A rare feat for a well-versed hand that has helped shape an island’s electronic music scene and now DJs from a pedestal, Valeron’s 2022 album Aroma frames Greece’s diverse musical history through a contemporary lens and acts as a testament to the current collaborative milieu of the island — a dance between Mediterranean and Middle Eastern instruments, all acoustic and recorded live, with the Mykonos native‘s hovering hand on mixers and synths.

The album is a passionate ode to the musical heritage of the Cyclades from a personal perspective, which comes as no surprise to Valeron’s admirers. “There is nothing more beautiful than the sound of music and the aroma of its soul. To inhale is to capture, to experience”.

This idea has implications concerning how the human mind works, with aroma being one word that we’ve coined to describe how we perceive what’s around us, with its roots in the Late Latin for spice. We take in our surroundings and relay relevant information to the brain through our senses. Is it possible for music to have an aroma, or for the imagination to perceive it in that way?

The opening title track is a reworked traditional folk song from the island of Leros that explores unrequited love. Over the next tracks, this reflection on suffering is tempered by downtempo psychedelic soundscapes such as ‘Eliana’ and ‘Noema’ that sit seamlessly into Valeron’s discography of floor fillers.

Multi-instrumentalists Gabriel Russel, Sophia Mermigka, Panagiotis Gotsis, Thodoris Evangelou, and Antonis Kaliouris — who also play regularly in Valeron’s touring band — feature throughout the album, embellishing each track with their own personal touches: from other tech-tinged folk songs such as ‘Rebetis’ to an emotive cover of Sting’s ‘Fragile’ and Sezen Aksu’s ‘Istanbul’, the album encourages the Cretan lyra, clarinet, oud, guitar, bouzouki, kanun, and kaval to follow a script that adheres to tradition yet leaves ample space for playful instrumentation.

A dedicated denizen of the island’s club scene, Valeron has his residency as DJ and his live band performing every Saturday at Scorpios Mykonos for a number of years.

‘Aroma’ marks the Scorpios in-house music label’s first album and Valeron’s second release on the label following up from his January 2022 E.P. Aminta.

‘Valeron – Aroma’ is out this Friday, September 9th via Scorpios Music. Pre-Save It HERE

To celebrate the release, Valeron recorded his live DJ set at Scorpios Mykonos for our Prima Lux series and we had the opportunity to chat with him. Enjoy!

WWD: Hey Valeron, how are you, how’s your summer been so far?

Hey! Doing great thanks. Summer has been super busy with lots of gigs and some intense touring, but I cannot complain. It’s great to be back on the road doing what I love. Thanks very much for the interview, it’s great to be here.

WWD: You have your “Aroma” LP coming soon on Scorpios Music, what inspired or influenced it?

Yes! So Aroma is my fourth personal studio album. The majority of the melodies were composed while we were performing live, and others were produced in the studio. The album’s concept/philosophy is the same as that of the previous albums — we blend electronic music with traditional instruments, ranging from downtempo to deep house. In addition to Greek melodies and songs, we also perform music from the Middle East, the Balkans, Latin America etc.

This album also includes two covers: one from Sezen Aksu and his Turkish song “Istanbul” and one from a traditional Greek song, called “Aroma”.

WWD: How important was it to bring your Greek heritage into your music, and do so authentically?

Very important. Although I guess you could say that I make electronic music, traditional Greek sounds (as well as those from the Middle East and further afield) and organic instruments are central to all of my productions. It’s the coming together of two different musical worlds.

WWD: In terms of sound and creative direction, was there a plan from the start, did you know how you wanted it to sound? What was the aim generally with it?

Yes there was always a rough vision. As I mentioned before, my music is a blend of electronic music with traditional instruments, so this album is a continuation of that.

WWD: What studio gear did you use, is that important to you in any way whether in the booth or studio?

Recording Microphone: Neumann u87

Sound card: UAD Apollo quad

Software: Ableton live

Various VST plugins from companies such as FabFilter, Waves, UAD, Antares and many more

WWD: This is your fourth album to date. Is the LP a continuation of your usual style or have you switched it up?

The style is largely the same, however the majority of the songs were written during the lockdown. At first I felt it was difficult for me to feel creative, but along the way I took advantage of the time I was locked up at home to create music with my band. This album was mainly created during the isolation period of the pandemic, which I’m very happy we seem to be out of now.

WWD: How did you find the process? Was it enjoyable?

Yes, it was a very enjoyable experience. I was born to make music, it’s in my blood, and that’s when I feel most comfortable.

WWD: What did you learn about yourself when writing the album?

From every recording and creation I am learning always not to be afraid to try new things, to adjust new instruments and music ways on each track.On Aroma album I have learned same things as the previous albums, me together with the musicians we recording all the Melodies that comes from our heart.

WWD: What else have you got coming up?

The release of my 4th personal album is going to be the ultimate highlight of this year for me and I am fully focussed on that right now. I’m also a resident at Scorpios in Mykonos. It’s a magical place with a great atmosphere, offering people a multi-sensory experience. For me it is the best venue I have ever played. Ιt enchants me both as an artist and as a visitor.

WWD: Thank you!

Thank you so much. I really hope you and your readers enjoy the album!