SOLO ARTIST WEEK: ODYSSEAS MANIDAKIS (Strings Across Borders)

Short Bio
As a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bouzouki, greek lute,
piano/synth, vocals), Odysseas engages himself in various
bands and projects in Austria ranging from contemporary
jazz to indie rock. Somewhere between the genius
c o n t ra p u n t a l s t r u c t u r e s o f J . S . B a ch , t h e w i l d
improvisations of Keith Jarrett and his childhood memories
of the Beatles, he found his own language – a blend of
structure and spontaneity, composition and chaos. His
artistic visions primarily encompass a combination of
different art forms and expressive media. The ecstatic and
impulsive elements in jazz and world music traditions as
well as the innovative and conceptual ideas in
contemporary classical music, have shaped the aesthetic
character of his compositions. Seemingly irrelevant
musical styles provide him with a creative potential,
which ultimately helps bridge the the gap between score
and music, meticulous composition and spontaneous
improvisation. Right at the core of his artistic activity lies
the belief that music is universal. A mindset, which allows
all the different sound stimuli of our modern hectic world
to infiltrate his work and feeds his aspiration to convey all these different influences in a
coherent and authentic context on stage, both as a performer and as a composer.
Performance description
Lately, I’ve been increasingly pursuing the idea of a solo project in which I tell my own
“story” and process the insights from my musical journey through various styles and genres.
A common thread in my work is the strings, whether it’s the voice, the guitar, the bouzouki,
the lute, or the piano. With my solo project “Strings across borders,” I want to delve deeper
into my own experiences, thoughts, and sonic explorations, and share them with the
audience in the form of an intimate solo performance lasting 45 to 60 minutes. In this
performance, I will follow the thread that binds my musical journey, tracing it through the
landscapes of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. Guided by memory and emotion, I will
weave a continuous narrative that brings together diverse musical traditions, personal stories,
and shared human experiences.
Odysseas Manidakis (lute, vocals, foot percussion, electronics)
Further information about ongoing projects / bands and upcoming events can be found on
my website https://odysseas-manidakis.com and my social media channels