Monsieur
Doumani is a trio band comprising Antonis Antoniou playing the tzouras, Angelos Ionas on the
guitar and Demetris Yiasemides playing the trombone and flute. Andys Skordes is
another influential member who joins the group as a substitute while the band
tours the world with their fusion composed music.
The band was formed as Monsieur Doumani in the year 2011,
producing their first limited-edition EP entitled ‘Cyfolk’ in 2012, when the
trio felt the need to contemplate the history and culture of their country,
Cyprus. The band has received acclaim from the audience as well as
international critics, and was nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Songlines
Music Awards 2014. Following that, it was nominated for ‘Best Group’ at
Songlines Music Awards 2016. Their second album, ‘Sikoses’, has been top listed
at the Transglobal World Music Chart and has been awarded ‘Top of the World’ in
Songlines magazine.
They reveal that the word ‘monsieur’ is ‘mister’ in French while
‘doumani’ is a Greek word describing ‘stepping into a room full of smoke’,
hence the name of the band literally means ‘Mister Smoker’ or ‘Mister Smoking’,
identifying the bond of friendship that the band shares along with their music
composition. Most of the music composed by the band has a specific explication
of subjects that matter, for instance, racism, social conflicts, society,
political issues, division of the Island, history of Cyprus, and people of the
world.
Their latest album, ‘Angathin’, meaning ‘thorn’, has blown away
millions with its effective lyrics, tunes and essence. The album deals with all
the political issues and imbalance that occurs in the world today. Music from
‘Angathin’, their previous albums as well as some traditional music from Cyprus
was performed at the festival of Sur Jahan on Friday. The band also showcased
some music that denoted their journey together.
According to the members of Monsieur Doumani, the human mind has
the tendency to wander away, either into the past or imagining the future.
“Music is an amazing experience; in fact the best kind of music is opening your
ears to the sounds of the environment, where you suddenly discover your life in
the present and not worry about the past,” they express.
They reveal that growing up in Cyprus, some 10 or 15 years ago,
the country had limited options in the field of music and its production. Most
of the songs had to be recorded in Greece. The boys realised that if they
wanted their music to sell and speak to people, then it needed to go outside to
the rest of the world. Hence they took the initiative of exposing their music
globally. Today, it has not only led them to fame but also a deep sense of love
and respect for Cyprus. From the time they started as a band till date,
Monsieur Doumani has grown and become confident in the type of music they offer
to the world.
The
main goal behind composing fusion music was to entertain the audience with a
traditional feel of history and culture and a tinge of modern symphony. “We had
faced a lot of criticism when we first launched as a band because of the kind
of music we composed,” said Antonis who plays the tzouras. Explaining their
difficulties, the band shared that because of the old and rigid mindset in
their hometown, it was difficult to earn a standard with their music composition
as people didn’t accept the new motive. “They felt we were ruining the old
traditional music while compiling them with a modern tune,” he added. However,
as time passed, people adapted to the change and realised that it was necessary
to preserve the history and culture and one form of doing so was with the music
of the Monsieur Doumani band, as they portrayed the history of Cyprus through
their songs.