The Obelisk Questionnaire: Dimos Ioannou of Khirki
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Dimos Ioannou of Khirki
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I am a musician. I play guitar and I sing in a rock ‘n’ roll band called Khirki. We are from Athens, Greece.
I realized early on I have the gift of music and I have devoted my life to honor it.
Listening to Metallica’s “Kill ‘em All” at the age of 13 made me fall in love with the electric guitar, listening to Mastodon’s “Leviathan” taught me the power of the Riff, listening to Jethro Tull’s “Aqualung” showed me the elegance of folk music.
I am also a Ph.D. student in Physics, currently working on my thesis in the field of Nanotechnology.
Describe your first musical memory.
I remember Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” vinyl spinning and my mom explaining the concept to me. It was a thrilling experience that haunted me for the rest of my life. I was 5 years old.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Every time we play and I see people I’ve never met in my life singing my lyrics, dancing and enjoying themselves because of our music is a special moment I hold dear in my heart.
As a fan my best musical memory would have to be the very first time I listened to Mastodon’s “Crack the Skye”. Instant classic! My jaw dropped, my mind was blown and I was inspired beyond words.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
Standing in front of an audience for the first time at the age of 14, playing my first show and deciding to be myself however awkward or weird I might be. It was totally worth it.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
We chase something almost impossible to catch. The essence! We all have one magic song inside of us and all we play is variations of that one song. The more we dig, the faster we run, the harder we play we come closer and closer. If we are being honest and devoted we might get a true glimpse of it one day.
How do you define success?
To earn a decent living doing what you love without sacrificing yourself.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
Members of my family being really worried or sad.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’d like to write a symphony for an orchestra one day. Something like “Tubular Bells” but with lyrics.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
Communication. Art is expressing yourself and being felt rather than understood.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
I am looking forward to visiting some places of the world like southern Italy, Morocco, Jordan, Scotland and Sweden. I would love to see the Aurora Borealis! I would love to ride a camel through the desert and visit ancient sites to marvel at monuments.
https://www.instagram.com/khirki_official/
https://www.facebook.com/khirkiofficial
https://khirkirocks.bandcamp.com/
