Aris Ziagos

Aris
Born Aristides Steven Lee Ziagos
(1982-01-09) January 9, 1982
Occupation singer, producer
Years active 2008-present
Website Official site

Aris (born Aristides Steven Lee Ziagos on January 9, 1982) is an American singer-songwriter, producer & actor. He was born to an Irish-American belly dancing mother and Greek immigrant father.[1] In early adolescence he wrote poetry, then later moved on to songwriting.[2]

Recording career

Aris performs and releases music under his first name (sans Ziagos). He began releasing music on iTunes and other digital retailers in 2008, starting with his first single "Soon". Aris has thus far released three full-length albums and several singles and EPs independently through his label imprint Riot Science Records.

The Storms

Aris released his debut album “The Storms” in 2009, which rock and pop music critic Jim Fusilli of The Wall Street Journal described as “rock with big lyrical themes” and compared to the music of singer Peter Gabriel.[3] Two songs from the album, "Still Falling" and "Call My Name”, were featured prominently in fashion campaigns that showcased the works of designer and Season 6 winner of reality show Project Runway, Irina Shabayeva. The two would collaborate again in the music video for Aris’ 2011 single “Take My Breath Away”.

Twilight Revival

Aris released his second full-length album "Twilight Revival" in September 2013.

In September 2013, he also sang a duet with Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Paula Cole during her performance at the Presbyterian Church in New Jersey.[4]

During the recording of the album in 2012, Aris' mother passed away in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.[5] One of the album's singles, "Pray For Change”, was inspired by New York City's largest food programs, Church Of The Holy Apostles, which is featured in the music video. Aris' mother Virginia is depicted in the music video in footage that was recorded before her passing.

Upon its release, LGBT magazine Out Front Colorado wrote “the guy's got the gravel of Kurt Cobain and the skills of every heartsick crooner you obsessed on in middle school”.[6] Gary M. Kramer, wrote in The Mirror Magazine that “Twilight Revival balances his range from his single ‘Twilight’ to the powerful ballad “Pray For Change” and his upbeat track “Astral Symphony”.[7]

In January 2015, Aris won producer of the year at the 9th Annual Outmusic Awards.[8]

Pulse

In 2015 Aris funded and released his third full-length album, "Pulse” using crowdfunding website Kickstarter.[9] The first single "Reborn" was released in late 2015, followed by the album on May 31, 2016. The album includes a duet with Paula Cole on the opening track "Love (Thank You)".

On June 12, 2016, a tragic shooting occurred at an Orlando nightclub also named Pulse.[10] About the incident, Aris stated “the incredibly bizarre serendipity of events brought me to halt the bulk of promotion of the album (for close to a year) out of respect to the families, and donate proceeds of the title track. I did not want to use the tragedy in any way to tie in promotions to the album, and emotionally needed to process the situation while allowing us all time to collectively heal. Now that we’ve passed the one year anniversary and we can reflect as we move forward, I’ve begun the second leg of promotion for the album. Ultimately the album is a collection of songs about love, empowerment, being yourself, standing true in who you are and who you love, and i’m incredibly proud of it”.[11]

On September 11, 2017, "The Music”, the second single & music video from the album, was released exclusively online through news and opinion website and blog HuffPost. Huffpost Entertainment contributor Michael Cook wrote “the track stays consistent with the hauntingly ethereal vibe that makes Aris’ music so unique, with Aris’ raw and yearning vocals pairing wonderfully with the throbbing beats throughout the track”.[11]

TV appearances

Aris appeared on and co-produced the improv sketch comedy TV series "It's Twisted Television" from 2002 through 2009. The show aired on various cable outlets and on YouTube.[12]

Aris has a cameo in Season 2, Episode 9 of Master of None,[13] a Netflix-original comedy-drama series created by comic Aziz Ansari and writer Alan Yang.

References

  1. ↑ "About Aris Ziagos". Sonicbids. Sonicbids.
  2. ↑ Meighan, Cate. "Boom Exclusive: Aris Ziagos Helps Us to Find Our Musical 'Pulse' on Upcoming Album". Daily Boom.
  3. ↑ "Stage: Aris To Perform". The Original LGBT Expo. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  4. ↑ Mazur, Matt. "Brooklyn Musician Arts Goes to Church with Paula Cole". PopMatters. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  5. ↑ Kilgannon, Corey. "After the Storm, a City Full of Stories". New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Rock And Roll One Up With NYC's Aris". Out Front. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Aris "Twilight"". The Mirror Magazine. Summer 2014.
  8. ↑ "9th Annual Outmusic Awards in January 2015". Outmusic. Outmusic Awards.
  9. ↑ "my new album "Pulse"". Kickstarter.
  10. ↑ Mettler, Katie. "A year ago, 49 people died at Pulse nightclub. Today, Orlando remembers". Washington Post. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Cook, Michael. "Exclusive Video Premiere-Aris-"The Music"". HuffPost. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  12. ↑ "It's Twisted Television". RiotScience Productions.
  13. ↑ "Master Of None". Netflix.
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