Exposed Vocals just interviewed Spiros Maus

Armada Named Sound is a diverse and innovative electronic music project, in the sense that it embraces all subgenres of electronic music under the same name. London based producer Spiros Maus is the mastermind behind this project, composing, arranging, mixing and producing everything, and collaborating with various singers/performers. Visuals are a very important part of this project, and talented director Christos Mavridis has taken care of all the music videos. After the release of the “Starchilden” EP, a debut album is released in 2016, entitled “Electronica”, featuring three different singers.

Official Website: http://www.armadanamedsound.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/armadanamedsound
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfFURVALERhmE6i3tKi9UQA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/armada_baby
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/armadanamedsound
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armadanamedsound

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

 

Spiros Maus: I grew up in Athens, Greece. I spent the first and most important years of my life in such a stimulating environment, full of art in every possible way, that I think falling in love with music was inevitable. Now, I find myself writing and producing electronic music under the name Armada Named Sound.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

 

Spiros Maus: In general, I love words, and wordplay, as well as anagrams. At the time, the singer I was working with was named Andromeda, I added Maus to that and looked for a nice anagram. When I came upon Armada Named Sound, it looked perfect for several reasons. “Armada” as in the Spanish fleet, would be a symbol for “strenght in numbers” as I dream for this to become a great collective of artists. So, it is “sound”, “named” after the spanish fleet. In my mind it made sense. I knew people would definitely find a reference to Armada Music, but it has nothing to do with that, though I like being a trickster sometimes…

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Spiros Maus: Online music sharing is great. Period. Compare it to the time where we had to go around with demo tapes in our hands, and there is nothing wrong about it. I have shared my music for free in many occasions. It is there to buy for those interested, but people can also just stream it.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Spiros Maus: If it is a band, please do some human resources management!! Some people are great at talking, some at writing music, and some at doing technical stuff. Be humble and serious about your music, never undersell it or oversell it, be professional and take no prisoners. And don’t go for easy and quick success (if there is such a thing), you will only end up at the roadside feeling like a used syringe.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

 

Spiros Maus: Of course I do. Especially as the synthesizer is still relatively new to me as an instrument. I laugh and make fun of myself, people usualy enjoy that as well. Or I just ignore it and move on.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

 

Spiros Maus: I am still far from going on a proper tour, but I am trying to book gigs in as many places as possible right now, starting from Stockholm and London, as well as the U.S if possible. In the future I will come back with many entertaining stories.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

 

Spiros Maus: You mean apart from ripping off my favorites? Well, it could be anything, not just music. It could be a movie, a visual, a poem, a person, any kind of experience that makes me want to tell a story. And this is what I think a song is: a story. A short film, if you like.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

 

Spiros Maus: My official website is www.armadanamedsound.com, and I have even more music here www.spirosmaus.com and everything that is not “Armada”. I just released an album, and it’s on Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple music, and many other digital stores.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

 

Spiros Maus: I don’t even have an mp3 player. It depends on who is looking at your playlists to define anything as embarassing, so I can’t really tell. I would love putting a Spice Girls song there though, if I knew someone would have a look.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

 

Spiros Maus: Travel all around the world and gig everywhere. Eventually I would like to live for 2-3 weeks in different places around the planet, suck in the culture and meet people. That would really benefit the music on an unimaginable level.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

 

Spiros Maus: In my own space, I have one of the first quad core MacPros that came out, with Cubase 5 on it, an RME soundcard and Focal monitors. I also have a Neuman microphone and two lovely synths: Mininova and Bass station. I also have a Macbook Pro where I work with Logicprox as it seems people in London hate Cubase. Maybe because it is German… I would love to get my hands on more synths and some outboard equipment.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

 

Spiros Maus: I would really like to say here that there is no way to promote your music without spending money. I haven’t seen anything to prove me wrong on this. Word of mouth is very efficient as well. Then, you have all these “old fashioned” ways like gigging and getting airplay. I really believe getting a song in a movie is a great way to get massive exposure as well. I am trying to promote my music in all these different ways. Eventually though I would like to hire someone to do it for me, so I can concentrate fully on the music.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

 

Spiros Maus: Daaamn…We are never really prepared for questions like this one, are we?? I will go with impulse and say Michael Jackson. Why? Because he was the best.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

 

Spiros Maus: I just released my album “Electronica” so I would suggest that as a good listen to anyone interested in diverse electronic music which will take them on a trip. Now I am in the process of booking gigs, I really want to present my music live. Two music videos are in the making by visual wizard Christos Mavridis. Then I have this lifetime project of taking over the world, but it needs to wait for now.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

 

Spiros Maus: Worst case scenario: I’d be a criminal and a junkie. Best case scenario: Day job, girlfriend, kids and living for the weekends.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

 

Spiros Maus: I remember that the first albums I bought were on tape. So it was a few Black Sabbath albums, the Batman Forever OST, and Michael Jackson’s History as soon as it came out. Lots of excitement!!

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

 

Spiros Maus: I have made sure that I have no responsibilities. Well, I do have a dog, but nothing other than that. Having to pay the rent is a necessary evil, but that is all. So whatever is not music, I just do it and pretend it never happened.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

 

Spiros Maus: I will try to visit your hometown, wherever that is! And of course expect more music, more visuals, more collaborations, and the music of Armada Named Sound to grow and evolve even more, until the next album is made!