This week in Xclusive!

Greek-Belgian singer Katerine Avgoustakis was left reeling after being disqualified from Greece’s National Final line-up last week after her entry “Enjoy the Day” was leaked on to You Tube ahead of the televised show!

In a press conference aired on Greek channel Star TV she revealed her shock at the news and sadness at being left out of next month’s final and ultimately missing out on the opportunity to represent Greece in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. Katerine also dispelled rumours that she would be submitting and performing an alternative track. However despite Avgoustakis’ obvious disappointment the singer has found her silver lining and will be releasing “Enjoy the Day” along with four additional remixes on I-Tunes.

The Greek National Final will take place on 12th March with eight acts in contention for the ticket to Oslo!

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Maro Litra is keeping it upbeat with her follow up single to the Gold selling release ‘Kaneis Lathos’! The new track ‘Elevator Love’ - a grenglish cocktail -is keeping with the pop vibe though slightly more electro infused than we’re used to with Maro. One thing is for sure its intended to keep your dancing shoes firmly on!
“Elevator Love” is the brain-child of musician Tony Cottura, lyricist Faidona Samsidi and producer Giannis Doxas! It’s also worth mentioning that Cottura’s previous credits include collaborations with the Backstreet Boys, N-Sync and his current project candidate - hip-hop mogul Puff Daddy (I still can’t get my head round the P-Diddy name change)! So how, you might be wandering, did our Maro grab the attentions of Mr. Cottura - well it was all down to the wonders of You Tube and her performance at the Mad Awards!

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And Finally…

More details on Helena Paparizou’s 2010 comeback! With a new album scheduled for spring delving into the pop, rock, ethnic and dance genres - we will be waiting with bated breath to hear what music magic Helena will be unleashing on to our eager ears! The first single set to hit the airwaves is Pigene Me Sto Hthes (Bring me to yesterday)!

That’s all for now! Check out next week’s column for more music mayhem! x Mwah

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Tune In to Katerina’s Live DJ Shows:
‘Young & Connected - Scandalous!’ Every Wednesday, 8-10pm on LGR 103.3fm

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: Email: katsmusiq@gmail.com  Website: www.myspace.com/katzmusic

 Published in the Parikiaki Newspaper 18th February 2010

This week in Xclusive!

Cyprus Eurovision 2010 Entry Chosen!

Last Sunday the Cypriot public had their say and selected Cyprus’s song for Eurovision! I’m happy to say that this year, the winning song “Life Looks Better In Spring” was deservedly so, in both musicianship and performance. The composition written by Nasos Lambrianides and Melis Kostantinou was an engaging acoustic rock ballad performed by Welshman Jon Lilygreen and was accompanied by the band The Islanders; comprising of musicians from Cyprus, Wales, Norway and Scotland.

Described as “a simple ballad, telling the emotions we have all at some point in our lives experienced - the rejection, the betrayal, the loneliness, the end. And the hope…” “Life Looks Better In Spring” proved victorious in both the public and judges vote even beating to the post, Eurovision favourite Konstandinou Christoforou who finished 2nd!

Ahead of the national final, singer/guitarist Jon Lilygreen spoke of his hopes of representing Cyprus at this years contest: “It would be an honour to represent Cyprus this year - Nasos and Melis have written a fantastic track that really could Win Eurovision. The guys helped make my dreams come true when they invited me to perform ‘life looks better in spring’ - I won’t let them down - and I’ll be singing for Cyprus with all my heart!”

Jon Lilygreen and The Islanders will perform “Life Looks Better in Spring” in the second half of the second semi-final on 27th May in hosting country Norway.

                                                                            Liliygreen live at Cyprus National Finals

And Finally…

It’s been an eventful week for pop-star Peter Andre, not to mention emotional; with revelations of ex-wife’s Jordan’s ‘sudden’ Las Vegas wedding to celebrity big brother winner Alex Reid, that interview by the rather tactless Kay Burley and continuous questions about everything other than his own projects… This is a shame as on the music front Andre is going from strength to strength; his Revelation comeback tour kicks off this month with pit-stops across the UK many dates of which have already sold out. The tour will see Peter performing live with his band, and fans will be treated to tracks from his new album as well his previous hits. The huge Michael Jackson fan will also be paying homage to MJ by dedicating a section of the show to his musical icon and incorporating a dance sequence put together by one of the late singers own choreographers.

Also talking Andre; new album ‘Unconditional’ Love Songs, released in time for Valentines, entered the top ten album charts, not to mention a venture into the fragrance market with his own branded perfume - proving very popular with the ladies. It’s great to see things are looking up for the likeable and talented Cypriot -Aussie! For more information on Peter Andre and his Revelations Tour visit: www.peterandre.com  

That’s all for now! Check out next week’s column for more music mayhem! x Mwah

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Tune In to Katerina’s Live DJ Shows:
‘Young & Connected - Scandalous!’ Every Wednesday, 8-10pm on LGR 103.3fm & The Drive Time Show - Tuesdays 4-6pm!

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: Email: katsmusiq@gmail.com Website: www.myspace.com/katzmusic

Published in the Parikiaki Newspaper 11th February 2010

Breaking NEWS!!!

2009 proved to be an amazing year for Live Greek music, with some of the biggest names in the Greek music scene crossing the shores to perform Live in London; Hatziyannis, Vissi, Plourtarhos, Mpasis and Vertis to name but a few! The question on the lips of all us live music junkies out there, (including me!) was whether 2010 could offer us an ‘OPA OPA’ that could even come close to our 09 predecessor? Well if the news of a certain fabulous male, talent-show success story, coming to London next month is anything to go by I’m feeling pretty optimistic! I’m sure many of our readers will be thrilled to hear that none other than THANOS PETRELLIS will be treating us to a night of pure pop magic at the HMV FORUM - KENTISH TOWN on Sunday 28th March courtesy of Prive Productions! The talented vocalist has dominated the airwaves ever since he reached the top 3 in Greece’s Reality show Fame Story of 2003! With three hit albums under his belt (not including his ‘live’ and ‘greatest hits’ releases), a successful working partnership with virtuoso producer Foivos and an ever-growing fanbase Thanos Petrellis is definitely one not to be missed! Can’t wait!!!

You can hear the new single ‘Filotimo’ by Thanos Petrellis as well as all the latest music Xclusives on my LGR radio shows; Scandalous & Drive Time Tuesdays!

EUROVISION: Cyprus 2010

It’s that time of year again for Cyprus to select their representative for the Eurovision Song Contest with the LIVE National Final (NF) taking place this Sunday 7th February - televised on CyBc (7.15pm, local time). So who will be singing for Cyprus in 2010? The NF line up includes established artist, Konstantinos Christoforou as well as London Cypriot hopeful, Nicole Paparistodemou performing a composition by successful songwriter Mike Connaris! This year it will not only be down the Cypriot public but also for the first time, 50% of the vote will be attributed to a judging panel. Here are the ten songs vying for the top spot and the chance to make it to Oslo for the Contest:

1. “ANGEL” Konstantinos Christoforou - Zenon Zintilis
2. “I ‘M GONNA BE …” Christos Philippou / Anthi Pashi - Marios Melekkis
3. “LIFE LOOKS BETTER IN SPRING” Nasos Labrianidis / Nasos Labrianidis - Konstantinou Melis
4. “GOODBYE”- Hovig Demirjian
5. “RHAPSODY” Liana Varnavidou / Eleni Antoniou
6. “YOU GOTTA GO” Anthie Pashi
7. “ISLAND OF LOVE” Constantinos Kontozis
8. “PLAY” Miglena Staneva
9. “WAITING” Christodoulos Charalambides / Andreas Economides
10. “LIKE A WOMAN” Mike Connaris

2010 Eurovision hopeful Christoforou!

Good luck to all the entries and good luck to Cyprus! May the best song win!

And Finally…

As well as unearthing the latest goings-on and music news of today’s celebrity elite XCLUSIVE prides itself on promoting the stars of tomorrow! Tune in to my radio show ‘Scandalous’ on LGR 103.3fm this Wednesday 10th February (8-10pm) for a special one 2 one interview with up and coming singer Kyri Georgiou! What has this young & talented vocalist been up to since his involvement in The Cypriot Collection CD back in 2008? All will be revealed!

Kyri will be Live on Scandalous! Feb. 10th!

That’s all for now! Check out next week’s column for more music mayhem! x Mwah
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Check out Katerina’s Live DJ Shows:
‘Young & Connected - Scandalous!’ Every Wednesday, 8-10pm on LGR 103.3fm & The Drive Time Show - Tuesdays 4-6pm!

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: Email: katsmusiq@gmail.com  Website: www.myspace.com/katzmusic

 Published in the Parikiaki Newspaper 4th February 2010

This week, Xclusive brings you the latest new music releases!

Hot Tip in Music!

One artist tipped for big things in 2010 is half Greek/ half Welsh singer-songwriter ‘Marina & the Diamonds’! Born Marina Diamandis, this up and coming performer, based in London, is expected to create waves this year with her fusion of catchy, thought-provoking yet cheeky style; from keyboard-based ballads to more up-tempo new wave-inspired songs, layered with a healthy dose on on-trend electro pop(ness)!

If you’re thinking ‘just another typical wannabe popstar’ then you’d be mistaken with comparisons already being made to the unique eccentricness of 80’s predecessor Kate Bush. You would also be forgiven to think that the ‘Diamond’ part of her stage name alludes to her band when in fact it is her fans who “are the Diamonds”, as Marina clarifies on her MySpace page (though perhaps it is also a reference to her very Greek surname!).

“Marina & the Diamonds” may be a virtual newcomer to the mainstream music scene but on the live circuit, Marina has already notched up some great slots with her full band accompaniment, including appearances at last years ‘festival big-daddy’ Glastonbury as well as Reading and Leeds, performing songs “Hollywood” and “I Am Not A Robot”.

Marina and co are currently preparing to hit the road on their first UK tour next month before closing the show on the 23rd February at London’s Bush Hall . For full tour dates and more info check out the bands MySpace page: www.myspace.com/marinaandthediamonds

The debut album “The Family Jewels” by Marina & The Diamonds is released on 15th February!

New Greek Music Releases!

Popular Greek Singer Natasa Theodoridou lends her vocals to a Giorgos Theophanous composition, with lyrics by Thanou Papanikolaou for the new track “Kyklos” (Circle). Already riding high in Greece’s radio playlist, Natasa compounds her new single’s inevitable success with a video clip directed by Dimitri Silvestrou.

Also more news on the latest Eli Kokkinou collaboration with midas-touch producer Foivos! Having joined his new label and with an upcoming album on the cards albeit still in the recording stage, we can placate our anticipation with the release of a brand new single “Ontos”! Kokkinou rides the pop/hip-hop vibe for her latest release and even shares air-time with rappers Ypohthonio for the track!

Another Foivos protégé is busy preparing a new single release; Thanos Petrellis returns to the music scene after a brief hiatus with love song “Filotimo”!

You can catch all the latest music Xclusives on my Radio shows on LGR 103.3fm. That’s all for now! Check out next week’s column for more music mayhem! x Mwah

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Check out Katerina’s Live DJ Shows:

‘Young & Connected - Scandalous!’ Every Wednesday, 8-10pm on LGR 103.3fm & The Drive Time Show - Tuesdays 4-6pm!

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: Email: katsmusiq@gmail.com  Website: www.myspace.com/katzmusic

 [Published in the Parikiaki Newspaper 28th January 2010]

This week in Xclusive!

Kostas Martakis is celebrating a successful 2nd album as sales hit Gold status! His latest release entitled ‘Pio Konta,’ after the first single, has been gaining momentum since its initial release in November 2009 and looks set to cement the 25 year old singer’s place in Greek pop music! The album, his first with Universal Music Greece, is jam packed with fast-paced uplifting tracks (Pio Konta) and infectious melodies (I’m Loving You - Ayapi Mou (o-o-o) that will have you heading straight for the dance floor! It’s also great to hear a voice that sounds equally good when singing Greek and English promising future international crossover potential! Add that to the slick production courtesy of a host of international producers including Swedish duo Holter & Erixson (who collaborated with Kostas on five of the eleven songs on the album) as well as songwriting credits from the likes of Giorgos Papadopoulos, Vasilis Vlahakis, Hristodoulos Siganos and Valentino to name a few… In a nutshell ‘Pio Konta’ is a fun, melodic flirtatious Modern Greek pop album with substance and gets the XCLUSIVE RECOMMENDS stamp of approval! Could Kostas be the next Sakis in the making? I think so!

Giorgos Mazwnakis has kicked off 2010 with a busy start as he prepares for his tour in Athens at the music venue ‘Anodo’. This residency premieres on Friday 22nd January and boasts a supporting guest slot showcasing the vocal talents of Greek Xfactor winner (Season 1) Louka Giorka!

And Finally…

American Singer Beyonce may be the woman of the moment in the international music scene but pretty soon she will have to put her alter ego Sasha Fierce on time-out, as her former Destiny’s Child bandmates lay claim to a share of her stage! The successful RnB three piece, (Ms Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland & Michelle), have contractual obligations to fulfil this year and will be reuniting to record and release a new album! Let’s hope these independent ladies can reignite the musical magic that shot them to stardom!

You can catch all the latest music Xclusives on my Radio shows on LGR 103.3fm. That’s all for now! Check out next week’s column for more music mayhem! x Mwah
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Check out Katerina’s Live DJ Shows:
‘Young & Connected - Scandalous!‘ Every Wednesday, 8-10pm on LGR 103.3fm & The Drive Time Show - Tuesdays 4-6pm!

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: Email: katsmusiq@gmail.com Website: www.myspace.com/katzmusic

[Published in the Parikiaki Newspaper 14th January 2010]

Happy New Year to all our Readers! As 2010 commences check out the latest entertainment XCLUSIVES to look forward to this year!

There are high hopes for a new Helena Paprizou album on the cards for 2010 after the re-issue of ‘Vrisko To Logo Na Zo’ failed to materialise last year. As well as a collection of brand new material set to feature on what will be the singer’s fifth studio album, fans will no doubt be hoping the new CD will also include the highly anticipated duets and songs premiered at Paparizou’s MAD Secret Concert, held in May 2009. In light of the seasonal festivities Helena reconnected with her fans leaving her own personal message on a music website: “Please accept my warmest wishes for… an amazing New Year full of love, health and prosperity and, of course, a lot of beautiful music.” We look forward to hearing it Helena!

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Greek Singer Nino could soon be doing a ‘Sakis’ and turning his hand to a little TV presenting for 2010! With news of “Greek Idol” set to debut on Greek TV channel Alpha, no reality talent show would be complete without a star presenter and according to press reports Nino is favourite to fill those shoes!

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Now for a little International Music News:
Michael Jackson’s musical legacy lives on and continues to intrigue- a new song apparently entitled Another Day was leaked onto the internet this week. The 1 minute 30 second soundbite was uploaded onto a Jackson fansite and is a collaboration with fellow musician and rocker Lenny Kravitz. Following the leak Kravitz confirmed it was a genuine recording which he had written and produced, however it was an unfinished version and he did not know how it had found its way onto the internet - his own copy he assurred press and fans was “locked up in a vault since we recorded it”. Speaking about his music session with Jackson, Kravitz said it was “one of the most amazing musical experiences”.
Prior to his untimely death, Michael Jackson is said to have recorded new material with a host of artists including R. Kelly, Ne-Yo and Will.I.Am. It is still unclear whether fans will ever get to hear the music that was intended for the ‘King of Pop’s comeback album and receive a full release.

And finally… High profile American producer Timberland returns this New Year with new album “Shock Value II”, and guest singers are a plenty in his latest musical project including the likes of Nelly Fertardo, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry. The Perry-Timberland collaboration “If We Ever Meet Again” is tipped to be the hit of the album!

That’s all for now! More Music Xclusives next week! x Mwah

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Check out Katerina’s Live DJ Shows: ‘Young & Connected - Scandalous!’ Every Wednesday, 8-10pm on LGR 103.3fm & The Drive Time Show - Tuesdays 4-6pm!

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: Email: katsmusiq@gmail.com  Website: www.myspace.com/katzmusic

[Published in the Parikiaki Newspaper 7th January 2010]

After all the turkey dinners, mulled wine and mince pies its time for another instalment of the latest Entertainment XCLUSIVES, kicking off with a little essential movie news!

Sex & The City fans will be biting there fingernails in anticipation for the movie sequel, set for a Summer 2010 release, as the first official trailer hit the internet just a few days before Christmas! The teaser sees New York’s favourite fashionista-foursome, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha reunited and no doubt getting up to all sorts of mischief in and around New York as well as further a field in dustier plains! Snaps of the girls in present-day scenes as well as a range of looks believed to be flashbacks, are featured in the trailer as well as images of Samantha in a wedding dress! No real spoilers shared though, so I guess we’ll just have to wait until the movie comes out!

What I can tell you, is that there is a nice line-up of celebrity cameos expected in the new feature film, with appearances from Oscar-winner Penelope Cruz, singer/actress Liza Minnelli and Barbara Streisand and teen pop star Miley Cyrus all confirmed as well as speculation that a certain Spice Girl (yep I’m talking Posh!) may crop up on set. Our own ‘fabulous’ Cypriot pop icon Anna Vissi is also rumoured to be seen performing in a piano bar scene in the sequel and has a track appearing on the movie soundtrack! No real surprise there, as leading lady Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw) recently revealed in an interview that she is a huge fan of the singer and has all Anna’s songs on her I-Phone!

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Eli is all go for the New Year!

Eli Kokkinou is no doubt a happy bunny this festive season with so many big plans scheduled for 2010! Fresh from her recent tour of America, Eli is back on home soil in Greece and ready to knuckle down for some hard grafting! Xclusive recently revealed that Eli would be just one of the high-profile artists jumping ship to join successful producer Foivos, at his newly founded record label; and in this week’s update I can reveal that preparations for Kokkinou’s latest CD with Foivos are already under way! Kokkinou will also be performing live, in and around Athens’ in the coming months, with promises of a more ‘rock’ vibe colouring her shows!

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And finally…

Reality Star fever has hit Greece; the Greek X-Factor now in its second season has been a huge success and it looks like another talent show will soon be vying to find the next big thing…Greece’s TV Channel Alpha has officially announced that ‘Greek Idol’ will be one of their new shows for 2010 and singer-songwriter, rocker Nikos Karvelas will be in the driving seat as head judge searching for a star!

That’s all for now! Wishing all our readers a fantastic New Year for 2010!

Next week’s column, my first for 2010, will be back with another dose of exciting entertainment news! Until then… Happy New Year! x Mwah

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Check out Katerina’s Live DJ Shows:  ‘Young & Connected - Scandalous!’ Every Wednesday, 8-10pm & The Drive Time Show - Tuesdays 4-6pm on LGR 103.3fm !

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: Email: katsmusiq@gmail.com  Website: www.myspace.com/katzmusic 

[Published in the Parikiaki Newspaper 31st December 2009]

 In this week’s Christmas Edition of XCLUSIVE!

Why not grab a mince pie, your favourite festive beverage and indulge in this week’s juiciest music morsels!

While most birthday boys and girls head out for a night on the town to celebrate their growing digits, Greek pop icon Anna Vissi decided to share her special day with her fans at the Athinion Arena! Vissi who is currently on tour and was celebrating her 52^nd birthday on December 20^th, was in for a surprise however, when her official fan-club organisers at ‘fANNAtics’ managed to incorporate a secret segment in the show where video messages and birthday wishes from close friends and fans from all over the world were beamed into the arena making the Cypriot superstar just a little blurry eyed! In other Vissi news: Anna will be appearing in this season’s Greek X-factor ~ performing live at the final. The big question is will she be able to entice fellow singer and host of the popular talent show, Sakis Rouvas (aka Mr. Shake It) to join her on stage for a little impromptu sing-song?

The popular singer-songwriter Giorgos Sampani has been steadily building on his music credentials in 2009 but 2010 looks luminous in comparison! What better Christmas gift than to write a song for your biggest idol? Sampani will be flexing his song-writing muscle in the New Year with one of his own compositions recorded by his musical hero Giorgos Dalaras! The track entitled “Vrehei” [with lyrics by Nikou Moraiti] will feature on the new Dalaras album.  Sampani is also busy writing songs for Elena Paparizou’s March CD release set to include their combined talents on the ethnic infused dance track ‘Thalassa’!

And Finally…

Great to see ‘Rage Against the Machine’ (RATM) take home the Christmas Number 1 spot this week with their 1992 rock classic “Killing In the Name Of”, breaking a 4 year tradition that has seen XFACTOR dominate the festive charts since 2005. The track has many interpretations but for me it’s about prevailing over oppression and standing up for what you, as an individual believe in! 

The Chrimbo campaign spearheaded by facebook, managed to recruit 950,000 members and rally support from influential music affiliates including Sir Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Muse, Fightstar, Lenny Henry, The Prodigy, Stereophonics to name a few! In appreciation of the Uk’s crusade, RGTM’s vocalist & lyricist Zach De La Rocha has promised that the band will  perform a free concert in the UK sometime in 2010 to celebrate the achievement! In response to the news, De La Rocha said “We’re very, very ecstatic and excited about the song reaching the number one spot…When young people decide to take action they can make what’s seemingly impossible, possible!”

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Check out Katerina’s Live DJ Shows:

‘Young & Connected – Scandalous!’ Every Wednesday, 8-10pm on LGR 103.3fm & The Drive Time Show – Tuesdays 4-6pm!

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: Email: katsmusiq@gmail.com     Website: www.myspace.com/katzmusic

 [Published in the Parikiaki Newspaper 24th December 2009]