Buzz Ayaz (CY)

Originally from Nicosia, the divided capital of Cyprus, and led by Antonis Antoniou, founder of Monsieur Doumani and Trio Tekke, Buzz’ Ayaz creates a captivating Eastern Mediterranean psychedelia. Their self-titled debut album is an urban, hazy soundscape composed of dub-tinged electronics, 70s psychedelic organ, rumbling bass clarinet, amplified folk instruments, ritualistic rhythms, and Greek and Anatolian melodic traditions.

The band’s members come from both sides of the city’s divide, and the music on Buzz’ Ayaz is a deliberate attempt to give voice to the city as a whole – a mercurial sound resonating across concrete walls and checkpoints.

Their debut album was released in August 2024 on the renowned German label Glitterbeat Records and received outstanding international media acclaim, reaching #1 on the World Music Charts Europe and on the Transglobal World Music Chart. Buzz’ Ayaz has already performed at major festivals such as WOMEX and ESNS, and has toured extensively, presenting their music to a wide audience.

Antonis Antoniou: electric tzouras / vocals / electronics
Manos Stratis: bass synthesizer / organ
Will Scott: bass clarinet / winds
Ulas Ögüç: drums