Gerasimos Papadopoulos (aka Jerry Pappy) is a Greek composer of oriental, folk & children songs, singer, chanter and oud player. He is originally from Cyprus, but lives permanently in Athens. He is also a makam teacher and a Byzantine musicologist. He loves the sun and creating ecstatic mood and deep emotions through music.

With “Kíta, re mána” out now, we took some time to hear from Gerasimos Papadopoulos. Read below to learn more about Gerasimos Papadopoulos, the story behind “Kíta, re mána,” and what’s to come.

Hi Gerasimos Papadopoulos! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

Gerasimos Papadopoulos is my real name. However, on social media, I use the pseudonym Jerry Pappy, since it’s more user-friendly for non-Greek speakers!

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I grew up in Nicosia, Cyprus, to Greek Cypriot parents. However, since 2008, my home base has been beloved, beautifully chaotic Athens!

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I never consciously decided to pursue a career in music. I don’t even really feel like I have a career in music—yet, in reality, everything I do in my life revolves around it. I’d say that I’ve always been a creative person. I started with Byzantine music at a very young age, and music has always been the art form that I felt most at home with, which is why I followed its path as if it were the only option. Still, I carry unfulfilled longings (which will likely remain so) for other forms of art, like painting, theatre, and cinema…

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Of course! I grew up listening to Byzantine hymns and songs from the Greek traditional and modern music scene. Eastern melodies are my musical mother tongue. In my teenage years, like everyone else, I shifted toward more Western modern sounds—rock, pop, jazz. I fell in love with Bob Dylan, Deep Purple, Syd Barrett, Nina Simone… As I got older, I explored more niche genres: Gregorian chant, musical traditions like those of Corsica or the Greeks of Sicily, contemporary composers like Schnittke and Arvo Pärt… In the end, I’ve arrived at a sound that, on the surface, is clearly Eastern, but in its essence and aesthetic, it blends all the musical worlds that I’ve been in dialogue with.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

What do I mean by ‘Eastern,’ you ask? Hmm… A focus on melodic lines, often with a complete absence of harmony—or a kind of ‘primitive’ presence of it. Intervallic pluralism, meaning scales that go beyond the simple division into tones and semitones. A strong use of throat-based vocal techniques. It’s a deeply emotional kind of music, as it imitates weeping more than anything else—whether that be the weeping of sorrow, joy, or sudden, irresistible ecstasy…

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I approach music in an entirely creative way. From the moment a song is born to organizing a recording session, I feel 100% creatively engaged. So, what do I do for fun? I binge on Netflix! Documentaries or true crime series are my absolute favorite…

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Greek traditional music from various regions where Greeks live or once lived (the Aegean islands, Asia Minor, Cyprus, Thrace), Arabic music (the songs of Fairuz are at the top of my list), both classical and folk Turkish music, rebetiko, and of course, Byzantine chant…

What are some of your future music career goals?

To record and film a series of songs and compositions that I’ve had tucked away in the drawer—and to do it soon—so I can make room for new ideas to emerge!

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

When I come across people who tell me they’ve connected one of my songs—whether I wrote it or sang it—to something deeply personal. Just two days ago, for example—a very recent case—a kind gentleman told me he’s deeply moved every time he hears ‘The Shutters’ (a traditional song from Thrace that I performed in an arrangement by Giorgos Paterakis) because he’s linked it to the death of his mother…

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

We are an imperfect circle, continuously completed by Others. Therefore, the choices of these Others are crucial. Even if they concern the most ‘trivial’ aspect of our daily lives.

Now onto your release, ‘Kíta, re mána.’ What inspired this song? What is ‘Kíta, re mána’ about?

This song is my own musical composition set to lyrics written by my partner, Iliana Filea. The melody simply supports what the lyrics express, which guide everything related to this song—from MELiA’s performance to the mixing. The meaning is very specific: It speaks about the struggle between instinct and the internalized ‘musts.’ Instinct is symbolized by the devil, and the ‘musts’ by the mother. Freedom is attained through accepting the dominance of instincts. A strange kind of freedom that springs from surrendering the ego to the deeper self.

How did the collaboration with Semeli come about?

I have known Semeli for about ten years, back when she was taking her first steps as a rebetiko singer. However, she has always been much more than that. Semeli doesn’t just have an amazing voice. She has the talent to transform into art everything that passes through her throat. Deep and meaningful art: art that speaks to the marrow, using technique rather than showing it off. I admired her back then, and I admire her even more now as she evolves artistically and experiments completely naturally and uninhibitedly wherever her instinct takes her. It is an honor for me that she said yes to this song.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Kíta, re mána?’

Revolutions must always start from within us. Otherwise, they are fake, self-righteous, and lead humanity into egocentric cycles revolving around its miserable self.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I’m preparing a project with a large oriental orchestra and an Arab rapper, but I won’t say more! As for upcoming shows, I’ll be playing with my band in Galați, Romania, as part of the Dimitrios Kantemiris Festival on June 15th. Our beloved Ribale Wehbe will be with us! Come join us!

Where can we follow you on social media?

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5DJGkfGyRaXTt82JzqQaIA
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jerrypappy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerrypappy/
Bandcamp: https://gerasimospapadopoulos.bandcamp.com/music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gerasimos.papadopoulos.7/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jerry.pappy

Before you go, let’s ask you something random. What is your favorite food?

My favorite food, for this season, is definitely watermelon! Come to Athens and you’ll understand why!

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!