WL//WH Interview VALISIA ODELL
In anticipation of the celebration at Gagarin 205 Music Space on November 14th in downtown Athens, Greece, I spoke with Valisia Odell, former member of the band Strawberry Pils, who now performs as a duo with Aristomenis Theodoropoulos.
Valisia is a well-known figure in Athens‘ alternative dark scene, serving as both a DJ, artist, and vocalist. She is highly knowledgeable about her craft, and together with Aristomenis, has recently released the “Shadow of a Dream” LP on Detriti Records. So, this Friday, 14th, four of the city’s most edgy acts will take to the stage: Dramachine, Valisia Odell, Marva Von Theo, and Bipolia. Now, I’m turning the spotlight towards Valisia Odell.
Hello Valisia, and welcome to WL//WH. Let’s go straight to the hot news: On November 14th, you will perform at the Gagarin 205 stage in downtown Athens (GR) alongside three other notable acts. How did this celebration come about, and what can we expect from the entire team that night?
Hello, thank you so much for having me. First of all, I’m super excited because this project is still very fresh, and to be able to hit the stage of Gagarin 205 alongside these three amazing bands means a lot to me. Beyond that, it’s also going to be a night that really puts the spotlight on the female force within Athens’ dark electronic scene – a scene that’s alive, constantly shifting, and being reshaped by women’s voices, ideas and energy.
Will there be any surprises that evening? Without revealing anything, can you intrigue the readers and those who have already purchased tickets?
As I said, Valisia Odell is still a fresh project, so on the night of November 14th, our debut album, “Shadow of a Dream”, will unfold live with all the force, energy, and intensity that define us.
Are there any scheduled upcoming live appearances? If so, where will they be held?
Yes, things are moving fast. We’ve got a pretty full schedule coming up, with shows in Greece and abroad. So far, Thessaloniki, Crete, Cyprus, Berlin, and London are confirmed.
Last April, you released the “Shadow of a Dream” LP through Detriti Records. What are the stakes of this album?
Actually, there were no stakes. I’m working as a duo with Aristomenis Theodoropoulos, who has been a steady collaborator of mine for as long as I can remember. I’m also very consistent and aware of what I’m doing, both musically and aesthetically, so there was never a sense of risk involved.
On the contrary, both aesthetically and musically, there’s consistency and stability, but also a natural evolution. It’s the continuation of a long creative path, constantly enriched by both Aristomenis’ and my own influences, obsessions, and whatever fascinates us at a given moment. A natural yet intentional evolution that doesn’t drift from what defines me, but rather amplifies it.
Listening to the album, I followed the coldwave rails into synthwave soundscapes. I want to ask how minimalism can become exuberant and (super)abundant?
That’s actually the beauty of minimalism. It gives space for emotion and intensity to expand. You don’t need many elements to create something powerful; it’s about precision, about giving each sound its own weight and purpose. Together with Aristomenis, we build tension by knowing when to hold back and when to let things unfold. When those elements align, the result can feel abundant, even overwhelming, without ever becoming excessive.
What inspires Valisia and Aristomenis in the creation of their music?
Our music draws inspiration from mystery, the unknown, and the power to build worlds with sound, feeling, and imagination. And, of course, it always has a beat that makes you want to move.
Is it still too early to ask if your next music will be in the same style, or will you explore other genres that were not present in your recent LP?
It’s not too early; we’re already deep into our next material. The core will stay true to our sound, but we’re pushing further, with stronger beats and a more intense EBM-ish edge.
The lyrics and words on the album reveal and conceal certain facts. What inspires your present lyrical theme?
Our songs, like our other artistic pursuits, reflect elements of our personal lives, our concerns, our interests, our influences, and everything happening around us. Sometimes this comes through consciously, other times more subconsciously, but never in an obvious or literal way. Lately, we’ve been focusing a bit more on our personal influences, letting them shape the themes and moods of our lyrics.
photo by @spiros.karavas
As a DJ and artist, you’ve been part of the Greek dark alternative front for years. What do you think are the key elements that have encouraged independent record labels to sign plenty of domestic acts of the Greek dark scene?
Dark music has always been alive in Greece, shaping musicians who bring their own sharp, distinctive visions to the scene. There’s a raw individuality here – each act has its own identity and voice – and that authenticity travels. Greek dark artists don’t just speak to local audiences; their music reaches across borders, connecting and inspiring wherever it lands.
I would like you to tell us about a book and an album that you recently got hooked on, and why?
A book I’ve been meaning to read for years and finally got around to is “The Manuscript Found in Saragossa” by Jan Potocki. It’s full of magic, demons, religion, and a vast range of human experiences, constantly blurring the line between reality and fantasy. Exactly the kind of elements I love in a good read.
As for an album, it’s “Yinglish” by Gina X. The sound is addictive, bold, and unmistakably distinctive. I keep coming back to it again and again.
Valisia, thank you for this conversation. Last words on you…
Thanks! I’d say: follow your instincts, dive into the unknown, and always make room for a bit of chaos, cause that’s where the magic happens.
VALISIA ODELL will be playing alongside DRAMACHINE, MARVA VON THEO and BIPOLIA next Friday, November 14, at GAGARIN 205 Music Space in downtown Athens.
Keep up with Valisia Odell:
Photography by @aura.photography
Interview by Mike D.
