some of our client projects
BANESCAR – yourswords
Recording of vocals and guitars, Mixed and Mastered by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2024.
Release: EP ”yourswords”
Written and Performed by Neil Fawkes
BANESCAR is a one-man band project created by Neil Fawkes, who has been making music for as long as he can remember. After forming several projects throughout his career, Neil moved to Cyprus in 2022, where he started BANESCAR as a new chapter in his musical path.
BANESCAR is a sonic journey that celebrates life’s experiences. The artist believes that every soul bears scars, and every scar tells a story, reflecting the diverse paths we’ve traveled. In BANESCAR’s music, these scars are embraced as part of who we are.
The debut single, “yourswords” was written in a single session in less than half an hour on a lonely winter evening in 2024. The composition was later polished, revised, and brought to life with the help of the artist’s good friend Alex Schmidt and the professionals at Hot Soap Studios, marking the first chapter of BANESCAR.
Tyler Jaxon – KNA
Recorded by Andreas Matheou / Co. Produced and Mixed by Tyler Jaxon & Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2024.
Release: Single ”KNA”
Written by Tyler Jaxon (Christopher Mantikos)
Cover Art by Tyler Jaxon
After writing his first rap song at 11 years old, young Tyler realized the power of music that can unlock the inner power inside anyone and everyone.
Now, 15 years later, using a combination of Lyrically Dense Punchline-Heavy Bars, and beats that make you dance, think, and feel, Tyler Jaxon makes music that speaks to the hidden Kings and Queens we all have within.
Welcome to the Come-Up.
Pinwheel Valley – Your Superman
Recorded by Andreas Matheou / Co. Produced and Mixed by Qais Khoury & Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2024.
Mastered by Robb R
Release: Single ”Your Superman”
Written by Pinwheel Valley
Cover Art by Qais Khoury
Achilles Revisited: Pinwheel Valley Artfully Explored the Paradox of Strength and Susceptibility in ‘Your Superman’
Pinwheel Valley dissolved the boundaries between raw human emotion and a near-sacred duty to protect in their latest single, Your Superman. The laden with diaphanous resonance piece is a meditation on how desperation to become a conduit of salvation can compel us to reach demi-god-like heights while anchoring us to our firmly mortal realities.
Drawing parables with the critical vulnerability of Achilles, Your Superman sees the invincibility of love meet its match of intrinsic frailty. Just as Achilles’ unmatched ferocity was overshadowed by his singular weakness, the song explores the paradox of profound strength coexisting with susceptibility.
With the vocals oscillating between a piercing, strident cadence in the verses and ethereal harmonies in the choruses, Pinwheel Valley orchestrated a sonic landscape of thematic dualism where lyrical pleas rise like prayers from a soul torn between human limitation and the boundless realms of the divine.
The initial melancholy of the minor piano keys sets a contemplative stage, each note, a bruise upon the silence, while the syncopated trip-hop beats provide a relentless forward motion, mirroring the inexorable push of a heart driven by boundless devotion.
Evoking the artful melancholy of Jeff Buckley and the delicate precision of Nils Frahm, the song navigates the liminal spaces of vulnerability and guardianship imploring you to introspect on your own relationship with mortality.
Kontovourkis & Co. – Avril Mesimeri (Single)
Recorded and mixed by Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2024.
Release: Single ”Avril Mesimeri”
Written by: Michalis and Panayiota Kontovourkis
Tender words of affection, softly strummed guitar strings, and sunset-tinged dreams of
tomorrow: Cypriot outfit Kontovourkis & Co.’s new number, ‘Avrio Mesimeri’ is a summertime
chanson that nods to technicolor romance serenades of 1970s Mediterranea. Translated to
“Tomorrow Noon,” the love song follows on from the septet’s country-teased debut single ‘Long
Way to Nirvana’, and features brother-sister duo Michalis and Panayiota Kontovourkis sharing
main vocals atop of a rocking rumba beat and gliding horns.
The song tells the tale of two lovers awaiting their escape the following day to embark on a
journey dedicating their lives to one another. They pledge to meet at the pier at noon, yet both
temper their hopes, wary of what may arise should either be overcome with a change of heart.
“Its a song filled with hope and the possibility of future joy. One simple step, physical and
metaphorical, will set them on a united life-changing adventure; but its a step that requires great
courage and conviction from them both,” explains the band.
With ‘Avrio Mesimeri’ sung in Greek and following ‘Long Way to Nirvana’’s anglophone release –
both penned by Anglo-Italian Cypriot Duncan McCowan – Kontovourkis & Co. lay bare their
bilingual makeup, offering a vista into the liminal soundworlds of their homeland in Cyprus, the
sonic landscape of which has taken shape by the slew of empires reigning over the island
across the millennia and its fast-forwarding into a globalised today. In ‘Long Way to Nirvana’,
Kontovourkis & Co.’s endearingly jovial energy makes it hard not to stomp your feet in time with
the freewheeling skiffle tune. In ‘Avrio Mesimeri’, the swaying rhythm of the track and unrefined
warmth of the siblings’ vocals lull the lyrics’ bittersweet qualms with a nostalgic glow, gliding
above the track’s background of acoustic guitar strums that intertwine with the trumpet’s
resonances and rays of electric guitar that twinkle like sun glitter.
Formed in 2016 by Michalis Kontovourkis, a key figure in Larnaca’s music hub on the southeast
coast of Cyprus, Kontovourkis & Co. honed their sound through their live gigs, drawing
inspiration from foundational artists across the rock, singer-songwriter, and indie genres
spectrum. After turning heads on the island with his solo 2018 singer-songwriter album “Ap tin
Arxi”, Michalis spearheaded Kontovourkis & Co.’s formation as its band members offered more
creative direction to the songs. Marking the band’s debut is a string of three singles written by
McCowan, who himself brings along his musical past from London’s roots busking scene of the
1980s.
‘Avrio Mesimeri’ is a sea-sprayed ode to hopes and dreams for the future, drifting between the
band’s own yearning of escape from a secluded island and settling into the solace of the
familiar, much like the bittersweet ebb and flow of the Mediterranean waters that surround them.
Pinwheel Valley – Reverie (EP)
Recorded by Andreas Matheou / Co. Produced & Mixed by Qais Khoury & Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2023.
Mastered by Ryan M
Release: EP ”Reverie”
Written by Pinwheel Valley
Cover Art by Alica Cao Illustrations
Having long found inspiration in the likes of Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke and Fink, singer-songwriter Qais is a white-heat intensity in Pinwheel Valley’s panoptic sound, as the rising dynamo in the making (with Stef Meletiou on drums & Max Daniels on bass) strike both sonically & lyrically with iridescent and pastel aural-tones. As do Palace, Half Moon Run or Art of Sleeping, the cluster melds the genre blends of Indie Soul, Mellow Alternative Rock and Folktronica with fingerprint intricacy. A group that has evolved profoundly over the years, having toured throughout Vancouver, Toronto and Seattle in 2016 and 2017, received numerous accolades such as a Canadian Best Out of Province nomination at the 13th Toronto Independent Music Awards, and landed acclaim in the archives of pivotal blogs like Clash Magazine, Earmilk and Music News, Pinwheel Valley holds firm in belief. In 2020, they joined the London Indie sync licensing roster, North Note, and in 2020 were invited to a prestigious show by BBC Radio London host Robert Elms for their seminal 2018 single, Take Me Home. More recent notable achievements include Best Music Video wins for ‘Abduction’ and ‘Willow’ at the 2023 New York Movie Awards, Vegas Movie Awards, Swedish International Film Awards, and Russia’s HALO International Film Festival. Currently, the group continues to work on their profoundly explorative music out of their home base island in the Mediterranean. A place encircled by water on all sides, their only wait out proves to be none other than a steady rise up.
Kontovourkis & Co. – Long Way to Nirvana (Single)
Recorded and mixed by Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2024.
Release: Single ”Long Way to Nirvana”
Written by: Michalis and Panayiota Kontovourkis
Kontovourkis & Co. debut with freewheeling country-teased single ‘Long Way to Nirvana’
Cypriot band Kontovourkis & Co. are what you’d least expect to find belting out country tunes à
la skiffle craze of yesteryears that invaded the island’s former reigning empire – yet their debut
‘Long Way to Nirvana’ is a love story that recalls just that era and carries an ungovernable
joviality that’s hard not to kick your shoes off and dance to. Slated for release on 29 March
2024, ‘Long Way to Nirvana’ is an uncomplicated bluegrass jaunt that holds a foot-stomping
pulse and is accompanied by a music video capturing the band revelling in music’s conviviality.
The story of Kontovourkis & Co. begins in Larnaca’s southeast coast of the much-coveted island
of Cyprus, a country not quite in any of the three continents it intersects, with local dialects that
aren’t quite Greek or Turkish, and with a cultural identity long effaced by more conquerors
across the millenia than its fellow EU members can bear to admit. Yet rather than succumb to
overworn PR stunts of anthems of resistance or exotic folk-psychedelic fuzz fusion, the band
take things as they come, liberated by any sounds that bring music to their ears. With their
‘Long Way to Nirvana’, its harmonica-powered engine and rowdy rendering, Kontovourkis & Co.
are befitting just that.
Formed in 2016 by Michalis Kontovourkis, a key figure in Larnaca’s music hub, Kontovourkis & Co. honed their sound through their live gigs, drawing inspiration from foundational artists
across the rock, singer-songwriter, and indie genres spectrum. After turning heads on the island
with his 2018 singer-songwriter album ‘Ap tin Arxi’, Michalis spearheaded Kontovourkis & Co.’s
formation as its band members offered more creative direction to the songs. Marking
Kontovourkis & Co.’s debut, the band is releasing a string of three singles penned by harmonica
player Duncan McCowan, who himself brings along his musical past in London’s roots busking
scene of the 1980s. Led by ‘Long Way to Nirvana’, the band will follow with ‘Avrio Mesimeri’ – a
Mediterranean chanson about two star-crossed lovers, and singer-songwriter number ‘Last
Farewell,’ out this Spring.
The song expresses the universal, farcical dilemma arising when an unsophisticated guy falls
for an enlightened, cultivated woman. He’s panic-stricken, but ready to sacrifice his world to
reach hers. There’s an endearing vulnerability about him, and an alluring, charismatic charm
about her, explain the band.
Pinwheel Valley – Reverie (Single)
Recorded by Andreas Matheou / Co. Produced and Mixed by Qais Khoury & Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2023.
Mastered by Ryan M
Release: Single ”Reverie”
Written by Pinwheel Valley
Cover Art by Qais Khoury
Having long found inspiration in the likes of Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke and Fink, singer-songwriter Qais is a white-heat intensity in Pinwheel Valley’s panoptic sound, as the rising dynamo in the making (with Stef Meletiou on drums & Max Daniels on bass) strike both sonically & lyrically with iridescent and pastel aural-tones. As do Palace, Half Moon Run or Art of Sleeping, the cluster melds the genre blends of Indie Soul, Mellow Alternative Rock and Folktronica with fingerprint intricacy. A group that has evolved profoundly over the years, having toured throughout Vancouver, Toronto and Seattle in 2016 and 2017, received numerous accolades such as a Canadian Best Out of Province nomination at the 13th Toronto Independent Music Awards, and landed acclaim in the archives of pivotal blogs like Clash Magazine, Earmilk and Music News, Pinwheel Valley holds firm in belief. In 2020, they joined the London Indie sync licensing roster, North Note, and in 2020 were invited to a prestigious show by BBC Radio London host Robert Elms for their seminal 2018 single, Take Me Home. More recent notable achievements include Best Music Video wins for ‘Abduction’ and ‘Willow’ at the 2023 New York Movie Awards, Vegas Movie Awards, Swedish International Film Awards, and Russia’s HALO International Film Festival. Currently, the group continues to work on their profoundly explorative music out of their home base island in the Mediterranean. A place encircled by water on all sides, their only wait out proves to be none other than a steady rise up.
Allusion – Odyssey (Album)
Recorded and mixed by Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2023.
Mastered at Sweetspot Production Studio
Release: Album ”Odyssey”
Written by: Andreas Yerolatsitis & Omiros Miltiadous
Linktree: lintr.ee/allusionquartet
The Allusion Quartet is based on a collaboration between Antreas Yerolatsitis on guitar and Omiros Miltiadous on drums. In 2022, after many years of playing together in different band settings, styles and concepts, they created the quartet inviting Marios Charalampous on tenor saxophone and Kyriacos Kesta on double bass. Their music has influences from many genres such as jazz, pop, funk, blues, modal and free. Improvisation and spontaneity, collectiveness and interplay are some features of their style. The band has already performed in all major stages in Cyprus, as well as the biggest Jazz festivals such as Aglanjazz 2023 and Paradise Jazz
Festival 2023. The group recorded their first studio album called Odyssey in August 2023.
Nativalien & Simple Machines – Starlight (Single)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Qais Khoury at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2023
Mastered by Samuel Wills
Release: Single ”Starlight”
Written by: Nativalien & Simple Machines
Canadian music artist and producer Nativalien’s debut release ‘Starlight’, releases in 2024. Having formerly graduated with a diploma in music production out of the electronic music driven Point Blank Music College in London, he has kept his work in electronic music under the radar since 2014. Naitvalien is better known for his work in the Indie and Alt Rock realm under the artist moniker Pinwheel Valley.
Simple Machines is the artist moniker of Algerian / Canadian music artist and multi-instrumentalist Amine Bouzaher. Amine has an excellent repertoire in both producing and performing acoustic and electronic music, having composed the music for wide ranging and diverse film content throughout Canada and the US.
Buzz’ Ayaz – Buzz’ Ayaz
Recorded and mixed by Makes Pelopidas with assistant engineer Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2023.
Release: Album ”Buzz’ Ayaz”
Written by: Antonis Antoniou
Website: https://buzzayaz.com/
Hailing from Cyprus’s divided capital Nicosia, this newly-born project led by Antonis Antoniou – founder of award-winning bands Monsieur Doumani and Trio Tekke – brings a fresh air of Eastern Mediterranean psychedelia, rock and blues.
A dynamic offbeat groove emitted from the tribal-like drumming and the fierce bass clarinet riffs produces a grimy trance-like reverie.
The result is a fuzzy urban soundscape of synth textures and dubby electronics, 70s psych organ allusions, growling reed utterances and microtonal Anatolian melodic spices.
Their debut album has been released September 2024 via Glitterbeat Records.
Copper Mine – Barrow (EP)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2023
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: EP ”Barrow”
Written by: Copper Mine
Singer songwriter and guitarist Copper Mine’s earliest and most lasting musical influences came from exploring as a teenager his older sister’s record collection and discovering the likes of Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Dire Straits, the Beatles and Bob Marley. He later came to love other genres including jazz, Latino and opera. He sees songs as a great way of capturing moments in time.
Pinwheel Valley – Live from Hot Soap Studios (EP)
Recorded by Andreas Matheou / Mixed by Qais Khoury & Andreas Matheou – at Hot Soap Studios in Spring of 2023.
Mastered at CPS Mastering
Release: EP ”Live from Hot Soap Studios”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley
Cover Art by Alex Pap
Having long found inspiration in the likes of Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke and Fink, singer-songwriter Qais is a white-heat intensity in Pinwheel Valley’s panoptic sound, as the rising dynamo in the making (with Stef Meletiou on drums & Max Daniels on bass) strike both sonically & lyrically with iridescent and pastel aural-tones. As do Palace, Half Moon Run or Art of Sleeping, the cluster melds the genre blends of Indie Soul, Mellow Alternative Rock and Folktronica with fingerprint intricacy. A group that has evolved profoundly over the years, having toured throughout Vancouver, Toronto and Seattle in 2016 and 2017, received numerous accolades such as a Canadian Best Out of Province nomination at the 13th Toronto Independent Music Awards, and landed acclaim in the archives of pivotal blogs like Clash Magazine, Earmilk and Music News, Pinwheel Valley holds firm in belief. In 2020, they joined the London Indie sync licensing roster, North Note, and in 2020 were invited to a prestigious show by BBC Radio London host Robert Elms for their seminal 2018 single, Take Me Home. Currently, the group continues to work on their profoundly explorative music out of their home base island in the Mediterranean. A place encircled by water on all sides, their only wait out proves to be none other than a steady rise up.
Pinwheel Valley – R.E.M. State (feat. Garrison Cade) (Single)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Qais Khoury & Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Spring of 2023
Mastered at CPS Mastering
Release: Single ”R.E.M. State (feat. Garrison Cade)”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley & Garrison Cade
Cover Art by Alex Pap
For his latest release, the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Pinwheel Valley (formerly known as KAIS), added an old-school hip-hop top-line to the beat of the standout instrumental single, R.E.M. State, which featured on his 2023 EP, What If I.
Collaborating with the rapper Garrison Cade, who has proven to be at the top of his game in his alt/indie band, Sam the Astronaut, which has taken Canada’s West Coast by storm, the two collaborators answered the question, what does it sound like when two powerhouses collide?
While we loved the artful ambience of the instrumental iteration for the temperate atmosphere that oscillated through our speakers, the hip-hop revival of the single reached the serendipitous pinnacle of visionary synergy.
With the verses flowing with the same transcendent philosophy as the intricate progressions, the reworking of R.E.M. State unravels as a meditation in authentically old-school ambient old-school hip-hop. Pinwheel Valley & Cade couldn’t be derivative if they tried with their shared tenacity for versing and arranging melodies straight from the soul.
“R.E.M. State is the ‘Kaytranada – Bus Ride’ inspired track that started out as an instrumental on the ‘What If I’ EP released last February. A few ppl were asking for an old-school Hip-Hop top-line to the beat, and I thought Garrison Cade would make the perfect fit. Garrison is a talented rapper who also fronts ‘Sam the Astronaut’, a popular Canadian West Coast, Alternative/Indie band. I believe Garrison has the right pre-reqs for someone I could tour or perform a couple shows with at some point.”
The Ladderman – Figures on Demand (Album)
Mixed by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios during Spring of 2023
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: Album ”Figures on Demand”
The Ladderman is an alternative rock band from Larnaca, Cyprus formed in 2011. With references in the progressive hard rock era, The Ladderman’s heady and thunderous roar is crafted using quirky melodies, bluesy riffs, tight basslines and complex time signatures. Since releasing their debut in “Not a Six” in 2016 and their sophomore album ‘Anything Goes” in 2019 they have been building their reputation through notoriously flawless live shows.
The Ladderman are Stelios Mosfiliotis (bass), Rolandis Lazidis (electric guitar), Stefanos Eliopoulos (drums), Andreas Matheou electric guitar/vocals.
Copper Mine – Calumet & Mountaineer (EP)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2023
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: EP ”Calumet & Mountaineer (acoustic versions)”
Written by: Copper Mine
Singer songwriter and guitarist Copper Mine’s earliest and most lasting musical influences came from exploring as a teenager his older sister’s record collection and discovering the likes of Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Dire Straits, the Beatles and Bob Marley. He later came to love other genres including jazz, Latino and opera. He sees songs as a great way of capturing moments in time.
Copper Mine – Calumet (EP)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2023
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: EP ”Calumet”
Written by: Copper Mine
Singer songwriter and guitarist Copper Mine’s earliest and most lasting musical influences came from exploring as a teenager his older sister’s record collection and discovering the likes of Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Dire Straits, the Beatles and Bob Marley. He later came to love other genres including jazz, Latino and opera. He sees songs as a great way of capturing moments in time.
Pinwheel Valley – What If I (EP)
Recorded and produced by Andreas Matheou, Qais Khoury & Sam Royo Varela at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2022
R.E.M. State – Mixed by – Andreas Matheou & Qais Khoury
What If I – Mixed by – Matthew N
Honey Ripples – Mixed by – Andreas Matheou & Stefanos Arestis
Mastered at CPS Mastering
Release: EP ”What If I”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley (formerly known as KAIS)
Cover Art by Alex Pap
Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Pinwheel Valley (Qais Khoury) takes the complexities of the human condition as inspiration for his fusionist sound that sonically melds the realms of indie soul, neo psychedelic rock and folk. At the outset of his music career, he addressed global topics before turning his attention to the drab difficulties and profound beauty of being human and lyrically dipped into meta poetry.
Clash Magazine praised him for ‘working on different dimensions, pushing himself further and tapping into uncharted emotions.’ As a lover of the metaphysical, Pinwheel Valley’s work consists of finding balance between natural inclinations and the demands in an ego-driven late-stage capitalist world, and his wanderlust tendencies have seen him gracing global stages since the early 2000s as an independent artist. Since honing his craft in the early 2010s, he has been well-accoladed and featured in pivotal blogs such as ‘Music News’ and LA’s ‘Buzz’. In 2020, Pinwheel Valley joined the London Indie sync licensing roster, North Note, and in 2021 he was interviewed by BBC Radio London host Robert Elms for his seminal 2018 single, Take Me Home.
Currently, Pinwheel Valley works out of Hot Soap Studios, his personal and commercial recording studio in Cyprus, where he continues to hone his profoundly explorative music.
“In a time when it is impossible to hear anything but aggravated polarised opinions, Pinwheel Valley’s intellectually humanistic approach to music is the breath of fresh air that our souls are crying out for.” Amelia Vandergast – A&R Factory.
Pinwheel Valley – Willow (EP)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou, Qais Khoury & Sam Royo Varela at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2022
Mastered at CPS Mastering
Release: EP ”Willow”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley (formerly known as KAIS)
Cover Art by Alex Pap
Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Pinwheel Valley (Qais Khoury) takes the complexities of the human condition as inspiration for his fusionist sound that sonically melds the realms of indie soul, neo psychedelic rock and folk. At the outset of his music career, he addressed global topics before turning his attention to the drab difficulties and profound beauty of being human and lyrically dipped into meta poetry.
Clash Magazine praised him for ‘working on different dimensions, pushing himself further and tapping into uncharted emotions.’ As a lover of the metaphysical, Pinwheel Valley’s work consists of finding balance between natural inclinations and the demands in an ego-driven late-stage capitalist world, and his wanderlust tendencies have seen him gracing global stages since the early 2000s as an independent artist. Since honing his craft in the early 2010s, he has been well-accoladed and featured in pivotal blogs such as ‘Music News’ and LA’s ‘Buzz’. In 2020, Pinwheel Valley joined the London Indie sync licensing roster, North Note, and in 2021 he was interviewed by BBC Radio London host Robert Elms for his seminal 2018 single, Take Me Home.
Currently, Pinwheel Valley works out of Hot Soap Studios, his personal and commercial recording studio in Cyprus, where he continues to hone his profoundly explorative music.
“In a time when it is impossible to hear anything but aggravated polarised opinions, Pinwheel Valley’s intellectually humanistic approach to music is the breath of fresh air that our souls are crying out for.” Amelia Vandergast – A&R Factory.
Copper Mine – Santiago (Single)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2022
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: Single ”Santiago”
Written by: Copper Mine
Singer songwriter and guitarist Copper Mine’s earliest and most lasting musical influences came from exploring as a teenager his older sister’s record collection and discovering the likes of Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Dire Straits, the Beatles and Bob Marley. He later came to love other genres including jazz, Latino and opera. He sees songs as a great way of capturing moments in time.
Pinwheel Valley – Hot Air Balloon (EP)
Recorded and produced by Andreas Matheou & Qais Khoury at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2022
– Hot Air Balloon – Mixed by – Jim Mc
– Horizon – Mixed by – Matthew N
– Turning to Gold – Mixed by – Andreas Matheou & Qais Khoury
Mastered at CPS Mastering
Release: EP ”Hot Air Balloon”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley (formerly known as KAIS)
Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Pinwheel Valley (Qais Khoury) takes the complexities of the human condition as inspiration for his fusionist sound that sonically melds indie, psych, soul-infused blues, rock and folk. At the outset of his music career, he addressed global topics before turning his attention to the drab difficulties and profound beauty of being human and lyrically dipped into meta poetry.
As a lover of the metaphysical, Pinwheel Valley’s work consists of finding the balance between natural inclinations and the demands in an ego-driven late-stage capitalist world. His wanderlust tendencies have seen him gracing global stages since the early 2000s as an independent touring artist. In 2014, he took part in the Mayor of London Big Busk and graduated with a diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering from Point Blank Music College.
He toured Vancouver, Toronto and Seattle with a full band in 2016 and 2017, received an honorary mention in the 2016 International Songwriting Competition, a Canadian Best Out of Province nomination at the 13th Annual Toronto Independent Music Awards and a Lyrics Finalist position in the 2017 USA Songwriting Competition.
In 2021 he was interviewed by BBC Radio London host Robert Elms for his seminal 2018 single, Take Me Home.
Currently, Qais works from his personal and commercial recording studio, Hot Soap Studios, in Cyprus, where he continues to work on his profoundly explorative music that challenges society’s constricting constructs that inhibit actualization.
“It takes some serious reading between the anthemic uplifting lines to pull out the protestive fire that any establishment would be desperate to put out through fear of it cutting profit margins that are boosted by dull hiveminds. On the flip side of that, texturally, Hot Air Balloon is a dreamy, kaleidoscopic blister of bliss, which is all too welcome in these easy to lament times.” Amelia Vandergast – A&R Factory.
Copper Mine – Albuquerque (EP)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2022
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: EP ”Albuquerque”
Singer songwriter and guitarist Copper Mine’s earliest and most lasting musical influences came from exploring as a teenager his older sister’s record collection and discovering the likes of Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Dire Straits, the Beatles and Bob Marley. He later came to love other genres including jazz, Latino and opera. He sees songs as a great way of capturing moments in time.
Apostola – World For Sale (Album)
Recorded, Mixed by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios during the Winter of 2021
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: Album ”World For Sale”
Singer-songwriter Apostola’s ‘World for Sale’ album was recorded and mixed at Hot Soap in the winter of 2021 and released on March 10, 2022. The concept album is a follow-up to the ‘Broken World’ album (2021). The 10 indie/pop-rock tracks follow a theme of the human condition, covering current topics through musical narratives.
Copper Mine – Pajaro River (EP)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2022
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: EP ”Pajaro River”
Written by: Copper Mine
Singer songwriter and guitarist Copper Mine’s earliest and most lasting musical influences came from exploring as a teenager his older sister’s record collection and discovering the likes of Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Dire Straits, the Beatles and Bob Marley. He later came to love other genres including jazz, Latino and opera. He sees songs as a great way of capturing moments in time.
Pinwheel Valley – Her Majesty’s Window (EP)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou & Qais Khoury at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2021
– Spell – Mixed by – Andreas Matheou & Qais Khoury
– Abduction – Mixed by – Andreas Matheou & Qais Khoury
– Healing – Mixed by – Matthew N
– Her Majesty’s Window – Mixed by – Andreas Matheou
– How We Die – Mixed by – Jim Mc
Mastered at CPS Mastering
Release: EP ”Her Majesty’s Window”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley (formerly known as KAIS)
Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Pinwheel Valley (Qais Khoury) takes the complexities of the human condition as inspiration for his fusionist sound that sonically melds indie, psych, soul-infused blues, rock and folk. At the outset of his music career, he addressed global topics before turning his attention to the drab difficulties and profound beauty of being human and lyrically dipped into meta poetry.
As a lover of the metaphysical, Pinwheel Valley’s work consists of finding the balance between natural inclinations and the demands in an ego-driven late-stage capitalist world. His wanderlust tendencies have seen him gracing global stages since the early 2000s as an independent touring artist. In 2014, he took part in the Mayor of London Big Busk and graduated with a diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering from Point Blank Music College.
He toured Vancouver, Toronto and Seattle with a full band in 2016 and 2017, received an honorary mention in the 2016 International Songwriting Competition, a Canadian Best Out of Province nomination at the 13th Annual Toronto Independent Music Awards and a Lyrics Finalist position in the 2017 USA Songwriting Competition.
In 2021 he was interviewed by BBC Radio London host Robert Elms for his seminal 2018 single, Take Me Home.
Currently, Qais works from his personal and commercial recording studio, Hot Soap Studios, in Cyprus, where he continues to work on his profoundly explorative music that challenges society’s constricting constructs that inhibit actualization.
“In a time when it is impossible to hear anything but aggravated polarized opinions, Pinwheel Valley’s intellectually humanistic approach to music is the breath of fresh air that our souls are crying out for.” Amelia Vandergast – A&R Factory.
Pinwheel Valley – Healing (Acoustic) (Single)
Recorded and mixed by Andreas Matheou & Qais Khoury at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2021
Mastered at CPS Mastering
Release: Single ”Healing”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley (formerly known as KAIS)
Canadian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Pinwheel Valley (Qais Khoury) takes the complexities of the human condition as inspiration for his fusionist sound that sonically melds indie, psych, soul-infused blues, rock and folk. At the outset of his music career, he addressed global topics before turning his attention to the drab difficulties and profound beauty of being human and lyrically dipped into meta poetry.
As a lover of the metaphysical, Pinwheel Valley’s work consists of finding the balance between natural inclinations and the demands in an ego-driven late-stage capitalist world. His wanderlust tendencies have seen him gracing global stages since the early 2000s as an independent touring artist. In 2014, he took part in the Mayor of London Big Busk and graduated with a diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering from Point Blank Music College.
He toured Vancouver, Toronto and Seattle with a full band in 2016 and 2017, received an honorary mention in the 2016 International Songwriting Competition, a Canadian Best Out of Province nomination at the 13th Annual Toronto Independent Music Awards and a Lyrics Finalist position in the 2017 USA Songwriting Competition.
In 2021 he was interviewed by BBC Radio London host Robert Elms for his seminal 2018 single, Take Me Home.
Currently, Qais works from his personal and commercial recording studio, Hot Soap Studios, in Cyprus, where he continues to work on his profoundly explorative music that challenges society’s constricting constructs that inhibit actualization.
“In a time when it is impossible to hear anything but aggravated polarized opinions, Pinwheel Valley’s intellectually humanistic approach to music is the breath of fresh air that our souls are crying out for.” Amelia Vandergast – A&R Factory.
Copper Mine – 5th Day of May (Album)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Summer of 2021
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: Album ”5th Day of May”
Written by: Copper Mine
Singer songwriter and guitarist Copper Mine’s earliest and most lasting musical influences came from exploring as a teenager his older sister’s record collection and discovering the likes of Bob Dylan, JJ Cale, Dire Straits, the Beatles and Bob Marley. He later came to love other genres including jazz, Latino and opera. He sees songs as a great way of capturing moments in time.
Apostola – Woman (EP)
Recorded, mixed by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios during the Summer of 2021
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: EP ”Woman”
Apostola’s fourth release for 2021 was recorded and mixed at Hot Soap studios and released on Sept 1, 2021.
The Concept EP features four tracks, starting wtih the female anthem ‘Strong Women’ (Highly Commended – 5 Stars in the Pop category of the ‘UK Songwriting Contest’), followed by ‘Lioness’ – a haunting track full of personal pain. Track 3, the poingnant ‘Dear Daughter’ reached the Semi-Finals of the ‘UK Songwriting Contest’ in the Adult Conteporary category prior to its release, whilst the final track ‘Shine’ – an upbeat disco ditty – was also Highly Commended – 5 Stars at the contest.
Pinwheel Valley – Spirit City Kiss (Single)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in Winter of 2020
Mastered at CPS Mastering
Release: Single ”Spirit City Kiss”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley (formerly known as KAIS)
Qais Khoury, known professionally as Pinwheel Valley, is a Canadian, Jordan-born singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and recording artist currently based on the island of Cyprus.
Producing a mixture of Indie-Alternative, Psychedelic Soul-infused Blues & Folk Rock, Pinwheel Valley falls nothing short of peachy as he demonstrates a mixed influence by quintessential acts such as Jeff Buckley, Ben Howard, Oasis, Radiohead and Gary Clark Jr.
Recognizing music as a tool that could move and influence people, he first wrote about world issues like war and global warming. Today, Pinwheel Valley’s poetic complexities have grown to express a love of the metaphysical, as he has woven a fine balance into his music between natural inclinations for the outdoors and the demands of our social world.
Gradually having made ripples in the music industry as an independent and self-funded artist, Pinwheel Valley has performed quite a number of gigs since the early 2000s. He has showcased his music in such events as The Mayor of London Big Busk in the UK and venues like The Harbour Event Centre, Fox Cabaret and Guilt & Co in Vancouver, Canada. Additionally he was invited to Toronto’s annual Indie Week where he performed at the notorious Painted Lady, The Brooklynn and The Cavern.
Pinwheel Valley continues to flirt with the fresh and groundbreaking all the while translating what speaks to his heart. He gradually writes and records music now with greater maturity and a stronger approach, all to be released in due time.
Stonus – Seance (EP)
Recorded and mixed by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios during late Summer of 2020
Mastered by George Leodis
Release: EP ”Seance”
Written by: Stonus
“A séance or seance (/ˈseɪ.ɑːns/; French: [seɑ̃s]) is an attempt to communicate with spirits. The word came to be used specifically for a meeting of people who are gathered to receive messages from ghosts or to listen to a spirit medium discourse with or relay messages from spirits.”
Following the release of their debut album “Aphasia” in early March 2020, Stonus found themselves in the middle of the pandemic, forced to cancel their first European tour – leaving the members isolated in Cyprus, Leeds and London. This was an emotionally heavy period for the band, since they were forced to stay away from the things which kept them together, however these restrictions gave them space to reflect on themselves, enabling them to connect and unify with higher energies explored through consciousness, meditation and spiritual melodies.
This is where Séance was born, through the ashes of frustration, loneliness and isolation, a silent scream for freedom, a self-realisation of multiple possible realities and an esoteric outbreak leading to a superficial ego-death.
In this trip, Stonus take a more experimental approach seeking into tradition, experiencing folk sounds, gypsy sceneries and expose themselves into the darkest side of nature. In some parts they are raw and heavy, while in others lost in a psychedelic trance, filled with roaring basslines, heavy riffs and dreamy melodies, always bloodthirsty for revolution and change. Whether you’re bound by the evil chains of pretentious love, feeling disconnected from your dreams or being chained to the system, Séance is a kind reminder that you are not alone…
Members:
– Vocals: Kyriacos Frangoulis
– Lead Guitar: Pavlos Demetriou
– Rhythm Guitar: Nicky Ray
– Bass: Andreas Aristides
– Drums: Kotsios Demetriades
Erika Soteri – The American Dream (Single)
Recorded by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios in October of 2020
Release: Single ”The American Dream”
Erika Soteri is a powerhouse performer and a jazzy, soulful singer-songwriter born in London, England and raised in Cyprus. The up-and-coming artist recently gained exposure, following her success on The Voice of Greece. All 4 judges instantly turned around and fought to have Erika join their team. After her decision to join Eurovision’s sweetheart, Helena Paparizou’s team, Erika made it through to the semi-finals of the show. Born into a family of musicians, Erika began dancing, acting, singing and playing the piano at the age of 3 and began writing music by the age of 10. Her musical influences consist of Jazz, Funk, Neo-Soul and RnB and include artists such as Sade, Amy Winehouse and band Hiatus Kaiyote. Erika’s rich tone and retro, sultry, silky vocals, as well as her lyrics make her seem wise beyond her years. Her style is classically elegant and refreshing; an artist that will in no-doubt be cutting through mainstream and introducing the industry to a sound that is timeless yet still thoroughly original.
The smallest Creature – Magic Beans (EP)
Recorded, produced and mixed by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios during Spring of 2020
Mastered at Mercury Mastering
Release: EP ”Magic Beans”
Written by: The smallest Creature
With influences mainly from alternative rock, the band stands out for their distinctive melodies, raw lyrics and rich sound. Their first album, Million, released about 3 years ago, has received excellent reviews both from within and outside Cyprus.
The smallest Creature have performed in various events and festivals around Cyprus, such as the popular annual festival “Fengaros”.
The smallest Creature are, Stephanos Marnerides on guitar and vocals, Andreas Matheou on guitar and backing vocals, Pavlos Papadopoulos on bass and Iacovos Stylianides on the drums.
Pinwheel Valley – Dark Side of the Light (Single)
Recorded, mixed and produced by Andreas Matheou & Kais Khoury at Hot Soap Studios in April 2020
Release: Single ”Dark Side of the Light”
Written by: Pinwheel Valley (formerly ‘KAIS’)
Kais Khoury, professionally known as KAIS, is a Canadian, Jordanian born singer-songwriter and producer.
Blending a fresh fusion of Indie, Alternative, and Soul-infused Blues & Folk Rock, he’s creatively addressed a wide array of topics. Recognizing music as a tool that could move and influence people, he first wrote about world issues like war and global warming. Today, his poetic complexities have grown to express the plain difficulties of being human. Always a lover for mysticism, he’s woven a fine balance between natural inclinations and the demands of the social world. For the most part, he certainly is no stranger to wanderlust and has expanded the boundaries of his spiritual development with an avid love for traveling and open expanse sports like kitesurfing and even skydiving.
Gradually having made ripples in the music industry as an independent and self-funded artist, he’s performed quite a number of gigs since the early 2000s. In 2014, he took part in the Mayor of London Big Busk. That year, he put a stamp on his music career after graduating with a diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering out of Point Blank Music College. It’s safe to say that he’s dabbled with electronic sound design and other far-reaching aspects of the music industry, and has prolonged the rewards of that entrepreneurial musicianship with a broader vocabulary and a hands-on approach. In alliance with a full band, he continued to perform throughout Vancouver, BC, Toronto, ON and Seattle, WA in 2016 and 2017, and was set to perform at SXSW in Austin, TX in 2018. Recent achievements include an ‘Honorary Mention’ in the 2016 International Songwriting Competition, a ‘Best Out of Province’ Nomination at the 13th Annual Toronto Independent Music Awards and a ‘Lyrics Finalist’ in the 2017 USA Songwriting Competition.
Although he has retired from live performing in the last couple of years since moving back to his hometown, he gradually continues to write and record music now with greater maturity and a stronger approach, all to be released in due time. One thing seems certain for this artist… His intense passion and an insatiable thirst for self-betterment are taking things up a notch for both him and the steadfast comrades by his side.
The Ladderman – Crooked Sides (Single)
Recorded, produced and mixed at Hot Soap Studios during Spring of 2020
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: Single ”Crooked Sides”
The Ladderman is an alternative rock band from Larnaca, Cyprus formed in 2011. With references in the progressive hard rock era, The Ladderman’s heady and thunderous roar is crafted using quirky melodies, bluesy riffs, tight basslines and complex time signatures. Since releasing their debut in “Not a Six” in 2016 and their sophomore album ‘Anything Goes” in 2019 they have been building their reputation through notoriously flawless live shows.
The Ladderman are Stelios Mosfiliotis (bass), Rolandis Lazidis (electric guitar), Stefanos Eliopoulos (drums), Andreas Matheou electric guitar/vocals.
The Radical Panda – Sober Man (EP)
Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios during Winter of 2020
Release: EP ”Sober Man”
Written by: The Radical Panda
The Radical Panda is a 4 piece, garage rock band based in Nicosia and Limassol Cyprus.
Members are, Stefanos Georgiades (Vocals, Guitar), Chris Dimou (Drums), Christo Shumanov (Bass), Andreas Epaminonda (Guitar)
Blackout – Lullaby of Love (Single)
Recorded, produced and mixed at Hot Soap Studios in May of 2020
Release: Single ”Lullaby of love”
BlackOut is a seven-piece reggae and ska band based in Larnaca, Cyprus. Formed in 2012, BlackOut has experimented and explored different types of reggae, ska, and reggae-influenced music.
Tackling the norm, BlackOut tries to break barriers and share positive vibes through every note of their work.
They released their first single “Lullaby of love” on May 2020 and the second “Sunny Day” on July 2020. They are currently concentrated on a third single and album work.
Blackout – Sunny Day (Single)
Recorded, produced and mixed at Hot Soap Studios in July of 2020
Release: Single ”Sunny Day”
BlackOut is a seven-piece reggae and ska band based in Larnaca, Cyprus. Formed in 2012, BlackOut has experimented and explored different types of reggae, ska, and reggae-influenced music.
Tackling the norm, BlackOut tries to break barriers and share positive vibes through every note of their work.
They released their first single “Lullaby of love” on May 2020 and the second “Sunny Day” on July 2020. They are currently concentrated on a third single and album work.
Abettor – Rinse & Repeat (LP)
Recorded, produced and mixed at Hot Soap Studios during the Fall of 2019
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: LP ”Rinse & Repeat”
Abettor was formed towards the end of the summer of 2013 with aspirations of pushing the rock music envelope not only in Cyprus, but also abroad. The band was originally composed of guitarist and vocalist, Andreas Matheou, lead vocalist, Manolis Manoli, bass guitarist, Pavlos Papadopoulos, guitarist, Euripides Karaolis and drummer Stefanos Meletiou. The band went through a reconfiguration in late 2014 with drummer Julien Neiklot replacing Stefanos Meletiou.
Abettor are devoted to writing original compositions, spanning from churning rock riffs and melodic hooks to more elaborate rhythmic patterns and ambient sounds. Abettor share the vision of combining older, traditional rock sounds with more progressive and modern elements, fusing heavy music with other non-stereotypical music genres such as Progressive, Grunge, Stoner and Trip Hop . The band extended its reach by performing live, sharing the stage with bands such as Universe 217, Planet of Zeus VIllagers of Ioannina City and Freak Kitchen as well as featuring in festivals around the island, such as Power Of The Night, Into The Limbo and one of the most popular music events in Cyprus, Fengaros.
Abettor are driven to further promote their original music with a lot more live performances with their fresh, new lineup. The intention is to implement heavier, thumping sounds and more electronic elements to diversify their voice.
Rajai Khoury – A Selection of Cover Songs (LP)
Recorded and Mixed by Andreas Matheou at Hot Soap Studios during the Winter of 2020
Release: LP ”A selection of cover songs by Rajai Khoury”
Rajai Khoury born in 1959, is a piano player, singer, and music enthusiast who enjoys performing cover songs for some of the most renowned music artists of our time, the likes of Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Willie Nelson and Tom Johns. The world’s classics live on through avid music enthusiasts like Rajai.
Monk Fx – Astra (Single)
Recorded, at Hot Soap Studios in Fall of 2019
Release: Single ”Astra”
Monk Fx is a 5 piece instrumental band formed in Larnaca, characterized by a focus on exploring textures and timbre over traditional rock song structures, loose and lengthy song structures centered on instrumental hypnotic space, a new generation of alternative/indie band that draw from psychedelic rock, space rock, ambient music, and — more often than not — experimental and avant-garde influences.
The Ladderman – Anything Goes (LP)
Recorded, produced and mixed at Hot Soap Studios during the Summer of 2019
Mastered by Bari Hadjikyriakou
Release: LP ”Anything Goes”
The Ladderman is an alternative rock band from Larnaca, Cyprus formed in 2011. With references in the progressive hard rock era, The Ladderman’s heady and thunderous roar is crafted using quirky melodies, bluesy riffs, tight basslines and complex time signatures. Since releasing their debut in “Not a Six” in 2016 and their sophomore album ‘Anything Goes” in 2019 they have been building their reputation through notoriously flawless live shows.
The Ladderman are Stelios Mosfiliotis (bass), Rolandis Lazidis (electric guitar), Stefanos Eliopoulos (drums), Andreas Matheou electric guitar/vocals.