Hiza Guruma is an experimental rock band based in Athens, Greece, formed by George Sapountzis in 2021. The scope of the project was to revive the sweet era and aesthetic of the late 80's and early 90's. Primarily inspired by genres such as Neo-psychedelia, dream-pop, shoegaze, garage, and surf; the band’s sound plunges deep into spacy riffs, eastern tones, wet drones, chimes, groove, and laid back drumlines and percussion. Their self—titled debut EP is scheduled for release March 17, 2023 on Thinkbabymusic Collective; described as Earth Rock immersed with reverb tones and echo.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Hiza Guruma, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Definetly the sound of the guitar..
What is your creative process like?
Most of the time I come up with bunch of ideas that I think I could bring something out of them. Usually, the initial ideas begin with a riff or rhythm pattern that I get into, it starts from there. I then add whatever I can hear floating inside my head such as a bass or percussion, sometimes even a few toys I have laying around.
Your latest song is 'Day Dreaming'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
‘Day Dreaming’ literally started as a day dream. I found myself, one beautifull morning in Manchester, practicing on my guitar and just went into it, got lost for a bit and realized I was sort of a situation of being in a day dream. I had the main riff for the song and instantly kept playing it over and over, looping it in my head until finally recording it so I that I can remember it.
What was the most difficult challenge you faced?
The most difficult challenge was having to do everything by myself, such as playing every single instrument, singing, writing lyrics, producing and generally trying to be impartial about the whole thing and where it could be going. I was also trying not to waste time overthinking things, I really just wanted to capture the main feel of it.
What is the biggest mistake you have made within your career to this point?
That I should have reacted differently in the past, especially with certain people around me. I should have used my logic more rather than my feelings.
Are there people who help you with the production of the songs?
Yes! Well, believe it or not "Day Dreaming" was initially done without drums, but one night I had a conversation with my good friend and band mate from The Velvoids, Vice Lesley, who advised me that the song needed drums. And so I put them in, went back home and within a week the song had drums and percussion, it changed completely since then. That was a good shout!
What are your long term goals?
To become a better person!
Where is the best place in the world you’ve ever been to?
To be honest, the best place in the world is where I currently am now, in my home in Athens, Greece.