Lena Platonos

Λένα Πλάτωνος (Lena Platonos) is a Greek musician, pianist and music composer. One of the pioneers in the Greek electronic music scene of the 1980s, she remains active today. Lena was born on the island of Crete and grew up in Athens. She began learning how to play the piano at the age of two and became a professional pianist before turning eighteen. Soon afterwards, she received a scholarship to study in Vienna and Berlin, where she was exposed to jazz, rock and Middle Eastern music. She returned to Greece in the late 70’s and began working with the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation. She released 3 collaborative albums between 1981-1983 and her debut solo album in 1984. ‘Γκάλοπ’ (‘Gallop’) was Lena Platonos' second record that she solely composed, produced and sang. The record was released in 1985 and paved the way for Greek electronica of the 1990's. ‘Gallop’ was composed in the wake of a painful separation, and took several months to complete. Lena says, “It’s a study in the mythology of urban population of the contemporary metropolis and also a gaze into the future life of it.” The album is made exclusively using analog synthesizers and heavily features the iconic Roland TR-808 drum machine. Lena narrates each song, reciting her own surreal Greek poetry with unique skill. Lyrics deal with heartbreak, dreams, desires, and astutely predict the way that computers and technology would infiltrate our society in the years to come. ‘Gallop’ is an album ahead of its time, both musically and conceptually.