”I think blues can be a very intimate personal experience for someone, and certainly a music style that offers a broad pallet of musical adventures. It’s an important music genre and worth to be approached and experienced by many more people.”
Gregg Giarelis: (Blues) Time (Rock) Flies
Gregg Giarelis is a singer, songwriter and guitar player born in Athens, Greece. Early recordings of Chicago bluesmen heard around the house and a deep fascination towards the guitars hanging in the living room was what triggered Gregg's interest in guitar playing and led to a further involvement with blues. Over the years he intensified his relationship with the guitar and singing. His playing was influenced by great blues artists such as Otis Rush, Albert king, Albert Collins, Ronnie Earl, Colin James and Buddy Wittington. Gregg's been performing frequently since 2004 as a solo artist or in the context of blues bands and has shared the stage with great blues artists like Lucky Peterson, Michael Dotson and Eddie Taylor Jr. “The boy can play the blues..." Such were Benny Turner's words to the audience after the 10 minute long jam that took place at the "Saloon" blues club in New Orleans, during Greg's recent trip to the United States. In 2012, Gregg released his first solo album entitled "Five Years Of Trouble" with 6 original compositions, five songs and one instrumental track.
(Gregg Giarelis / Photo by Dimitris Marinis)
These songs were written during the fall of 2011 and were recorded by the end of that year. A lot of attention to detail has been paid in the album process, being recorded at top notch studios and mastered in Memphis Tennessee. Last track of the album, was recorded in Nashville with producer Steve Haggard of Wild Oats records and is also included in the 2012 Wild Oats sampler cd. Gregg Giarelis’ new EP released in 2025 and titled “Time Flies”. Gregg says: “The most of the tracks for “Time Flies” were already finished by the time “Five years of trouble” was released. It was fun re-recording and re-shaping material I had in my hands for a few years.” Gregg Giarelis is an artist with a personality that deserves to discover and listen...guaranteed!
How has the Blues and Rock influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?
Well, blues and rock stuff were always heard around the house growing up and these are two music genres that have influenced my playing a lot. I’m not sure if there is an influence regarding my general views of the world but certainly, sometimes music can carry important ideas through lyrics.
How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started and what has remained the same? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?
Since my first release in 2012, I think I’ve grown regarding aspects of my playing and performing. I’m always interested in making stuff that I like regardless technique or soul. I think that if you put your interest in your work the rest somehow follow! Regarding the widely discussed balance between technique and soul, i think that things are very open for anyone to approach it as they think.
Currently you’ve one more release, titled “Time Flies”. How did that idea come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album?
Well, most of the tracks for “Time Flies” were already finished by the time “Five years of trouble” was released. It was fun re-recording and re-shaping material I had in my hands for a few years.
”Well, blues and rock stuff were always heard around the house growing up and these are two music genres that have influenced my playing a lot. I’m not sure if there is an influence regarding my general views of the world but certainly, sometimes music can carry important ideas through lyrics.” (Gregg Giarelis, singer, songwriter and guitar player born in Athens, Greece / Photo by Dimitris Marinis)
What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?
I think in all genres music moves forward. There are many great players and bands that give us great records and songs. Of course I enjoy listening to all kinds of classic stuff from the past, be it blues, rock, or any other music genre for that matter. I can’t say I’m “afraid” of something but I certainly hope to hear more good music in the future.
What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?
Well, as in life in general, you come in contact with people with different ideas and different approaches. I think leaning to co-exist and even sometimes incorporate new things is a great “lesson”, experience etc.
Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?
I think blues can be a very intimate personal experience for someone, and certainly a music style that offers a broad pallet of musical adventures. It’s an important music genre and worth to be approached and experienced by many more people. Today’s fast paced society maybe doesn’t leave enough room for enjoyment of things. Music and art can play a very important role in people’s lives from an emotional as well as an educational point of view.
What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?
I’m not sure about that. I think I mainly focus on stuff I find enjoyable.
If you had a question you would like to ask another musician what would it be?
Well, I’m not sure about a specific question but I’d like to have a general discussion with Albert Collins.
Q&A with Greek guitarist and songwriter Gregg Giarelis, his playing was influenced by great blues and rock artists
by Music Network by Michael Limnios
on Friday
”I think blues can be a very intimate personal experience for someone, and certainly a music style that offers a broad pallet of musical adventures. It’s an important music genre and worth to be approached and experienced by many more people.”
Gregg Giarelis: (Blues) Time (Rock) Flies
Gregg Giarelis is a singer, songwriter and guitar player born in Athens, Greece. Early recordings of Chicago bluesmen heard around the house and a deep fascination towards the guitars hanging in the living room was what triggered Gregg's interest in guitar playing and led to a further involvement with blues. Over the years he intensified his relationship with the guitar and singing. His playing was influenced by great blues artists such as Otis Rush, Albert king, Albert Collins, Ronnie Earl, Colin James and Buddy Wittington. Gregg's been performing frequently since 2004 as a solo artist or in the context of blues bands and has shared the stage with great blues artists like Lucky Peterson, Michael Dotson and Eddie Taylor Jr. “The boy can play the blues..." Such were Benny Turner's words to the audience after the 10 minute long jam that took place at the "Saloon" blues club in New Orleans, during Greg's recent trip to the United States. In 2012, Gregg released his first solo album entitled "Five Years Of Trouble" with 6 original compositions, five songs and one instrumental track.
(Gregg Giarelis / Photo by Dimitris Marinis)
These songs were written during the fall of 2011 and were recorded by the end of that year. A lot of attention to detail has been paid in the album process, being recorded at top notch studios and mastered in Memphis Tennessee. Last track of the album, was recorded in Nashville with producer Steve Haggard of Wild Oats records and is also included in the 2012 Wild Oats sampler cd. Gregg Giarelis’ new EP released in 2025 and titled “Time Flies”. Gregg says: “The most of the tracks for “Time Flies” were already finished by the time “Five years of trouble” was released. It was fun re-recording and re-shaping material I had in my hands for a few years.” Gregg Giarelis is an artist with a personality that deserves to discover and listen...guaranteed!
Interview by Michael Limnios Archive: Gregg Giarelis, 2013 interview
How has the Blues and Rock influenced your views of the world? What moment changed your music life the most?
Well, blues and rock stuff were always heard around the house growing up and these are two music genres that have influenced my playing a lot. I’m not sure if there is an influence regarding my general views of the world but certainly, sometimes music can carry important ideas through lyrics.
How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started and what has remained the same? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?
Since my first release in 2012, I think I’ve grown regarding aspects of my playing and performing. I’m always interested in making stuff that I like regardless technique or soul. I think that if you put your interest in your work the rest somehow follow! Regarding the widely discussed balance between technique and soul, i think that things are very open for anyone to approach it as they think.
Currently you’ve one more release, titled “Time Flies”. How did that idea come about? Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album?
Well, most of the tracks for “Time Flies” were already finished by the time “Five years of trouble” was released. It was fun re-recording and re-shaping material I had in my hands for a few years.
”Well, blues and rock stuff were always heard around the house growing up and these are two music genres that have influenced my playing a lot. I’m not sure if there is an influence regarding my general views of the world but certainly, sometimes music can carry important ideas through lyrics.” (Gregg Giarelis, singer, songwriter and guitar player born in Athens, Greece / Photo by Dimitris Marinis)
What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?
I think in all genres music moves forward. There are many great players and bands that give us great records and songs. Of course I enjoy listening to all kinds of classic stuff from the past, be it blues, rock, or any other music genre for that matter. I can’t say I’m “afraid” of something but I certainly hope to hear more good music in the future.
What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?
Well, as in life in general, you come in contact with people with different ideas and different approaches. I think leaning to co-exist and even sometimes incorporate new things is a great “lesson”, experience etc.
Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?
I think blues can be a very intimate personal experience for someone, and certainly a music style that offers a broad pallet of musical adventures. It’s an important music genre and worth to be approached and experienced by many more people. Today’s fast paced society maybe doesn’t leave enough room for enjoyment of things. Music and art can play a very important role in people’s lives from an emotional as well as an educational point of view.
What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?
I’m not sure about that. I think I mainly focus on stuff I find enjoyable.
If you had a question you would like to ask another musician what would it be?
Well, I’m not sure about a specific question but I’d like to have a general discussion with Albert Collins.
Gregg Giarelis - Home
(Gregg Giarelis / Photo by Vasilios Zacharitsev)