Alexandra Krstic
Imagine you’re strolling through vibrant Kreuzberg of Berlin, chasing sunsets over Copenhagen’s picturesque Nyhavn, and sipping a pint in trendy Shacklewell Lane of London. You turn up the volume, add a twist and you get mesmerizing psychedelic rock. It’s these distorted riffs, and sultry, Eastern-inspired melodies that define Buzz’ Ayaz.
This Cypriot quartet just started touring and aims to electrify stages from Tampere’s underground clubs to Manchester’s iconic festival grounds. I had to ask: what’s the secret to their rapid rise from a small island to the European music scene? We sit down with Buzz’ Ayaz to uncover their story, and we can’t wait for you to experience their hypnotic sound live.
Antonis Antoniou, the brain behind Monsieur Doumani and Trio Tekke, is at it again – this time leading Buzz’ Ayaz, a band that’s electrifying the music scene with their bold fusion of psychedelic rock and Anatolian rhythms. When Manos (a friend from highschool) posted a story on Insta with his new band, I got so hooked on their songs that I naturally had to learn all about them.
Exploring the psychedelic world of Buzz’ Ayaz
Cypriot music is making waves, and Buzz’ Ayaz is at the forefront. Their debut record, released this September under Glitterbeat Records—home to legendary acts like Altın Gün—marks a major milestone. Their blend of traditional folk with a psychedelic twist creates a sound as refreshing as a breeze on a hot day, or as they put it, “like an ayaz.”
Antonis Antoniou, the band’s frontman, explains, “Buzz’ Ayaz is a word game with layers of meaning. ‘Ayaz’ means cold wind in Turkish and Greek Cypriot. ‘Buzz’ can refer to air seeping through a crack, ice, or a distorted sound, a key texture in our music.” This linguistic interplay highlights the band’s ethos of blending cultures and languages.
The genesis of Buzz’ Ayaz: from virtual to reality
Buzz’ Ayaz’s formation is as groundbreaking as their music. The band started online, with Antonis Antoniou, Ulaş Öğüç (drums), Manos Stratis (synth and organ), and Will Scott (bass clarinet) initially connecting digitally before meeting in person. Antonis reflects, “Cyprus is small, and finding committed musicians can be tough. We were lucky to assemble a fantastic team.”
He first encountered Ulaş’s drumming at a Famagusta venue. “I was far from the stage, but Ulaş’s groovy rhythms pulled me in. I was mesmerized,” Antonis recalls. Ulaş became a key member, and Antonis also brought in Manos, a Berklee-trained musician, and Will, a British multi-instrumentalist he met during his doctoral studies in London. “Their diverse backgrounds and open-mindedness have been crucial in shaping our sound,” Antonis adds.
Defining the Buzz’ Ayaz sound
Buzz’ Ayaz’s music defies easy classification. Their sound merges psychedelic folk rock with Greek laika, Turkish folk, 70s rock, funk, and hip-hop. Antonis elaborates, “We draw inspiration from a broad range—Baba Zula, Morphine, The Doors, Velvet Underground, and Krautrock’s Can. At our core, we are a rock band.”
Their instrumentation is integral to their sound, combining bass clarinet, tzouras, synthesizers, and drums. Antonis explains, “We focused on camaraderie and experimentation. After intense rehearsals, we began work on our second album, which is currently in progress.”
Activism & unity: more than music
Buzz’ Ayaz’s music is also deeply tied to their activism, particularly in advocating for Cyprus’s reunification. Nicosia remains Europe’s last divided capital, a reality that influences their work. Antonis explains, “The opening of checkpoints in 2003 created a dynamic environment, fostering interactions between artists and the community. We aim to give a voice to the entire island through our music.”
Their bicommunal nature reflects their commitment to cultural unity. Antonis shares, “We’ve performed for Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot audiences. Although our primary language is Greek-Cypriot, Turkish-speaking audiences also connect with our music. Our band represents the island as a whole. Our activism is central to promoting peace and reconciliation,” Antonis notes.
Touring & connecting with audiences
Recording live was a deliberate choice for their debut album, capturing the raw, genuine vibe of their music. “Most bands use overdubs, but we wanted to keep the soul of the moment,” Antonis explains. This authenticity is evident in their live performances, where the energy between band and audience is palpable.
Touring is vital to their mission. Antonis stresses, “The entire story is pointless without audience interaction. We’re excited to showcase our music across Europe and hear diverse feedback.” Previous performances have been impactful, such as an elderly woman in Poland who said their music awakened long-slumbering feelings. “We were overwhelmed,” Antonis recalls.
Insights on their tracks: ‘Efdji’ & ‘Zali’
Two standout tracks, ‘Efdji’ and ‘Zali’, were particularly significant to me. Antonis explains, “These tracks are existential and personal. I usually write the lyrics first, then choose the title. The narrative can evolve significantly during the writing process.”
He adds, “Writing requires full presence of mind. Each word must have meaning and depth, imprinting the artist’s soul. This ensures the art is universal and resonates deeply with the audience.” Crafting lyrics involves encoding emotions to maximize the audience’s experience and create a sense of transcendence.
Moving forward: new albums & international tours
Buzz’ Ayaz is gearing up for a bright and exciting future, with their first international tour on the horizon. Antonis sees touring as crucial for their growth, saying, “We’re excited to test our music on diverse audiences and hear their feedback.” The band is also working on their second album, with new material already in progress.
Reflecting on the evolving music industry in Cyprus, Antonis observes, “The landscape has changed. Opportunities have expanded with technology and global connectivity.” He remains optimistic, affirming, “With persistence and focus, achieving our goals is possible.”
To emerging artists in Cyprus and beyond, Antonis advises, “There’s no secret recipe. Be true to yourself, discover who you are, and work hard with patience.”
Buzz’ Ayaz stands as a new symbol for innovation and cultural unity in the Cypriot scene. Their unique sound and powerful message are set to make a significant impact both locally and globally, as Antonis sums up their mission, “To create a brighter future, we must rethink, forgive, and extend a helping hand. This is what we strive for through our music.”
Buzz’ Ayaz tour dates
17.09.2024 – FI – Tampere – Klubi 57
18.09.2024 – DK – Copenhagen – Alice
19.09.2024 – DE – Berlin – Gretchen
21.09.2024 – PL – Krakow – Alchemia
22.09.2024 – PL – Poznan – Dom Tramwajarza
25.09.2024 – UK – London – Shacklewell Arms
26.09.2024 – UK – Bristol – The Jam Jar
27.09.2024 – UK – Falmouth – The Cornish Bank
29.09.2024 – UK – Manchester – Band on the Wall
02.10.2024 – SI – Ljubljana – Kino Šiška
03.10.2024 – HR – Zagreb – Močvara Club
04.10.2024 – BA – Lukavac – Centar za Kulturu
05.10.2024 – RS – Belgrade – Karmakoma
11.10.2024 – CY – Larnaca – Savino Live
12.10.2024 – CY – Nicosia – Antonakis Hall
26.10.2024 – UK – Manchester – Womex
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