Thursday, March 28Royal Holloway's offical student publication, est. 1986

Coffee House Session: Marios Panayi

Rosalie Falla chats with Marios Panayi after his Coffee House Session on 27 February.

The dulcet tones of Marios Panayi filled Tommy’s this Monday evening as the 3rd year Music student performed a mixture of acoustic covers and original pieces. Accompanying himself on guitar, Panayi caused the audience to pause their burger-eating and listen with his bluesy take on Bill Wither’s ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, Panayi’s favourite song of all time.

Panayi describes his music as both folky and alternative, acoustic and bluesy, this hybrid sound makes for surprisingly easy listening and Marios is clearly passionate about his sound. He is inspired by swing artists such as Frank Sinatra and the blues guitarist and singer, Eric Clapton, as well fellow Cypriot indie/folk singer Metaxas. Marios first got into music through his grandfather, who was an accomplished violinist: his musical talent clearly runs in the Panayi family blood.

With songs touching of themes of love and personal revolution Panayi’s original work is both deeply personal and universal, a winning combination that saw him support The Carnabys in November of last year as they took to the SU main stage. This was a highlight in Marios’ musical career so far and he looks forward to his upcoming gigs, the next is with Royal Holloway Gospel Choir in Founder’s Dining Hall.

Next on Panayi’s agenda is completing his Music degree here at Royal Holloway, then spending the summer recording an EP. The Coffee House Session audience were treated to an exclusive performance of his new song ‘On My Way Home’, an emotional track that we can’t wait to hear more of.

Keep a look out for upcoming gigs and releases on Twitter @panayimusic
and his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/mariospanayimusic/