Greek guitar duo share heritage with Wrangell Bearfest

More than just focusing on the local wildlife, Wrangell's annual Bearfest is also an opportunity to focus on the creative arts.

Whether it is judging photographs and paintings at the Nolan Center, a "Bear-oque" classical concert and fundraiser lunch for the Wrangell Chorale, local girls playing their violins during the Saturday market, or judges selecting their favorite pies, there were varied ways last week to highlight the beauty and inspiration that comes from living in rural Alaska. Workshops on photography and art were also a draw for adults and children alike.

Besides food, music may be the most universally appreciable artistic medium, and this year's Bearfest combined both last Friday evening outside the Stikine Inn. While the restaurant's chef, Jake Harris, walked onlookers through the steps of preparing glazed salmon filets on the outdoor veranda, the Sahnas Brothers serenaded the group from over at the dockside pavilion.

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, brothers Demitri and Thano Sahnas were invited as this year's musical entertainment for the five-day festival. For the past 35 years the two have been playing together, bringing with them their own blend of Greek melodies with a Southwestern flavor, performed on classical Spanish guitar.

"It's our Greek heritage mixed with our Spanish and Mexican heritage of Arizona, the Southwest," Thano explained. The brothers grew up listening to the rock music of the 1970s and 1980s, and learned how to play guitar through that. "We've got this old school rock thing going on. But when we get on nylon guitars, the music we heard as kids comes out."

The Sahnas' parents were the children of Greek immigrants, and were raised in a particularly musical household. Their mother's family had come to America by way of Mexico during the diaspora of the early 20th century. She had sung and played extensively with her nine siblings, and the Sahnas brothers attribute influence in their music to her background.

"Our music is kind of like cooking with garlic, oregano and jalapeno. A good ratio makes a great salsa," commented Demitri.

Their father had been a conductor, and had helped inculcate an appreciation of music in his sons. "Our father had an incredible musical ear," Demitri explained, getting a scholarship for music. "He couldn't play a note, he didn't have the physical mechanics."

Thano pointed out that he and his brother, while close before, were brought closer still by this shared love of music. "We started lighting matches together, we used firecrackers together. Then we started playing guitars together, branched out into these bands and all of these different things," he said.

"We were actually 13 and 14 when we were paid for our first performance," Demitri recalled. The two teenagers were booked for an event night at their local Greek Orthodox Church. "We got paid $50 for the two of us, and all the Greek girls screamed. And we thought 'We're done, this is it,'" he said. "We got such a response, we found our passion. It's been nothing but bands and music together since then."

The pair have been through five different record labels over the years, putting out 15 albums over the past 25 of them. Their earlier discography had them as part of a contemporary jazz group, with which they put out eight records. The two eventually branched off on their own, though the development of their Spanish guitar duo was unexpected.

"It kind of spurred out of someone saying 'Hey, you wanna play two days from now?'" Demitri recalled. He had been called up by Thano one Monday, with an offer for them to play the instrument for a local restaurant. "I haven't touched a guitar in twenty-some years," Demitri, a bassist, had told his brother.

Thano insisted they sit down and get some practice. "We sat for six hours on a Tuesday, developed enough of a repertoire for one and a half sets, and repeated that one and a half sets the next night."

Revisiting the music of their parents and family, the brothers found they enjoyed what they had developed. The Sahnas Brothers were born, and the two have formed the core of this group since.

"The band grows as large as six pieces if the venue and everything else will support it," said Demitri.

Working for themselves now, Thano said the arrangement has allowed them to focus on what they enjoy about playing.

"You've got to do it for yourself. Just have fun and play music that makes you happy as a person," he explained. "Only half of it is the song you're playing. The other half of that is you playing that song. And people feel that and see it."

The brothers held a workshop for aspiring musicians during Saturday's community market, helping with form as well as dispensing advice.

"Whether it's music or painting or sculpture, or whatever it is, be sincere and don't worry about making a dollar. Just make your art," Demitri reasoned. "It may take a lot of time, it may take sacrifice, but it will pay off."

The two finished the day with an evening concert inside the Nolan Center, playing live and unplugged. Their visit to Wrangell was their first to Alaska, and the experience has left a favorable impression on them.

"I love it, absolutely love it," Demitri said, after they went to Shakes Glacier. "We were just blown away, absolutely amazed. Not just by the scenery and the majestic beauty of the region, but the people are so friendly and the pace of life so real."