Mihalis Violaris

Michalis Violaris is a Greek-Cypriot singer. From an early age he showed an interest in singing which led him to study music at the National Conservatory of Music in Larnaca, Cyprus. He then moved to Athens, Greece where he started performing in various musical stages. There he met the noted composer and lyricist Giannis Spanos and the two started collaborating, first in the album "Aspra Karavia" and then on the A' and B' New Wave Anthologies in 1967 and 1968 respectively. Michalis Violaris therefore became involved in the New Wave musical movement, which was a new sound characterized by simple orchestrations and a distinct honesty in the lyrics. More albums and songs followed, such as "Thalassino Trifilli" by Odiseas Elitis and Linou Kokotou, Mimis Plessa's "An Voulitho Na S' Arnitho", "Ta Matia Sou Katerinio" and "Mia Xanthia Ap' Ti Mitilini" with music by Giorgos Kontogiorgou as well as various other songs by Giorgos Krimizakis. A special place in Michalis Violaris' discography is reserved for his Cypriot songs, which spanned many years, starting from the album "Kipriotika tou Violari" in 1970 until 1996's "Kairon Kai Iroon Mnimi".