Rising Stars: ANDRY (interview)
Andry Lagiou, an Athens-born vocal powerhouse, describes herself as “the missing link between Ronnie James Dio and Christina Aguilera.” A former runner-up on The Voice of Greece and the frontwoman of The Harps, she has made a significant mark on the international metal scene as ‘ANDRY’.
Last year, she released her highly anticipated debut album “Skies” through her own record label, Baby Mistress Records. The first single from the album, also titled “Skies,” is now available on all streaming platforms via The Orchard. In addition, she successfully completed a tour across Europe with the band Kings of Thrash.
We had a chat with the Blues Metal Queen herself to find out more!
What was the inspiration behind your single “Skies”? Can you share the story or emotions that fuelled this track?
The inspiration behind the song is based on pure emotions of constant abuse and the freedom that will be brought , and the truth that will shine.
Either it has to do with female abuse child abuse internal confusion or even slavery . I had in mind, basically, female abuse and financial-political deception , rich and poor and how it evolves throughout the years. Good thing with my songs is that people can interpret their own story and meaning, and relate to it. After all when you hear a story each one has a different imagery of what it is .
How did you approach writing and producing the album of the same name? Were there any unique challenges or standout moments during its creation?
During recording an album is always a big challenge cause you are never sure of what you re doing, apart from the basic stuff .I never approach I just put out songs and music that I think fits within the album. I don’t need to combine the same genre because my voice is the glue in between the songs and the correlation stays there , meaning the story is evolving naturally. The list is very important to me . I’ve had suggestions from people not to include a ballad cause it’s a heavy album , well I put two. Black Hole was the most challenging song to retain a balance between metal sound and oriental without sounding like Greek cheap music.
How do you feel your music has evolved from your previous works to “Skies”? Were there any significant changes in your style or approach?
Yes of course, LOVES STRIKES DOVES is classic rock with prog elements and a hard rock feel. I decided that since there’s no genre online to describe what I do I should jump into Metal. Literally I tried to fit in .And it worked.
Is there a particular song on the “Skies” album that holds a special place in your heart? Why?
Olive Tree . Very poetic only I know what it means .Still stays with me so I will give you one hint .. Olive Trees produce oil half of the year, the other half there’s drought .
You just finished a tour with Kings Of Thrash – what was that like? Any cool tour stories?!
OMG yes many Cool stories it was very successful and even though i was the only woman performer and in between thrashers people welcomed my music with so much warmth.
I created a skull prop ”JANE’ before the show in the UK while the others had their soundcheck , me and Dave had facemasks in the tour bus (I impose that it’s my rule haha )
Tour bus got on fire in England. Johan, my manager was driving me with his car behind the tour bus cause I couldn’t always sleep in there . Thank God cause we used the car to fit in our equipment to play Athens , tour bus left us to drive to Milan . I mean this adventure who could forget ?! I had this crazy idea to create a Jackson photoshooting for Dave , Marko , Mick and Chaz it was really fun.
Blaze Bayley was at two of my shows, the guys took photos with him and at some point when I was backstage with my white robe on and he approached and said to me ”nice Horns ” I said thanks. haha.
The Sold outs of course were amazing to see so many people screaming ! crazy stories on the road, happy and sad but overall a great big journey.
Starting your own record label, Baby Mistress Records, is a bold move! What motivated you to take this step, and what has the journey been like so far?
Baby Mistress is literally my baby, my investment, my pain, my glory. Johan was fishing for record labels two years ago , and I was waiting for over a year for results. He didn’t want to tell me what was wrong , until one day I was fed up and I required to know. Long story short I got rejected by 23 Labels… every single one you can imagine in the business. what surprised me was the comments on my sound, song writing , even my clothes ..and then after my small depression I woke up and said to myself ” think about this ..it’s all MEN Ceos” and A&R and I’m the Mistress of the Night. Then I created my own label and now they can all sit on my middle finger. Skies is N31 in the FINAL ALBUM CHARTS USA of 2024. This is all my pain and my glory.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced running Baby Mistress Records, and how have you overcome them?
Nothing went wrong, it’s growing slowly. It’s now amongst the big ones regarding the charts .
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are trying to navigate the industry and make a name for themselves?
Be unique no matter what they say . Don’t succumb, they think only for themselves . Stay true to what you like.
What’s next for you and Baby Mistress Records? Any exciting projects or collaborations on the horizon that you can share with us?
Yes a dream came true for me , writing songs with Ron Wasserman the mastermind behind the songs of POWER RANGERS and all the nickelodeon hits. That’s how
I started loving Metal anyway because of Ron .
Where can we find you online?
https://www.facebook.com/adriana.lagiou
https://www.instagram.com/andrybluesmetalqueen
https://www.youtube.com/@ANDRYBLUESMETALQUEEN/videos
VIDEOS: “SKIES” – “BLACK HOLE”
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 15 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 17 December 2024 and is Part 1 of Pete’s best of the year
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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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