Laertis is a guitarist and singer-songwriter originally from Athens and based in London. He has been releasing music that I write and videos that I usually direct since 2020. This passion for sharing what he creates has led him to perform in various cities and venues such as Colours in London, Folklore Rooms in Brighton, and Mellem in Athens.
Laertis’s latest work is this EP called FREE. It is a project that the artist has been working on while exploring the true meaning of freedom, detachment from social norms, and a quest of his own to find a better peace with the pure aspects of himself and existence.
“Travel Around” is a highlight from the artist’s recently released EP, showcasing the full scope of his refreshingly gentle approach to folksy rock. The slow-burning tune features sweeping vocals that acrobatically leap from soaring falsettos to deep croons, all while skating over glistening acoustic melodies that follow a similar line of expressiveness. Those intricate mood shifts create grooves that wash over the listener in a calming way, not like an ocean with its unpredictable roughness, but like a Spring shower that appears on your walk home. There is an undeniable and infectious expressiveness to “Travel Around,” and Laertis’s artistic diversity lies at its heart. Rather than relying on folk-rock tropes, the artist employs breezy melodies more akin to soft rock, blending them with captivating, folksy storytelling. “Travel Around” introduces Laertis as a genre-manipulator unafraid to use his powers to craft welcoming yet emotionally complex balladry.
