Melbourne’s vibrant Greek music scene is about to experience an unforgettable event as Estudiantina of Melbourne launches their debut album at Brunswick Ballroom on Sunday, March 9.
As part of this year’s Brunswick Music Festival, this event, Journey to Rebetika, will celebrate the timeless and evocative sounds of Rebetika and Smyrneika, two musical traditions deeply rooted in Greek history and culture.
Ahead of the album launch, The Greek Herald spoke with Con Calamaras from Estudiantina of Melbourne.
Thanks for your time, Con. Please introduce yourself.
Hi! My name is Con Kalamaras, I play bouzouki and Lavta in this glorious ensemble. I also manage the ensemble and book all the shows.
What inspired the formation of Estudiantina of Melbourne, and what is the significance of launching your debut album at the Brunswick Music Festival?
The genesis of this ensemble is uniquely a Melbourne one, I knew all the members, and had played with them in some capacity, but we originally came together for a show that I put on that focused on the music of Smyrne, this ensemble is a true representation of Melbourne and our multiculturism, we have Camille who is Labanese steeped in Arabic traditions and a master Kanun player, Jenny Dixson classically trained and has an impressive classical career that still blows me away, Vagellis Ginis a seasoned singer from Greece who now lives in Australia, Paul Karalis, Alex Petropoulos and Maria Antaras-Dalamagas who are great ambassadors of the next generation of Australian Greek musicians.
Rebetika and Smyrneika are deeply rooted in Greek history and culture. How do you balance preserving tradition while bringing a fresh perspective to these genres?
Our aim first and foremost is to present the music in a respectful manner. Given the backgrounds of the musicians, it’s inevitable that this influences the feel and flavour of the music. We often discuss this at our weekly rehearsals. Music is a living breathing organism, and changes and alterations are bound to happen, provided it’s within the style of the music and the tone suits the themes and message of the song.
Each of you brings a unique musical background to the ensemble. How do your diverse influences shape the overall sound of the group?
We’re quite lucky that this ensemble encourages an open encouraging environment for all to contribute to its sound and also support each other with ideas. There have been rehearsals where we end up at a different location than where we started – communication and respect is our mantra. This approach ensures all voices are heard and this safe creative space has brought out the best in us.
Brunswick has a strong connection to Greek music and culture. How has Melbourne’s Greek community influenced your journey and this album’s creation?
Music and Melbourne go hand in hand. When we take a step back and look at our collective music journeys and how we ended up playing together, it’s as if Melbourne, the city itself, and Brunswick IS a member of the band. The music culture in Melbourne draws people in and this had influenced us in capturing this moment in time, this picture of us as a band. We’ve done so much in a year and I’m excited about what the future holds.
What can audiences expect from your performance at Brunswick Ballroom, and what message do you hope to share through your music?
This performance will present us as a ensemble who have grown closer. Our weekly rehearsals have enabled us to focus – this concert will celebrate the journey so far and we aim to honour the people who have paved the way for Greek musicians to grow and continue our culture at the opposite side of the world.
Event Details:
- Date: Sunday, March 9, 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM
- Venue: Brunswick Ballroom
- Tickets: Get your tickets here
