Working hard to define a signature sound, Katrin has hit on an amalgamation of sounds that recalls Radiohead, PJ Harvey and even Bjork, while remaining wholly original.
By Brad Stier
As anyone who watches the news knows, Greece is in the middle of an economic crisis that, if not resolved, threatens the entire European union. In listening to Katrin The Thrill’s upcoming release, Evil Eye Charm, due out September 10, one can hear the swirling discontent of that nation.
Katerina Panopoulou has been creating music since she was a teenager. Throughout her young adulthood, she traveled and studied musical styles, all while enjoying the alternative music explosion of the late ’90s/early ’00s. After a few projects fell through, in 2007, Katerina formed Katrin the Thrill.
Earth Is Calling Us
In 2009, following the catastrophic fires that swept through Greece, Katrin began working on the concept for the Earth Is Calling Us EP. While creating the music, Katrin was buoyed by the need to take action and help the reforestation efforts. In December 2010, Earth Is Calling Us was released as her first solo project. The EP was dedicated to the earth and the environment and part of the proceeds went towards the reforestation of the burned forests of Greece. In January 2012, the first reforestation was successfully completed.
Buttressed by the success of the EP, Katrin began work on her first full length album shortly thereafter. In speaking with her, she describes the process as very different from the recording of the EP.
“With the EP, we only worked with one producer and our vision was singular. We wanted to talk about our Earth and make people aware of how badly it had been broken by the fires, Katrin said.“ “When we started work on the full length, we wanted to experiment with new sounds and we worked with many producers. Many people have had their hands on the songs and have helped shape them into what they are now.”
Katrin alluded to an issue with her record label that led to the album being shelved for a while. Turning to her fans, she took to Indiegogo, a crowd-sourcing platform, she collected the necessary funds to finish the production of Evil Eye Charm and she is now ready to release it to the world.
“While the economic crisis seems, to the outside world, to be our biggest issue, the psychological crisis the Greek people are going through as a result is worse. Greek people at the moment are depressed and don’t see any future,” Katrin shared.
Evil Eye Charm
Evil Eye Charm gives a clear voice and sound to these concerns. It is a boiling stew of discontent and heartache, but a hopeful heart pulses throughout the album, particularly on the song, “If You Believe In Dreams.”
One of the highlights is the track “Leave Without Me,” with its driving beat and direct, almost confrontational lyrics. “Losing” reminds me of the best of Concrete Blonde, heartbreak wrapped in a tough, swirling production. When the song wraps, there’s no doubt that she will heal, but the question remains as to the cost.
Katrin plans on a Greek tour for the fall, and she is quite excited about an invitation to perform in New York City this winter. As with everything else, her nation’s economy is dictating much of what is available to the band. In speaking with her, her ambition and passion is clear. She wants to get her music into as many hands as possible, not so much for money, but to shine a light on what it is like for her generation and her country.
But that’s where we step in; just like her other fans did with the Indiegogo campaign. Purchase this exquisite new voice on September 10th and enjoy her dark, dramatic gem of an album, Evil Eye Charm.
