Biography
Elisa-Irini Vidalis, known artistically as CALMDOWN, is a multifaceted Greek-born music producer, singer-songwriter, and videomaker who has been making waves in the underground scene. Her unique blend of electronica, art pop, and trip-hop has earned her collaborations with notable figures like Howie B (Björk, Brian Eno, U2, Tricky). Most recently, Howie B remixed her single, “Seasalt Symphony – Part I/ Preface.“
Her latest project, “PRISONER K”, was selected for funding, enabling her to complete her upcoming album, “PINK“, the third part of her ambitious trilogy, slated for release in September 2022. This album marks a return to her roots, evoking the spirit of the island that shaped her and the journey that followed. It encapsulates her deep connection to the elements of water and light, both integral themes throughout the album.
“PINK” transports listeners through a spectrum of emotions: joy, magic, liberation, unease, decisiveness, and ultimate relaxation. With a hauntingly beautiful combination of instruments—orgel, harp, waterphone, crickets, and beats—the songs are sung in both Greek and English, delving into her battles with Impostor Syndrome, self-love, and breaking free from anything or anyone who dims her inner light.
The trilogy, titled “PRISONER K”, is a wordplay on the concept of PINK—a color that doesn’t exist as part of the light spectrum but is instead created in the mind. This symbolizes the freedom of being, something deeply personal and already within each of us. For CALMDOWN, PINK represents liberation, seen often in water and light, and is a metaphor for inner transformation and self-expression.
A one-woman powerhouse, CALMDOWN has been independently producing her music since 2012, with her 2018 album “CALMDOWN AIRLINES” earning her a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Listen to Berlin – Music Awards. Sharing the stage with acts like Alice Phoebe Lou, CALMDOWN toured Europe from 2018-2019, supporting bands like Seed to Tree and Grey Paris.
Her live performances—whether at festivals like Fusion Festival, Berlin Circus Festival, or showcases like Berlinale—are a tsunami of raw energy and emotion. Her sound, a mix of trip-hop, downtempo, blues, and jazzy pop elements, is unmistakable, with haunting melodies and intricate beats driven by her calm yet powerful voice, often accompanied by piano.
Despite never taking formal singing lessons, CALMDOWN’s natural talent shines through, a journey that began in the streets of Berlin, where she found her voice during late-night walks. Since 2009, she has called Berlin home, and it’s there that her project, CALMDOWN, was born in 2012.