Culture Box: September 2012

Lara Eidi (Photograph by Eftihia Liapi)

I first met Lara Eidi at a Scottish Universities International Summer School in Edinburgh in 2006. Her bubbly personality lit every step she took and people were filled with laughter and joy where ever she went. However, late one summer evening, while relaxing beneath a tree on campus, hired guitar in hand, Lara sang and all listening were silent. The echo of her voice and guitar in my mind still gives me goosebumps. Crystal clear, sincere, heartfelt. It was then that I realised that music runs through Lara’s veins. It is not just something she does, but it is a part of her very being, far more than just an intense passion.

Two years later, I met up with Lara again in Edinburgh. She decided to entertain at our favourite pub, Bannermans, with a rendition of “With or without you” by U2, during an open mic night. It was no surprise (not to me, at least) when a talent scout approached her with a business card and told her that she’ll organise a gig for Lara.

I’ve since been watching my gifted friend bloom and grow into the true artist I always knew she was. To this day, I don’t know if Lara knows exactly how amazingly talented she really is because music and Lara are one and the same – it’s how it’s always been. Music is something she has always shared with the world.

I simply just had to have an exclusive interview with Lara, the first international artist to be featured on Culture Box.

Here follows the interview:

You have a diverse background. Tell us a bit about your family and upbringing.

Lara Eidi (Photograph by Eftihia Liapi)

Ah. Yes. I have trouble explaining it myself. Well, I’ll give it a go. I was born and raised in Greece. My parents are of Lebanese-Palestinian-Canadian descent. We conversed in three languages simultaneously, not by choice, and often confusing. I soon understood all Lebanese follow their way of speaking by the same means. I went to an international school; all my friends were Greek so I learned Greek there. I imagined myself studying in Scotland. I’ve travelled and have been grateful for the opportunity to do so. I have always seen myself as an outsider, culturally, as I believe we are human beings first before we are a nationality.

When did you start to show an interest in music?

I’ve always been into music. I knew it was something I could identify with as a kid, when all else failed and, as I grew older, something I could create and share. Now I understand how it is an extremely spontaneous art form that can often elevate as much as it can remind us of dark times. I tried following the conservative way of learning music, studying at various music conservatories on and off, but very seldom did very few teachers show me the way to make music as a way of life, not as a job.

Is your family musical at all?

Yes! (smiles) Most members of my family here [in Greece] and abroad are either accomplished or amateur musicians.

What instruments can you play, and when and where did you learn to play each?

I played classical piano since the age of eight and enrolled in a conservatory (Odeo Kodaly) where I was part of an amazing vocal children’s choir, which opened my eyes to the possibilities of vocal harmony (Mr. Patseas). I taught myself guitar, jamming with friends at 14. I stopped playing piano around 19 years old, due to tendonitis, and started taking up lessons again only recently. All lessons took place in Greece.

Lara Eidi (Photograph by Eftihia Liapi)

Have you had any voice training? You sound like an angel!

I trained with amazing voice teachers; two different, but very positive human beings (Karen Solomon and Nina Kaloutsa). Karen, I had known a long time and trained with her for about three years on and off. She helped me discover my voice again after a period of not being able to sing for three years, as I had nodules on my vocal chords and refused to see a doctor. When I did, and had an operation, she helped me regain my ‘speaking’, as well as singing. Nina was responsible afterwards for finding the power in my voice and giving me a final nudge out the door, so to speak.

What qualifications do you have and why did you choose to study in that/those directions?

This is a question which I try to avoid, as I only really have a few! (laughs) I have a Degree in English Literature and Journalism because, besides music, I am an avid fan of the literary arts and love writing, especially literature for children. Roald Dahl was my hero growing up and, often times, my comfort zone. I have a few qualifications from the London College of Music, but most of the qualifications I have in the arts are not written on paper. Having said that, a musician’s and writer’s role, I feel, is to continuously learn and never stop, by practicing and playing, not by means of certificates on a wall.

Lara Eidi (Photograph by Eftihia Liapi)

Was it always your plan to be a professional musician/singer/songwriter? If not, what made you change your mind to pursue a career in music?

I honestly can’t say that I’ve chosen music as a career, as I’ve seen that nowadays musicians’ careers (successful ones at least) last for a period of three years maximum. I always struggled with the idea of taking up music professionally because I feel that I can’t handle the whole ego thing with musicians (who can?), as well as the competition. I never actually saw myself as a singer-songwriter; more as a singer who can play the piano well enough to write some songs, and with a lot to say. I feel that inspiration to document everything down musically led to my decision, therefore, to choose music as a life path.

I believe you have performed both as a solo artist and as a band member. Which do you prefer? How are the dynamics different, if at all?

It’s a give and take situation, both ways. In a band, you learn to put your personal feelings aside so that they can correlate harmoniously within a group. You offer some part of your soul through your instrument, but not all. As a solo artist, you do the same actually, but this time, it’s tougher because you have to continuously lead and inspire people, i.e. your band mates. I think, although I reject the idea of being called a leader because I like to learn from people who are better musicians than me, I prefer the second, as it gives me more room to create and more artistic space.

You’ve performed in pubs and at big festivals – which do you prefer and why?

Well, I have a long way to go (laughs), but er, so far I think I prefer small audiences. They’re nicer and you can see who you’re playing for. Of course, festivals aren’t so bad either. As long as I can play music big enough to fill all that standing space!

Lara Eidi (Photograph by Eftihia Liapi)

When did you start writing your own songs?

Two years ago.

What inspires/influences your music?

Everything.

What do you believe people can gain/learn through music?

I hope, that at the point I’m at, I can give some calm to people in this crisis - I don’t feel like an entertainer, I feel like a person who wants to sing and play for people who will listen and feel relaxed, as well as happy. Music for me is supposed to drown out the noise in our heads.

What is it about music, no matter what genre, that makes it so universal?

When words fail, music takes shape and form and speaks for us. (Yes, I know Shelley, Byron and Keats ALL said that. But it’s so true!)

What do you think it is about music that can move you from one emotion to the next?

Its spontaneity - it’s so many things all at once: sound, shape, tonal frequency, rhythm, harmony - they all follow our emotions, which change invariably. And I guess the more complex the emotions, the more complex the music.

Any other achievements/comments you would like to add?

Hmm, well, I hope to go back to Scotland one day and my dream is to play at the Festival. And I hope to be able to play one day for Palestine. Music has the power to transcend borders on a grand scale; people just don’t see it yet.

Upcoming gigs?

Yep, I’ll be playing with my current band mates at a beautiful location in Plaka, Athens, called Vrysaki. After that, I believe I’ll be singing at a festival for charity in Beirut. Anything I can get my hands on, anything I believe in.