10 Questions with Dislike Tonality
- New Artist Spotlight
- 20 hours ago
- 4 min read
In this week's 10 Questions we get to know Dislike Tonality, an alt-rock artist from Greece
Their song Monkey Dream is currently featured on the NAS Spotify playlists
1. Tell us a little about where you are from.
My name is Marios Moutsos and I'm currently living in Athens, Greece. I was born in Durres, Albania and at a very young age (I believe I was 4 years old) me and my family immigrated to Greece in search of a better life.
After lots of difficulties I'm finally at a point in my life where music is my main focus. I write and record songs, I'm a guitar teacher and occasionally I work as a session musician as well.
2. What inspired Dislike Tonality to start playing and making music?
I still remember the first time I listened to Nirvana, I was 7 years old and it blew my mind! From that point on I knew I wanted to be a musician and write songs. Also, the fact that in my family there were lots of musicians or just music lovers helped me a lot. I always wanted to express my self threw this art form.
3. Who are Dislike Tonality's biggest musical influences?
I'm a strong believer of the fact that if you want to copy always copy from the best. So, I'm a big fan of The Beatles, Nirvana and Radiohead. Also classical music always spoke to me and experimental music as well. I believe that all these are apparent in my style of music. It's definitely Alternative Rock maybe indie with a grungy flavor. I like minimalistic approach on music so my songs may appear very simple and most of then are 3 minutes long. I have this belief that if you want to send a message be simple and to the point about it.
Classical music always spoke to me and experimental music as well. I believe that all these are apparent in my style of music.
4. What are your goals in the music industry or as an artist?
I want to reach a point where all my day routine is about music. I want to reach and touch people with my music. Always be creative and driven and never give up on my quest for this until my last breath. Also performing my songs live as much as possible always appealed to me.
5. Tell us about your creative process.
When I write music my main focus is to get in the zone with no distractions. I never give it too much thought and try to be as quick and efficient as possible. Most of the times I have no clue what I'm going to write about. Melodies and lyrics usually just come to me and I'm so grateful for that because in the past I had a 3 years writers block period. Finally, most of the times I'll start with a guitar riff or a cool chord progression.
6. What is your all-time favorite song by another artist and why?
That's a difficult question. I'd go with Radiohead's Paranoid android since it is so sophisticated arty and influential.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
I usually say to others musicians to play with the cards they have, meaning that things will never be perfect so don't quit and take action. The best advice I got is that music is like a beautiful being that you give and give and at some point, when she decides, music starts giving you back.
The best advice I got is that music is like a beautiful being that you give and give and at some point, when she decides, music starts giving you back.
8. What is your proudest accomplishment?
The fact that I'm 40 years old and still in love and driven by this art form. All the other things just seem superficial. I have played live in front of hundreds of people and sometimes only 3. One thing though that I'm really proud of is my new solo album called 'Until Empathy' which will be released this autumn.
9. What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
I once played live in front of an unexpectedly big crowd and I got so nervous that I lost my voice. I was singing as if i had swallowed a tremolo effect. Somewhere out there is a recording of that performance although I tried my best to destroy any evidence.
10. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
My lowest point was 14 years ago when I had serious mental health issue episode. I was diagnosed schizophrenic- bi polar. I struggled to recover and as a result music was affected as well. I couldn't write or even play music for 3 years. My highest point was the fact that i found the strength to finally recover and found the magic of creating and performing music again.