Ψαραντώνης

Cretan Folk Music Legend

Not to be confused with his grandson Αντώνης Ξυλούρης (2). Also listed as: Antonis Xylouris I Psarantonis Cretan artist [Singer, Cretan Lyre, Composer, Lyricist, Actor] Born at Anogeia, Mylopotamos, Crete, Greece in 1942 Brother to Νίκος Ξυλούρης and Γιάννης Ξυλούρης. Father to Γιώργος Ξυλούρης, Χαράλαμπος Ξυλούρης and Νίκη Ξυλούρη and husband to Κατερίνα Δουλγεράκη / Κατίνα Ξυλούρη. His παρανόμι alias Ψαράκης [family] / Ψαραντώνης was granted to his grandpa Kαραμουζαντώνης [also a well known lyre layer] in the years of the Turkish occupation where he moved fast and killed Turks like a Ψάρι = fish. He started playing Cretan Lyre self-taught he started to learn at the age of 9, along with his brother Νίκος Ξυλούρης and played his first event (a wedding reception at the age of 13). His first recording was in 1964 He has given live performances all over the world gainings critics and awards. Known for the special timbre of his unique voice and playing style he has made many collaborations expanding Cretan Music outside the boarders of Crete and Greece with artists such as: Δημήτρης Σταυρακάκης, Γιώργης Καράτζης, Ιωάννης Μαρκογιαννάκης, Χαΐνηδες, Γιάννης Αγγελάκας, Alex Kavvadias, Nick Cave, Ash, Vinicio Capossela, he has been characterized as the most "Rock traditional artist" In 2013 he participated in a documentary about his family & Cretan Music. titled Μια Οικογενειακή Υπόθεση - A Family Affair (Music From The Documentary)