Eve and George – Byzantine Time Machine
Tell us more about yourself & your music career?
Formed in 2013, Byzantine Time Machine came to life through the creative partnership of Eve and George Lawler, a married couple deeply entrenched in Chicago’s diverse music scene. Their repertoire has spanned the sounds of Greece, Turkey, the Balkans, the Middle East, and beyond. Additionally, they’ve delved into the sounds of ancient Byzantium alongside “The Newberry Consort,” an early music ensemble in Chicago. They have explored Middle Eastern music, guided by Tunisian master percussionist Najib Bhari. For a decade, they also served as music directors for the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society, immersing themselves in the realm of Greek folk music. George has always been into underground dance music in Chicago and has played live house music, drum and bass, and hip-hop in a variety of bands over the years. Fusing their love for folk music and electronic genres, Eve and George conceived Byzantine Time Machine.
Tell Us More About Your Release?
Byzantine Time Machine’s new EP, “Reflections of Lyra,” embodies our motto of infusing ancient musical traditions into the dynamic world of electronic music, in this case, house music. You’ll hear our signature Turkish clarinet, Greek dulcimer, and Middle Eastern percussion woven seamlessly into a tapestry of lush synths and ethereal textures.
“Reflections of Lyra” is a poetic reference to an ancient musical instrument, the Lyra, played by the mythical Orpheus, and eternalized in the night’s sky by a constellation of stars. It’s also a tribute to Lyra restaurant, in Chicago’s Fulton Market district, where we perform on weekends with a DJ who spins a variety of Mediterranean house music.
What is your connection with Cafe De Anatolia?
Every weekend we create a musical fusion by combining live instruments with the beats of a DJ spinning house music. While sourcing tracks for our shows, we stumbled upon a revelation—many of the finest tunes hailed from the Cafe De Anatolia label. We used to say that it would be amazing if one day we released some tracks with them!
Can you share a memorable moment from your music career that made a significant impact on your artistic journey?
On a trip to Istanbul, we were extremely excited to see a performance by one of our musical idols, clarinet master Selim Sesler. We made a video recording of the show, and for the next few years, we studied that video ceaselessly, with Eve scrutinizing all the clarinet parts, and George analyzing the percussion. When Selim Sesler came to Chicago 4 years later, all of our work paid off, and we were chosen to be part of his back-up band! This made the world seem a bit closer and more accessible.
What do you believe sets your music apart from others in the industry? What makes your sound unique?
Being from Chicago, we have experienced and participated in the evolution of house music since its inception. We also love delving deeply into music from different world cultures, learning scale modes, rhythms, song forms, and using them in our music. We use a lot of percussion instruments that have been around for centuries, such as the darbuka, riq, and frame drum. Also, the Sandouri (Greek hammered dulcimer), which we use often, can be traced back to a Persian instrument from at least 700 BC.
Collaboration is a crucial aspect of the music world. Have you collaborated with other artists, and if so, how has it influenced your musical direction?
Thanks to modern technology, we are constantly collaborating with artists from around the world, most of whom we have never met in person! The resulting tracks represent a blend of two different styles of production that could never have happened individually. We usually start a track with a basic arrangement, melody, and rhythm ideas and then hand it off to the other artist to take over. Some of our favorite collabs have been with Sikada, Drum Spyder, Haquin, High Dude, and El-M3allem, and we have more to be released soon.
How would you describe your style of music?
We love folk music from all over the world and are always learning new songs from different cultures. We incorporate these sounds into modern EDM genres, creating a hybrid sound. We’ve imagined what trap music would sound like in the days of the Turkish sultans, made “surf-n-bass” remixes of Balkan folk songs, and juxtaposed modern with ancient sounds in the current EP of house music.
Where do you find inspiration?
One of our favorite ways to find inspiration is to listen to music by other artists in the same genre that we want to create. We enjoy visiting YouTube channels such as Cafe De Anatolia or Shivelight to get inspired by all the creativity in world fusion music.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?
Keep your creative mind exercised by using it every day. Even 5 minutes a day goes a long way if you stick to it over the years. Believe in yourself, don’t give up.
“Reflections of Lyra” – Upcoming release – Release Date November 17th, 2023