Onirama | |
|---|---|
 Onirama backstage at Theatro Dasous in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Greece,Thessaloniki |
| Genres | Pop rock,rock |
| Years active | 2000 - present |
| Labels | Lyra Records |
| Members | Thodoris Marantinis Giorgos Kokonidis Dimitris Kokonidis Alexis Papakonstantinou Christos Tresintsis |
| Website | www.onirama.gr |
Onirama is a Greekpop rock band that has had a number of hits inGreece. They are known for their wide range of music, and party-like concerts.[1]
Onirama was founded in October 2000 from the idea of Thodoris Marantinis and Dionisis Prantzis after they met during their military services.[2] Giorgos and Dimitris Kokonidis were also founding members, and a couple of months later Kostas Karakatsanis joined. The band originally started off as a hobby, with the name "Mixing Up The Medicine" inspired by lyrics from a Bob Dylan song. The name was a reflection of the wide range of music they played.
Their first live performance was at clubMesogios inThessaloniki. Their concert and party-like live performances, quickly distinguished them among fans and people aroundThessaloniki, causing the band to take themselves more seriously.
In 2003 Christos Tresintsis joined Onirama and they began a series of appearances at clubs around Thessaloniki includingMylos,Shark,Rodon Club in Athens and several festivals. In mid-2003, the band renamed themselves Onirama as their band became more of a reality. The name comes from a Greek phrase "Onira Mas" meaning "Our Dreams".[1]
In October 2004, Onirama began appearing atMalt & Jazz with their signature live performances causing talk around Thessaloniki. Around the same time, the band began writing their first album and searching for a record label.[1]
In 2005 they signed with Lyra Records and released their debut albumDiskolos Kairos Gia Prinkipes (A tough time for princes) on 7 December 2005. The lead single "O Horos (Klise Ta Matia)" (The Dance, Close your eyes) became a radio hit and gained Onirama popularity,[2] while the second single "Mia Mera Tha 'Rtheis" (One day you will come) also became a radio hit.
In the Summer of 2006, they made appearances all overChalkidiki, while they appeared inAthens all winter long with Antonis Remos.[1] In January 2006, Onirama decided to change things up, and participated in an interactive musical performance directed by Rigos Kostantinos atTheatro Dasous in Thessaloniki. In the performance, the members of the band each unfold another aspect of their characters, while interacting with the audience.
In March 2006, Onirama was nominated for "Best pop band" at the 5th Arion Music Awards, while they also appeared withBle, Adrianna Babali, Vasilis Papakonstandinou, andMichalis Hatzigiannis.[3]
On February 21, 2007, Onirama collaborated withAntonis Remos for the 4th MAD Secret Concert.[2] At the concert, they sang many English hits, and fans nicknamed the collaboration "OniRemos". In summer 2007, Onirama and Antonis Remos toured Greece together.
For the winter season 2007-2008, Onirama successfully appeared alone at popularClub Cinema Live at Peiraios 130 in Athens with their signature live performances.[2] In March 2008, they entered the studio to record their second studio album.[4]
In June 2008, Onirama released their second albumKlepsidra (Hourglass) which reached number 1 on the IFPI charts and later was certified gold. The album also placed at number eleven on IFPI's Year-end chart forTop 50 Greek albums of 2008, and number thirteen on theTop 50 Greek and International albums of 2008.[5][6] The lead single "I Balanta Tou Trellou" (The crazy guy's ballad) instantly became a radio hit. The album also featured their firstEnglish song to appear on an album, titled "Maybe Tonight". The title track "Klepsidra" was released as the second single, and reached the number 1 spot in airplay. "Oti Den Exeis" (Whatever you don't have) was released as the third single, and as of November 2009, is in the top 5 of the airplay charts. In June 2008, they appeared at the MAD Video Music Awards. Around the same time, they were also voted the "Next big name" in Greece by MAD TV voters.[7]
Throughout summer 2008, Onirama toured all of Greece,[8] while in the winter, they appeared withDespina Vandi. Also, a major defining point in the group's career was on August 1, where the group performed as the opening act in front of thousands of people for international superstarLenny Kravitz on hisLove Revolution Tour, which was a concert inAthens.
On November 26, 2009 Onirama released a compilation album titledHoris Etia (Without reason). The two-disc album features collaborations with other singers covering songs from the band's first two albums, new versions of past songs, remixes, as well as some new songs. For the winter season, Onirama appeared in a concert series withMichalis Hatzigiannis at club REX in Athens.
In early November, Onirama released a new studio album titledSti Hora Ton Trelon.[9] The album contains 12 songs, with two of them being in English.[9]
All the albums listed underneath were released and charted inGreece andCyprus.
| Year | Title | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Dyskolos Kairos Gia Pringipes | — |
| 2008 | Clepsydra | Gold |
| 2009 | Horis Aitia | |
| 2010 | Sti Hora Ton Trelon | — |
| 2014 | Methismeno Tatouaz | |
| 2017 | Pop Art | |
| 2021 | Anthologio Gia Mikrous Ke Megalous |
