IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY (ΣΤΑ ΠΕΡΙΧΩΡΑ ΤΗΣ ΠΟΛΗΣ)
New Song by Miltos Pavlou

Music – Vocals: Miltos Pavlou
Lyrics: Stratos Fanaras
New Release by Protasis Music

Miltos Pavlou and Protasis Music present a new release, featuring lyrics by Stratos Fanaras, based on his poem Dedication – to Dimitris Triantafyllidis, with inspired arrangement by Sergios Voudris.

This is a song born out of a yearning for a better society, symbolized by the line:
"Every destination is but a station – and there will be no harbor anywhere."

It is a piece with two souls, a fusion of contrasting musical worlds. A Western-influenced jazz-rock orchestration — marked by electric guitars and bass — is irrevocably colored by the introductory notes of the bouzouki and its subtle support in the refrains. At the song’s peak, the traditional Eastern musical roots pass the baton to an electric guitar solo, only to return in the understated, contemplative closing, achieving a defining convergence.

Of two – or perhaps more – Greeces?
Of tradition and modernity?

Everyone is invited to listen and feel, as if inside a train approaching the next station.

Credits
Music – Vocals: Miltos Pavlou
Lyrics: Stratos Fanaras
Arrangement: Sergios Voudris
Bouzouki: Thodoris Petropoulos
Keys – Bass – Guitars: Sergios Voudris
Mix – Mastering: Stavros Georgiopoulos @ Diskex Studio
Vocal Recordings: Studio Altāria @ Bruckhaufen, Vienna (AT)

Cover artwork: Destinations by the painter and friend Yannis Adamakis, generously offered for the release.

Miltos Pavlou’s artistic activity is non-profit. Any potential proceeds are donated to organizations supporting human rights and socially excluded groups in Greece and around the world.

Lyrics (translated)
There were many difficult moments
The journey was long and demanding
Yet never once did we hesitate
Our reasons never blurred

Now that we’ve entered the outskirts of the city
And the train approaches the station
This is what runs through my mind:

Just one station lies ahead for us
There will be no harbor, anywhere

A Word from Miltos Pavlou
“Stratos and I share mutual respect from our past successful collaborations in the field of research. The creation of this song has its own small story. Toward the end of 2024, at the dawn of a new year overshadowed by a dystopian global atmosphere, I turned once again to Stratos’ poetry for reconciliation, inspiration, and transcendence.

Within minutes, with a guitar in hand, Dedication was born. I recorded it and sent it to him. We exchanged thoughts about small lyric changes, and about the cover art. The painting is by Yannis Adamakis — whom I’ve only met through calls and online. But you instantly recognize who you resonate with.

Sergios and I have been working on many songs lately — we understand each other musically. When I sent him the recording as a New Year’s greeting, he surprised me with a stunning arrangement. And jokingly, we thought, ‘What if we added a bouzouki?’ — since I had spoken about the poem’s meaning to me and the idea of the two (or more) Greeces. We tried it, and the rest is history — especially with the extraordinary performance of Thodoris Petropoulos on bouzouki, which elevated the song even further.

Even from afar — in Vienna — this piece allowed me to connect with people I admire.
After all, what else matters in this brief life?
The people we meet, the connection with values and art, understanding, imagination, and creation — all in pursuit of a better world.”

Miltos Pavlou, Vienna 20/5/2025

Listen:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4dt6MJ5

iTunes/ Apple music: https://apple.co/45n806p

Deezer: https://bit.ly/4jibIl3

Youtube: https://youtu.be/djtoKDrFtRc

Follow Miltos Pavlou:
Website (CD orders): miltospavlou.art

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https://www.youtube.com/@miltospavlou

https://instagram.com/miltos_pavlou

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/MiltosPavlou