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“Kastro” (castle in Greek) is a song written like a fairy tale. A story born through life. A documentation of friendships bygone, of castles and walls that we raise around us, like the fortresses against our existential fears and the unknown. Castles that fall and castles that in the end, cannot bear us.

“Giannis and I did meet in Crete, in Agios Nikolaos, at a live concert of mine. I remember that in the twenty minutes that the break lasted, we said as much as is not usually said – at other times – all night long. Unfortunately, despite both of us having the intention to, our conversation did not continue, although I believe we still had a lot to share. Since then, we kept in touch mostly by phone. When I wrote Kastro (Castle in Greek) I immediately said in my mind that Giannis should sing it. When he recorded it in the studio and sealed it with his execution, I was convinced that my initial thought was correct. His voice takes me back to my roots. Through his voice, which has the scent of ‘arismari’ (rosemary in Greek), I remember my tribe, their feasts and celebrations in our house. I remember with my grandfather sitting on his lap and him singing to me ‘Rizitika’ songs (oldest type of Cretan music), and Byzantine hymns.

I trust that this song was written for Haroulis (Giannis Haroulis) to sing. You see, it’s that ‘milo sas ntreta’ (means ‘I talk to you straight’ in Cretan colloquial) * of the verse, which in order to say it you must own it.”

Dimitris Mitsotakis

“With Dimitris, we had an immediate connection, in a very honest way (“ntreto” in Cretan native language – as “ntreta” above) – as we also say in Crete. How we spent time with: enjoying wine and chatting, was of those that tear down castles.”

Giannis Haroulis

Lyrics, Music: Dimitris Mitsotakis
Rendition: Giannis Haroulis, Dimitris Mitsotakis

Instrumental distribution.
Twelve-string guitar, acoustic guitar, baglamas, bass, percussion – performed and played by Dimitris Mitsotakis.

Photography: Konstantinos Papadopoulos