It had been a while since we last heard such honesty in any musician’s lyrics about their present, their wants and their generation. The musical duo of Niki and Olga Skiadaresi did just that, in the process also making life difficult for radio producers, who have had a hard time playing “To Tragoudi tou Malaka” [The Malakas Song]” due to its explicit nature. Yet, the Skiadareses song remains disarmingly honest and apt.

Earlier, “Pame sto Nafplio” [Let’s Go to Nafplio]” became a lockdown YouTube hit – and also their breakthrough song. A whole lot of hard work is behind the spontaneous, ostensibly carefree, colloquial and surreal lyrics of Skiadareses. Their self-deprecating nature is admirable. One could say it’s their way to exorcise “evil”. The twins say that all they want is to continue to evolve, write songs, and have a good time doing what they do. And that’s exactly what they’re up to, with a new national tour that takes them to Thessaloniki, Athens, Ioannina, Larisa, Chalkida, Trikala, Patra and beyond, as well as new songs they hope to have ready soon.

Skiadareses like the label of “Gen-Z pop” though they hadn’t considered it – they say it’s not annoying and yes, it might just be pop music for Gen Z. “This is what we’ll start saying we play,” says Niki. “It might even be true. We don’t even know how to pronounce ‘genre’, let alone which genre we belong to,” adds Olga.

They’re often asked if their stories are real. Turns out that although they don’t always recount real-life stories, “the lyrics are certainly real.” Howcome? “Each of our songs is everything all a tonce – experiences and fiction, and random thoughts or associations whose vibe might inspire emotion in us with no real reason, so we give them a chance in case someone else out there feels the same, also with no real reason,” Niki responds before the topic changes to self-deprecation. She says “there is nothing funnier than admitting our most guilty inadequacies. It’s disarmingly funny – you hurt and you laugh and you feel scared when communicating this. Complex emotions are always fun.” Her sister comments that “self-deprecation is one way to not take things too seriously.”

“I don’t understand why you’d get involved”; “I’m an exploiter who will exploit you before she’s bored with you”; “I’ve got subscriptions to all syndromes” – if I may borrow some of their lyrics. “You’re clearly warning him but he won’t understand!” I tell Skiadareses, asking about the rest of the song. “Take a hit on the head with the Kama Sutra, and you’ll be glad – it’s quick and easy!” Olga responds, in a heartbeat.

Then, we chat about Stamos Semsis, known and adored for his collaboration with Elli Paspala on the album To Nisi ton Lotofagon [The Island of Lotus Eaters]. Working with Stamos, the duo say they learned a whole lot. “It was something incredible, he’s someone who follows progress through time – or rather progresses with it,” says Niki.

Being sisters seems to work positively for the music duo, who don’t follow a specific songwriting process. “Sometimes you’re inspired to put together a melody but no lyrics come to mind. Sometimes you have something to say but can’t come up with a
melody. We write some songs together, others separately. However, the final arrangement and decision-making is always a joint effort.”

They’re categorical that they don’t plan on releasing an album. They “don’t make discography; they make hits” – which seems to give them more freedom. “In reality, when we’re making something, we have anuncontrollableurge to release it. We can’t stand waiting to gather material to put it all on a record. The way things work in 2024, I don’t understand the difference between a 12-track album and 12 singles,” says Niki, with Olga adding, “After all, it’s mostly online platforms being used these days.” Yes, they have received offers from record companies, but they haven’t reached any agreement, as the siblings are used to working alone quite well and aren’t interested in being tied down by a label.