Interview by Vassilios Nicolaos Vitsilogiannis

(IG: @vassiliosvitsilogiannis)

Yiannis Vardis is a Greek singer and songwriter known for blending contemporary laiko and entehno elements with a melodic, emotional style. Born in Athens in 1974, he began writing songs at a young age and studied piano, which helped shape his musical identity. He first appeared on record through work connected to his father, Antonis Vardis, before releasing his own material and gaining strong popularity with younger audiences. Over the years, he has built a steady career with albums, singles and live performances that highlight his warm voice and personal lyrics. His music often centers on love, loss and reflection, making him a familiar name in modern Greek popular music. His new song is “Den To Perimena” (“I Didn’t Expect It”), music by Kyriakos Papadopoulos, lyrics by Vassilis Giannopoulos and released by Panik Platinum.

Listen to the new song

What was your original inspiration for pursuing a career in singing and how did you start your career?

It wasn’t really a matter of inspiration—it was a matter of love. I have loved music since I was a child. Growing up, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do within music. At some point, I realized that I could sing anything I heard—I could reproduce it with my voice. So, I went to my father and asked him to audition me, listen to my voice, give me his opinion and tell me if I was good enough. If he believed in me, I wanted him to take me by his side and teach me how to be a singer.

What moment do you consider the turning point in your musical journey?

I think the turning point was my father’s “yes.” After that came my first participation in the song “Tha Se Perimeno” (“I Will Wait for You”), and then the first song I recorded on my own, Isos (“Maybe”). That song was incredibly important to me and marked a significant moment in my career.

You’ve collaborated with many artists. Is there one collaboration that stands out and why?

I’ve had wonderful collaborations and each one has been different. Working with George Dalaras was truly unique. Just being by his side is a unique experience—you learn so much from him. Collaborating with Katsimiha Brothers and my father was a lifelong dream. My collaboration with Vasilis Karras was equally important. They have all been incredibly valuable experiences.

What genre of music has influenced you the most in your development as a singer?

From a young age, I listened to many different genres of music. The one that attracted me the most was rock, especially rock ballads. As I got older, I also started listening to heavy metal bands. But no matter the genre, I was always searching for beautiful melodies.

What process do you follow when creating a new song or choosing your repertoire?

There’s no specific process. The important thing is finding a great song. Thankfully, my father left me many wonderful unreleased songs and the truth is that it’s not always easy—when you have so many great songs to choose from, picking just one can be difficult. Very often, our choices are influenced by our state of mind and emotions at that particular time and that plays a significant role.

How do you see the evolution of the Greek music industry today compared to previous years?

I don’t think things are in a good place for Greek music today. There are still talented composers and some very good singers. However, I believe many composers have had to compromise to remain relevant because, unfortunately, radio has lowered its standards considerably. It’s become difficult to hear truly great songs on major stations that follow very specific airplay formats.

As I mentioned, there are good singers, but very few who truly give you what we call heart. Also, I believe there’s a major creative gap in our industry when it comes to genuinely great songs.

Have you faced difficulties during your career and how did you overcome them?

Of course I have. I’ve experienced shut microphones, issues over billing on the marquee and disagreements over performance time—who goes on stage first, or whether someone has to cut twenty seconds from their set so the headliner isn’t inconvenienced. Unfortunately, these things happen in our profession, no matter who you are.

Because I didn’t like that environment, I chose to step away from the big stages and large music venues. Instead, I decided to create my own projects, surrounded by people I choose and who choose to work with me. In short, I left those venues because I was looking for a healthier working environment.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from working with other artists?

Collaborations in our profession are like they are in any other job or in society in general. You meet wonderful people and also you meet the others. Through work, you learn to be careful. You gain experience that helps you surround yourself with the right people and the best collaborators possible.

This profession teaches you to be patient, to stay focused on your goals and to trust your own abilities.

Are there any artists or lyricists you’d like to collaborate with in the future?

There are outstanding composers I’ve already worked with and would love to collaborate with again, such as Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Giorgos Moukidis, Vasilis Gavriilidis, Vasilis Giannopoulos and Olga Vlachopoulou.

There are also lyricists I haven’t had the chance to work with yet, such as Nikos Gritsis and Nikos Moraitis.

And of course, there are artists I’ve never collaborated with but deeply admire. Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved and admired Orfeas Peridis. To my ears and to my soul, his music is healing, if I may put it that way.

And I won’t hide the fact that I would love to collaborate with my father again—even if only on a recording. Whenever we’re creating music together, it’s something profoundly liberating for me.

What message would you like to give to young people who dream of a music career?

I’m not sure I want to give advice, but I would certainly like to make a wish.

I wish for a better future for Greek music—a future filled with beautiful songs, meaningful lyrics and beautiful voices. A future without AI, but with heart and soul.