Singer-songwriter Annis Rallis, born in Newton Aycliffe and now based in the North East, has released her debut single 'Stay' from the upcoming EP 'Eyes Wide Open'. The single, which dropped on July 10, draws on her Greek-Cypriot heritage and North East roots, blending Greek folk music with rock and country influences.
A Journey from Stage to Studio
Annis, 29, is no stranger to performance. She has traveled the world in dance and musical theatre productions, including Dirty Dancing and West Side Story, before becoming a yoga instructor in Bali. Since starting to write music in 2023, she has performed at venues like Stack in Newcastle and has been featured on BBC Introducing.
The Story Behind 'Stay'
Speaking to ChronicleLive, Annis described 'Stay' as a romantic song about connection. "I wrote this song on tour. It’s about connection. I’d got myself into a lot of relationships that I knew weren’t right for me, but you ended up staying anyway because you’d just kind of forgive and forget and the feeling of connection with that person," she said. "I think a lot of people might have that, where they know deep down or ignore intuition. Now I feel I’ve grown and I can see that. It’s about longing for connection and enjoying that moment and feeling of the high. It’s a very summer vibe."
Greek and Latin Influences
Annis, whose father is from Greece, has infused her music with Mediterranean and Latin sounds, alongside a country twist. "I’ve explored lots of different genres," she explained. "There’s a lot of bouzouki, a Greek instrument I’ve used throughout the EP. The bouzouki player on the tracks is actually a man from Darlington originally from the same town as her dad in Greece."
Family Collaboration on Artwork
Her grandmother, originally from Cyprus, painted the artwork for the EP cover. "It’s absolutely incredible," Annis said. "It’s massive eyes and all these people in the background and I feel like as I’ve got older I’ve just connected to the simple pleasures in life and what’s important and what makes me happy. The EP is about different acts of love, finding yourself, and being strong and it works so well with the painting which is now in my apartment in Greece. I also associate the artwork with the Greek evil eye and it links to yoga and spirituality and keeping away bad energies and love and connection - that sums up the EP and almost my journey as well."
EP Release and Future Singles
Each single cover reveals a section of the painting, combining to create the full artwork for the EP, which will be released on Annis's 30th birthday in October. "My Grandma has been a really important person in my music journey. She’s always supported me at my gigs. She bought me my first guitar from the car boot sale and she's my biggest fan and I love her so much," Annis added.
Annis described her evolving sound: "With this EP I’m still figuring out my sound and you can definitely hear more of it. I have this country, sweet, folky, Greek vibe. I also have this more gritty, rock chic vibe. My producer Dan Crabtree said to me, if you’re ever on tour you'd start off with a guitar and it’d be dead sweet country girl and the second set would be like put the guitar down and get the dancers! It's like Ella Langley into rock and pop."
To celebrate the launch, Annis held a music launch party at Slug and Lettuce Durham. She plans to release her second single 'Rise' about resilience in late August, and a third single 'Over and Over' later this year. "It's the song I wrote most recently and it resonates with me the most. I’m going to release it on my 30th birthday on October 16 with a big launch party and celebration. It’s a happy and hopeful song, manifesting things will be alright even if it doesn’t feel great now," she said.
Annis credits yoga for helping her connect with her emotions: "I’m really proud of the song. I wouldn’t have got here without yoga that’s really helped me connect to the feeling and depth of these emotions that everyone goes through."
'Stay' by Annis Rallis is available to stream and download now.
