Yorgos Dousos is a Greek Multi-instrumentalist and composer based in Athens, Greece. Working in and creating music for many years, Dousos is a founding member of several projects, including prog-folk group Darnakes and the Balkan jazz band Local Heroes. Despite initially cultivating a background in classical flute and Greek folk clarinet, his immersion in a wide range of disciplines and genres inspired Dousos to create a sound straddling the line between classical and experimental.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Yorgos about the new release, dream collabs, earliest music memories, and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Let’s get this hot topic out of the way from the start. What are your feelings on AI as a creative tool? Have you experimented with it? Or released any projects where it was used?

At this point, I’m actually quite excited to see where AI is going. I don’t feel threatened by it, because I believe human connection is something people will always search for. It’s a powerful tool, and I’m already using it as a writing assistant, in performances, or sometimes just for fun.

On the other hand, the real problems with AI are really problems of capitalism. When machines were first created, people believed humans would soon work less and have better lives. But in reality, things didn’t turn out that way. Work changed — sometimes it became less physical, but often it feels like we’re working more, or at least constantly connected to work. Life is different, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it became easier. The same thing will probably apply with AI as well: it has the potential to help us, but whether it truly improves our lives depends on how we, as a society, choose to use it.

What is your earliest music memory? Or a moment that sticks out for motivating you to write, record, and release music?

When I was a child, I began taking flute lessons. One evening, on my way home from a lesson, I stopped on the hill where we lived, sat on a small stone wall, and played for a while. The echo returning from the opposite hill gave me a feeling that awakened my love for sound and for the beauty of melody.

A few years later, my connection to music deepened when we formed the band Darnakes. I remember after some of our first concerts, lying in bed filled with ecstatic joy, unable to fall asleep until morning.

Even though I had been writing music from a very young age, it took me years to release anything. It only happened during Covid, when I felt the need to reconnect with something I had lost due to the absence of live performances. After that first release (Serres), I felt something beautiful — and since then, I’ve wanted more.

What’s up with this latest release? Any cool back-stories, bloopers, or notable inspirations?

The single is called Lupus, after the autoimmune disease. The full album, coming out on October 29th, is titled Love Under Pain Upon Suffering — which also forms the acronym LUPUS. With this music, I wanted to acknowledge people who live with ongoing struggles. They don’t need pity or sadness from others, but rather recognition of their strength and small gestures of support that can help make life a little easier. I dedicate this album to the most special person in my life, my wife Marisha, who I am grateful to have as my life partner…

What keeps you going, especially on the “bad” days?

On bad days, I try to keep things simple. I avoid doing or even thinking about anything artistic or existential, because it will only get poisoned by the bad energy and bring more negative thoughts and feelings.

I’m certain now that good days always return — maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day, but statistically they always come. So I try not to worry too much. And of course, junk food and trash TV always help 🙂

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why?

Honestly, I think I’d be too intimidated to collaborate (if it were somehow possible) with some of my all-time favorite artists, like Miles Davis or J.P. Rampal — though I would certainly love to meet them!

But I feel a strong connection with Björk, and I would love to collaborate with her. I remember studying the way she sings vowels and punctuates words, and then trying to imitate that expressiveness with my instruments.

I know it’s hard…but favorite song (or artist) of all time? Or Top 3 if you can’t choose one…?

The truth is, the album I’ve listened to most in my life is Buena Vista Social Club. It brings something so beautiful and pure! Every time you hear it, it feels like you’re right there in the room with them, enjoying every note as they play.

Where’s the best place to connect with you?

Mostly in the digital world. But I’m also planning shows in Greece over the coming months, in some of the bigger cities. Next year, I’d like to extend into the Balkans — and maybe further into Europe.

I appreciate your time. Any last thoughts before signing off?

Life is too short not to play as beautifully as we can, every time we’re given the chance.