features & interviewsJimSullivanINK.comJim Sullivan - January 2011Jazz-rock fusion has a negative connotation in a lot of people's minds because they invariably think each genre is compromised, not enhanced. They have a point. The Boston quintet Esthema makes a very good counter-argument. (It's not exactly jazz-rock fusion, either.) After listening to their second disc, "The Hereness and Nowness of Things," I'd agree with Gerald Van Waes of Phyyche Music, who says, the band creates "a new new form of chamber folk (rock) music with a total world music fundament." Violinist Onur Dilisen was raised in Turkey and graduated from the Boston Conservatory; oud and bouzouki player Tery Lemanis is a Berklee grad; drummer Bruno Esrubilsky hails from Rio and is currently at Berklee; bassist Ignacio Long was born in Argentina and is another Berklee grad; guitarist Andy Milas has been performing traditional and contemporary Greek music for two decades and has written and arranged for various prog-rock, metal, jazz and new age projects. So, you might expect this seamless blend of Eastern and Western music, a sinuous, flowing work that snakes its way through the brain and hits a variety of pleasure receptors. They're playing at Church with Emperoor Norton's Stationery Marching Band Sunday Jan. 9. Starts at 9. [read more] Prog ArchivesTorodd Fuglesteg - September 2010Apart From The Rest released in July of 2007 came together as all the parts of Esthema were being put together. I started writing Consequence, the first piece on the CD with only an idea of what the whole would be and sound like. I knew I wanted to incorporate all the musical elements that I enjoyed – progressive rock, jazz, and Greek music. As the unit came together with Tery Lemanis (oud & bouzouki), Onur Dilisen (violin), Jack Mason (bass), and Carl Sorensen (drums) so did the CD. I was writing the pieces and the arrangements came together as we rehearsed. Once Esthema was whole, I really wanted to record the CD as soon as possible in order to capture the excitement of new compositions and arrangements and the exploration of getting to know one another musically and personally. I think we definitely captured an unforgettable moment in time. [read more] Skope MagazineJanie Franz, Music Up Close - April 2010Last year, I had the privilege of interviewing Andy Milas, the frontman for the five-piece ethnic, prog rock-influenced jazz ensemble, Esthema. Blending traditional elements of Eastern European Balkan and Near/Middle Eastern music with Western jazz, prog rock, and Latin styles, the band is setting stages afire wherever they perform. [read more] WNTN 1550AM Interview & Acoustic PerformanceSunday, May 9, 2010WICN 90.5 FM InterviewFriday, April 23, 2010Stereo MecmuasiH Algerian - February 2009Bu özel röportajda sizlere benim çok sevdiğim bir grubun bünyesindeki bir Türk müzisyeni tanıtmaya çalışacağım. Grubun ismi Esthema ve grubun kemanisti Onur Dilşen. Bu keyifli röportajı sizlere sunmaktan çok mutluyum ve Esthema'nın Apart From The Rest albümünü dinlemenizi şiddetle tavsiye ediyorum. [read more] |
