Solo artist / Guitarist – InDominance
The Metal Pit had the pleasure to interview one of Europe’s most talented and well-respected guitarists Kiriakos Bouloubasis (also known as Kiriakos GP). Kiriakos GP is a multi-awarded solo virtuoso artist. Also one of the nicest people you could meet in the industry. From his early years until now, he has played the guitar. He has been participating in innumerable workshops, live performances, and supporting acts. Kiriakos has now developed into a highly sought-after seasoned, and well-known performer. He is also the lead guitarist and composer for the heavy/progressive metal group INDOMINANCE. Ladies and Gentlemen, Kiriakos GP…
What inspired you to become a guitarist and musician?
The guitar has always been an iconic instrument to me since I was a kid. The story begins back in 1998 when a few of my classmates started guitar lessons in a new music school that opened its doors in the place where I grew up. I took the opportunity and started classical guitar lessons.
Who are some of your top musical influences?
The reason why Ι switched from classical guitar to electric guitar was Carlos Santana. In my teen years, I was introduced to records from bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Black Sabbath, and AC/DC. Later, I studied guitarists like Gary Moore, Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Michael Romeo, Jeff Loomis, Andy James, John Petrucci, and Steve Vai.
Have you ever participated in any music competitions?
Yes, I took part in several guitar contests. The most important I would say was the Andy James guitar contest in 2014. I came in first place among 861 participants from all over the world. That helped me in terms of exposure, while at the same time, I started professional collaborations with artists and manufacturers.
Can you explain the steps in your songwriting process?
I use different mindsets and triggers. Sometimes I come up with the rhythm and chord progression first, some other times I let the melody move forward and show me the way. Of course, there were cases where inspiration just hit my door, offering me a full perspective and clear structure of a new song or cover. However, I will write a new song only if there’s a reason for it to exist.
If you could collaborate with any musician, who would it be and why?
Nice question! That would be some or someone of the legendary bands or artists I grew up with. The reason for this is that feeling of connecting the pieces inside you, knowing that those artists played a huge role in who I am right now. That would feel like being a small piece of history I suppose.
Do you prefer to play music alone or in a group?
I enjoy both but playing and composing with other talented musicians and especially nice people is something unique.
What’s your favorite venue you’ve played at and why?
I’d say Thomann Sommerfest in Germany in 2015 because that was the first time I played in front of such a big audience.
What venue would you like to play in more than any other?
Never thought about it before but I would say Budocan in Japan and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
What does success as a musician look like to you?
I believe success as a musician can be separated into 2 segments, personal and public success. As a personal success, I consider reaching the point where you can express your musicality with no limits. On the other hand, public success is when you eventually make it become an influence on other people.
Can you tell me about the best concert you ever saw and what made it great?
Iron Maiden live in Athens 2018. That show was huge in every aspect but mostly I was impressed by the visual production.
How do you feel you’ve improved as a musician over the past five years?
I can see small and big improvements from year to year and that’s one of the reasons I keep going. Five years ago? I can’t recognize myself anymore when listening to the material I wrote 5 years ago.
Can you tell us about your metal band InDominance and how and why the band was formed?
INDOMINANCE is a heavy/progressive metal band I formed 2 years ago with the talented Christos Panagis on drums and Stavros Sarianidis on vocals. Later on, Kostas Apostolopoulos joined us on bass guitar. Our music is multi-collective actually. We compose using our influences and some of the most beautiful elements of hard rock and metal music both from the past and modern years. We collect, join, and experiment and this is how we write our songs. We have 2 singles/music videos out and we are working on the new material for our debut EP. We’re already in pre-production actually.
What was the inspiration for the video and the song from your latest song release, “Recoil-Attack” with InDominance?
Our director Panos Kountouras who has also worked with Gus G and Firewind is a very gifted and talented director. He proposed to direct a video showing social conflicts based on our lyrics in a more artistic way and we were ok with that. We love that video actually!
Can you tell us a little more about your new KGP Project?
I’ve already released 2 EPs. Running out of Time features Jason Becker’s drummer Atma Anur and Future Vision featuring Blind Guardian’s Marcus Siepen on bass guitar. At the same time, I work as a special guest or session musician with other artists and bands from Greece or other countries.
What’s next for Kiriakos GP (solo)?
I’m working on a new single this period of time. That would be something special and unique, a lot different compared to the previous solo songs. I look forward to sharing this new song with you. Probably that will happen next month.
Can you tell us about your appearance at NAMM back in 2022 and do you have any plans on coming to NAMM Los Angeles to perform for us in the future?
I performed at NAMM show in 2022 for the first time. Actually, I was invited as a special guest by the Anatomy Of Sound guitar picks. This year I’m invited again to perform at NAMM Show 2023 for the AoS picks and VegaTrem. Also, there will be one more show as a special guest with Wikkid Starr band at Stages Venue in Santa Ana, CA on April 15th.
If I asked you to write a song right now, what would you write about?
Sorry to disappoint you but as I said earlier there must be a reason for a song to exist in order to be written. But if the song is especially for you that would be one badass hard rock song.
Lastly *I try and end all my interviews with a little comic relief*Describe the purpose of being a guitarist to someone from another planet.
Guitars are the coolest thing on our planet. So, playing the guitar makes you cool too, right?
Thank you for taking the time for this interview……
***Photos used by permission.
***interview by Georgina Strilakos