Redeye Caravan – ‘Nostrum Remedium’: Welcome to the Wild West

It's time for a story… A Wild West setting, straight out of cowboy movies and gritty saloons, is what Redeye Caravan build with their debut album! ‘Nostrum Remedium’ is packed with stories inspired by one of the most distinctive periods of American history. It's time to poke our heads out of our hideouts (Ace in the hole)! Grab a drink and get cozy around the fire children…

With a strong flavour of the cowboy era!

Bands that are thematic hold a special, distinct place in my heart! They reveal character and a will to create something set apart. But when you decide to 'marry' the genre of music you want to play, then your intentions become even clearer! You don't want to stray in case it doesn't 'catch on'. In simple words, you're telling the world: 'That's it guys! This is who I am. This is what I want to present. Take it or leave it!'

This kind of musicians and bands deserve respect, regardless of whether we like their music or not. They show steadiness, grit and a will to create, regardless of the venture's success. And that needs balls! Big cohones!

Somewhere in here is where Redeye Caravancome into the equation! This is a band that moves within the country music style, steering it onto darker paths. They formed in the autumn of 2019 and, built around guitar sounds, started singing their own stories. Like every good story from the Wild West, that of Redeye Caravan is full of mysticism too. It's said (isn't that always how folk legends' descriptions begin?!) that one of these first stories was whispered by Akis (Akis Kosmidis – vocals, acoustic guitar – music) into the ear of Valantis (Valantis Dafkos – vocals, bass – lyrics). This particular story was the spark that set the band in motion. No one ever found out what it said.

The lineup was completed when it was joined by the 'alchemist' Panos Makoulis (electric, slide, acoustic guitar, keys, vocals – orchestration), the fortune-teller Eleni Paraskevopoulou (vocals), Stefanos Strongylis (harmonica), Thanos Giamarelos (violin) and Paris Gatsios (drums, percussion). Everything is now ready for the journey to begin.

Give me some wine and open your ears, for what I say I witnessed, with my two eyes

Faithful to the era, Redeye Caravan named their debut album in Latin! The title 'Nostrum Remedium' means 'Our remedy'. And that's exactly the aura the album gives off. The music, though dark, is remarkably soothing and familiar. It transports you to a world of imagination. Listening to the album, I almost feel like night has fallen, in some desolate area, under a starry sky, and I'm sitting in front of a fire. I feel like part of the Caravan, singing along with them. I wouldn't be surprised if I looked in the mirror in front of me and realized I was wearing a hat, boot cut jeans and spurs! Be careful you maggots!

A musical feast

The album's music has all those wonderful elements that bring to mind images from Wild West movies! The percussion is soft and plays a backing role in the tracks. Don't forget the concept: we're gathered around a fire, out in the wilderness of the American West, at night, making music with whatever we've got. Where else would you find drums in the middle of nowhere?! We clap hands, stomp boots on the ground and generally use whatever's on hand. The bass, too, plays a discreet role, giving the music more 'body'.

A wealth of stringed instruments completes the distinctive melodies! The guitars are clean and many of the riffs are played using the slide technique, which characterizes the sound of the American South. Beyond the guitars, the music is filled out with violin, harmonica and keys. The mixing of all these elements results in a very distinctive sound. The puzzle is completed by excellent melodic vocal lines, with plenty of body and accents that evoke natives of the American continent!

Stories around the fire

The songs on 'Nostrum Remedium' are thematic. Stories from nature, from myths, from spirits and from explorers of the vast American land. These stories end up leaving their heroes tangled up. On the other hand, the lyrics feel familiar to the listener, who feels like they're hearing accounts told by the 'elders' of the village or settlement. These are, in fact, campfire stories, containing dark and spooky descriptions.

Editor's Choice: 'El Muerto' and 'At Gallows' End'

Fuzzy Hound's first pick is 'El Muerto'. The song of 'Death' speaks about our attempt to escape the deterministic course of our lives. Speaking of choices and risky moves, the hero does everything he can to escape the Reaper, ultimately looking him straight in the eye. Its rhythm and melody are very beautiful, and despite its dark subject matter, the music gives off a happier tone. Finally, the chorus has a collective feel to it, since the whole band sings it together. Talk about songs beside the fire!

'Roll, roll, duck and cover

Little black bird is flying low

Roll, roll, duck and cover

Spreading its wings for the final blow

Roll, roll, duck and cover

Seeking in the dark for a head to fall

Roll, roll, duck and cover

Hold your own breath or you'll pay the toll'

The second song that stood out to me on the album is 'At Gallows' End'. A track that speaks about a man condemned to death, who recalls everything he's done in his life at the moment of his execution. The song carries plenty of deeper meanings. All you need to do to relate to it is simply swap out the execution for the natural end of a person's life. Through the music and lyrics of this particular track, the band offers an opportunity for reflection. In the hero's place, unable to do anything more to change his fate, could be any one of us. In other words, turn your life around, while you can. Musically, the track is very dark and brings Johnny Cash to mind quite a bit. Enjoy responsibly!

'Now we're here

The end is drawing near

Your hands hold my fate and soul

I have made my peace

And you must now decide

To feed the mob or save the beast'

Come on over to the fire and warm up!

'Nostrum Remedium' is an album with a lot of character. Its thematic nature plays an important role and catches the eye. But the interest doesn't stop there. Beneath the surface hide serious musicians with a goal and a vision for something we haven't seen before (at least not in the Greek scene). Every element that builds the album is very distinctive. The recording and production (by Panos Makoulis at Saint George studio, Agios Georgios, Boeotia) is excellent. It results in a superb sound, while at the same time the music gives the impression it came from a group of friends playing together in front of a fire. Finally, the artwork by Dinos Adamopoulos and the photographs by Giannis Konstantinopoulos complete the myth!

For our part, we feel like we're inside 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly'! From now on, our moves are dictated by Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone. With this album, the band firmly lays the groundwork for a new style in Greece. Redeye Caravan offer us an album that 'reeks' of cheap whiskey, at the very moment we, dazed by the smoke of the fire, set off on a journey from spaghetti western music towards country. Hop on your horses and follow this musical caravan!