He calls himself self-taught and still doesn’t quite understand how he got this far. He plays guitar and Cretan lute (laouto), sings with a distinctive rasp that hovers between traditional and contemporary entechno (artistic Greek music), and treats the artist’s life like a marathon. At 30, Panayiotis Loizou from Nicosia may have had an unusual start, but he has firmly entered Cyprus’ music scene, ready and optimistic to share his new songs and let them “take their first steps” into the world.
He studied physical education, but as he tells P, he “turned artist” because the pull of music and the stage had been there since childhood. He never attended a conservatory or had formal training, which is why he prefers to introduce himself as a creator, performer, or songwriter. “Being a musician takes a lot of effort, and I deeply respect those who study and dedicate themselves to it.”
What made you leave sports and turn to music?
I grew up with good musical influences, and I believe they helped shape my character. As a kid, I was always trying to interpret the universe, to understand what was happening around me, what surrounded me, life itself. And I found answers, though I didn’t realise it at the time, through music.
I vividly remember my parents taking me to children’s plays and concerts. While I was there, I felt immense joy, but when it ended and I knew we had to leave, I’d feel a sadness that lasted for a week.
Later I realised that I wanted to make others feel what I had felt. It was a game in my childhood mind that I didn’t fully grasp then. I wanted to do it, and I never let go of that feeling.
When did you decide to pursue it professionally?
It all started at university. One morning, I woke up and said, “Today’s the day I learn guitar.” I borrowed a guitar from a friend and started experimenting by ear and with videos, no real guidance, just to see where it would take me. Within six months, I could play a few things, and that’s when I realised I was falling more and more in love with music.
At student gatherings, my friends would ask me to bring my guitar and play something. It started as a joke, but everyone encouraged me to keep going. I thought about it, but I didn’t quite believe it. Then one day, my friend (also a guitarist) and I had our little “rock and roll” moment and decided, for no particular reason, to buy our first expensive instruments. I still play that same guitar today.
With some nerve, we walked into a small bar in Nicosia at the end of 2019 and told the owner we wanted to play. He smiled and said, “Next Friday.” We showed up, and the place was packed. We played for three hours without microphones, it was one of the best nights ever. Things took off from there: cafés on Ledra Street and beyond.
Then, just as the pandemic began, a musician friend heard me and invited me to perform at a live-streamed show at Pattihio Theatre in Limassol, which aimed to raise funds for Cypriot artists.
That’s how I suddenly found myself surrounded by musicians and sheet music. Luckily, when I need to do something, I just do it, it happens. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I’d fallen in love with the world of music and performance. I realised this was what I was meant to do.
And how did the laouto come into your life?
I’ve always loved tradition and traditional music, so it was inevitable. I adore Cretan music and great performers like Nikos Xylouris and Giannis Haroulis. The moment I picked up the laouto, I felt like I belonged. Its sound is ancient, it carries our roots across the centuries.
What is it like to make a living as an artist in Cyprus?
Things are happening, it’s changing. There’s movement, but at some point, you have to decide how you’ll contribute from your own perspective. You add your own small stone to the foundation. If we all did that, so much more would happen.
Yes, it’s difficult overall. But beyond that, it depends on each person’s personal struggle, how willing they are to endure, to sacrifice, to go through hardship to get somewhere. There are many factors that make it hard: venues, opportunities, audiences, the size of the country. But a lot is happening now. I believe opportunities have increased and there’s real growth in music, from performers to sound engineers to conservatories. It’s a whole chain that brings people in.
I think we’re living through a historic moment, because there’s a surge in album production in Cyprus. It’s like a newborn, it’ll slowly grow and improve. The music race is like a marathon: it takes endurance, consistency, a lot of work, and of course, luck. It’s hard, but I’m optimistic. I believe it will keep improving. In the end, all good things are born out of difficult experiences and conditions, that’s where beauty blossoms.
It’s also time for the state to finally recognise artists and for us to see how this country can move forward. Society often believes we have nothing and that nothing changes, but that’s not true. There are remarkable people in every field here, who have nothing to envy from anyone abroad. We just need to believe in them and give them the opportunity to move us forward.
Tell us about your first album, which will be released soon.
The album is titled Δύο κόσμοι (Two Worlds), named after one of the tracks, and my personal favourite. It’s a project that began in October 2023, and we completed the recordings in summer 2025. It includes eight songs, each with its own story.
Together with my producer, Lefteris Moumtzis, who also handled the arrangements, we tried to connect songs that seemed unrelated and create a thematic unity. It may not be immediately obvious, but each song intertwines with the others, forming a continuous narrative. The production is entirely Cypriot. I had the honour of working with people I deeply admired. The lyrics were written by Vasilis Charisis, Elena Nicolaou, and Lefteris Moumtzis.
The song Δύο κόσμοι speaks about the coexistence of great contrasts in life: wealth and poverty, love and hate, life and death. It’s an optimistic song, with its message hidden in the chorus. Ο Αλχημιστής (The Alchemist) uses a biting tone to talk about human nature, how it’s never satisfied. It tells you that happiness lies in the present moment, in each breath, in human connection, in every second you live.
The album was a collective effort, Lefteris brought in songs he’d had tucked away, and I composed music with him. It was a journey of complementing each other’s ideas. It’s been a beautiful experience, like watching your first child take its first steps into the world, with all the anxiety that comes with it. The album will be released digitally on November 14, and vinyls will also be available for collectors.
My collaboration with Lefteris helped me discover more of what I can offer, and I’m grateful he believed in me. We wanted to give listeners something fresh, something shaped by the influences and references of those who formed me as a creator and performer. Those who shaped me musically, I love them and always will.
Your lyrics have strong social elements. Do current events influence you?
Since I was a child, I’ve always tried to interpret what’s happening around me, and I still do. I tried to express that through my songs. The lyricists naturally brought in social and political elements through their writing, so it all came together organically.
Some songs listen and respond to what’s happening in the world. As a person, I can’t remain unaffected. Since I have the means to engage, I do so through music, lyrics, and song. That’s how I raise issues, propose ideas, and express change.
How do you feel about performing at the Nicosia International Festival?
The official album presentation will take place on December 12. I’m honoured and delighted to be part of this festival, which features Cypriot and internationally recognised artists. It’s a great opportunity for audiences to get a full picture of the artistic landscape of our island.