lot while you are “cleaning” your ears and head from what you were listening before.
WWD: Tell us more about your story. How did you discover electronic music and what led you down the path of wanting to be a producer and Dj?
A big influence of mine was a Greek project named “Stereo Nova”. They made me want to create my own music and my own sounds. That’s why my first introduction into the music industry was with my band that I created in 2004 called “Ινφο”! We released 3 albums with this project till 2009. Then I started to DJ and beat matching, and I came with my own project as “Echonomist” producing Dub techno, Techno and House music.
WWD : How has living in Greece shaped your sound and career and who are some up and coming Greek artists to look out for?
I like to live in Greece and travel all around, but I don’t think that living in Greece shaped my sound. I mean everything I am and what I experience has shaped my sound, but my influences in Techno and House music come mostly from outside of Greece. I used to think that moving to Berlin or somewhere in Central Europe would help my career to grow but I think that nowadays you just need to produce good music, focus on your target and good things will come up. Some Greek artists that I think are upcoming are NTEIBINT, Atsou, DJ Angelo & Future of Matter.
WWD: You have a unique artist name? Is there a story behind it and how did you end up settling on Echonomist?
I studied economics and it was the best way to use my diploma (laughs). I was also a big fan of Dub techno and Dub music at this time where they use a lot of Echo, especially Space Echo.
WWD: You have a new EP out now on microCastle — ‘Strymonas’, tell us a bit about the EP and how it showcases your individualities. And which track has been your favourite to play and why?
The EP includes 4 tracks, and I am happy that the label and I came up with this selection as I have the same diversity in my music production as I do in my DJ sets. It’s a mixture of Afro, Detroit Techno and Electro while it covers a big scale of my musical spectrum. My favorite and most played track is “Grace”, it has a really unique energy and works really well on the dance floor! 🙂
WWD: We’re very excited to share the full premiere of ‘November Clouds’ from your microCastle EP. Can you share with us where your head was at as you were putting the track together? Walk us through the production process on it.
“November Clouds” and “Grace” were made in one week, while I had a Roland Jupiter 4 at the studio and I was trying to make the best use of it with this little time. Unfortunately there was no midi, so I had to play everything live and record directly into my computer. All the tracks came up while I was jamming with my synths. Usually I record everything in different channels and then I edit the parts, sometimes two tracks come from one jamming session!
WWD: Is that a typical process for you or is every track a different journey in terms of the creative process?
Most of the time yes, but sometimes it takes some more time to create or to mix down a track. Usually the tracks that I finished in one day are the best tracks of mine.
WWD: The release is also available on vinyl, what are your feelings on pressing vinyl in this age of rapidly consumed music? Do you think it affects the perception of your music in any way?
Vinyl gives another dimension to the release, it makes it real! It is always special for me when the label decides to release my music on vinyl and I think for the people it’s special also. But I think at the end if the music is good it doesn’t matter if it’s on vinyl or not. Some people decide if they will play one track only when it’s released on vinyl. I think this perception is wrong as you are losing a big amount of quality music that the labels just didn’t have the money to release it on vinyl.
WWD: The release is quite raw and full of character, while still being esoteric in theme, definitely an outside the box release, what made microCastle the ideal home for this EP?
I have been a big follower of microCastle for many years now and I was in contact for some time with Mitch, the owner of the label. Mitch was listening to my unreleased tracks and decided to come to this selection, I was happy that we had the same idea for the diversity of the EP. I was 100% sure that he will handle everything with care as all of the past releases have the same quality regarding the music, the mastering and the artwork.
WWD: What’s a piece of gear you could always use in one of your tracks, because you never get bored of it?
I guess that Casio Cz500, Roland Juno Alpha and Prophet 6 will always be the heart of my studio.
WWD: Most artists go through periods of creative blocks, what do you do to help break through these moments?
Oh, that’s really tough! Sometimes you go at the studio and come back with 2 tracks just in one day and other days you are just strangling to do something but you are just stuck in a loop or in a sound for hours. I think that the best thing to do when you are out of ideas is just to let it go, relax and it will come back! Sometimes it works just listening to podcasts or music in general, searching for new tutorials and studio tricks, make a walk through the city or in nature. But worry about it, it won’t help you get through the moments of inspiration.
WWD: We hear you just visited New York for some gigs, was that your first time there and how was it?
Yes, it was my first time there and I was happy that I had the chance to be invited by these promoters. They took care of everything and the party was really good! Can’t wait to go back soon.
WWD: You’re one of Greece’s most well known and also busiest DJs, tell us about one of your main residences, Jungle Sundays. What is the concept behind the night?
“Jungle Sundays” is my weekly residency to one of the most beautiful venues in Greece, called Aigli Geni Hamam! It’s actually a Hamam of the 16th century and it has a really special vibe. I was a good friend with one of the owners before the venue opened. From the first Sunday it was open I started doing parties there and by that time till now we have done more than 150 events together in 4 years!
WWD: There are a lot of factors which affect the perception of an artist other than his music these days, social media for one, how much emphasis do you put on stuff like this?
I am trying to be as updated as I can, sometimes I have a friend who is helping me. But I am focusing more on my music than looking cool at my social media. It’s really sad though that promoters are checking artists social media and the “likes” they have to see which DJs are going to book for their events.
WWD: What are your thoughts on the current state of the industry and what are the biggest challenges you currently face as an artist?
I am always trying to focus on the good things that are happening around me and in the music industry also! It’s easy to complain about the scene but this makes you stay behind. My biggest challenge is to continue being creative and surprise my followers with new ideas.
WWD : Do people take the politics of electronic music too seriously?
Some people yes, it’s their choice, I am just not good at politics. haha
WWD : What is the one piece of advice you give now that you wished you could have gotten five or ten years ago?
To be good at politics lol.
20 years ago I will advise me not to study economics and do what I knew I wanted to do from the start, produce music and maybe go to a music production university. I don’t say that this would dramatically change my music career but at least I would not lose 4 years of my life by studying something completely useless for me.
10 years ago I would advice to myself to not follow the labels and try to make the music that inspires me and comes out of me without thinking anything if it’s good or not. I spent a lot of time trying to make music because I wanted to release on one specific label and at the end I realized I just didn’t fit.
WWD : Looking back over your discography, which one of your very first tracks still puts a smile on your face when you listen to it now, and why?
I think “Hysteria” the first track that i did with Black Soda vocals will always give a smile to my face! I found her through soundcloud, nobody knew her at this time and the “Hysteria” vocals were a free acappella at her account. I downloaded and made the track in one evening, then I told her that I did this track with her voice and that it will be released on vinyl and that’s how we started working together! I think that story will always remind me why I love music. 🙂
WWD : Current favorite track and why?
Jenia Tarsol & Jinga – Back to life (Original)
I was playing it a lot before it was released and it has a really special place in my heart.
WWD : Apart from music, what makes you happiest?
Swimming, training and having time with my lovely one.
WWD: What’s coming up later this year, anything you can tell us about?
Releases on Vinyl on Demand (VOD), Blue Shadow, Watergate Records for Whomadewho mix CD and something really big that I can’t announce now.
WWD : Cheers for speaking to us today Petros !
Thank you and take care!