Today we’d like to introduce you to Athan Hilaki
Hi Athan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Athan Hilaki—first and foremost, I’m a singer, musician, and songwriter. Beyond that, I’m also a streamer, agency owner, and IT consultant. It might seem like a lot, but to me, creativity and technology are deeply connected.
I’ve been recording and performing music for over 20 years. It all started in Greece when I was a kid. My uncle owned a bar with live music, but every time the band came in, they never let me touch their instruments—a frustrating reality for a young aspiring musician! Music was always part of my home, though. My dad was a radio DJ (apparently a pretty popular one back in the day), and I only recently learned that my mom used to sing at street fairs.
For years, I wanted to play an instrument. When I was 14, my uncle gave me my first keyboard. A year later, my neighbor broke his guitar during an argument with his wife. I begged my dad to fix it, and he did—though the strings were so high off the frets that playing it made my fingers bleed. That didn’t stop me. A year after that, my mom found me a guitar teacher, and I finally started learning properly. At 17, I bought my first electric guitar, and that’s when songwriting truly began for me.
In 2008, I moved to New York City, performing at iconic venues like Webster Hall, Knitting Factory, Gramercy Theatre, Highline Ballroom, The Bitter End, and many more. I toured the East Coast multiple times before relocating to Los Angeles in 2020.
When the pandemic shut down live shows, I turned to live streaming as the next best way to connect with fans. I was fortunate to meet the right people, join a major streaming platform like BIGO LIVE, and perform daily. That journey led me to rank among the top 100 U.S. streamers on the app, become a brand ambassador, and pioneer as one of the first VR live music performers in the world on PICO XR.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being an artist is anything but a paved road lined with roses. It’s a winding, unpredictable journey filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. The music industry has evolved drastically since I started—and even more so before me—constantly reshaping itself with new technologies, trends, and business models.
One thing that hasn’t changed? The power of networking. Knowing the right people is arguably the most important factor in building a career, just like in any other field. There are countless incredibly talented musicians who remain undiscovered, while others achieve massive success without necessarily having exceptional talent.
Today, being a musician isn’t just about making music. You have to be your own producer, recording engineer, graphic designer, social media strategist, and marketing expert—all while staying creative and true to your artistry. It’s a balancing act between passion and business, and those who master both are the ones who thrive.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
During my years in Greece, I started with my first band, Athor, before joining GAD as a guitarist and backing vocalist. With GAD, we placed in the Top 3 of the Coca-Cola Soundwave Greek national competition, which opened the door to an incredible opportunity to share the stage with artists such as The Killers, The Prodigy, Nouvelle Vague, Duffy, Iggy Pop, Raining Pleasure, and more.
Later, in New York, I fronted Trapped In Static, and in 2011, we made it to the Top 10 in the iHeartRadio annual competition. Then, in May 2013, we won the worldwide ArtistSignal competition, leading to performances at festivals and shows alongside Jennifer Hudson, Pentatonix, Wussy, Orgy, Crobot, and others.
Beyond performing, something many people don’t know about me is that I also compose music for film and theater. I wrote the soundtracks and did sound design for Preying For Mercy (starring two-time Emmy Award winner Martha Byrne), as well as the short films Through The Lockdown and Lost Happiness. In the theater world, I composed music for Greek tragedies such as Daughters of Troy, The Suppliants, and Cyclops, all performed by the American Thymele Theater.
Throughout my career, I’ve released a Greek album with Athor, three albums with GAD, three solo albums, and one album plus six singles with Trapped In Static—all available on major streaming platforms. I’ve also collaborated as a producer and songwriter with various artists in the U.S. and overseas.
Right now, I’m working on a lot of exciting new music. One project leans into an electronic-driven sound with multiple collaborations, while the other explores a more alternative indie direction. Both are fresh, dynamic, and creatively fulfilling, and I can’t wait to share them with the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck plays a crucial role in this business. You have to put yourself out there, make the right connections, and when you perform live, you hope to be in the right place at the right time—seen by someone who can help propel you to the next level.
Being in this industry for so long, I’ve had my fair share of both good and bad luck. There were moments when things aligned perfectly and others when setbacks felt overwhelming. But at the end of the day, I’m grateful that I still get to do what I love. More importantly, I continue to grow—not just as an artist, but as a human being. Because while luck can open doors, it’s persistence, passion, and resilience that keep you moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://athanlive.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/athanlive
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/athanlive
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/athanlive
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/athanlive
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@athanlive
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/athanlive
- Other: https://www.bigolive.tv/athanislive
Image Credits
Alex Agisilaou
Emily Rentz
Manny Oquendo
Edson Ochoa
