For many artists, music is a way to process personal experiences. For Greek musician, composer, and multimedia artist Stefanos Barbalias, it has become a way to make sense of a world increasingly defined by uncertainty. Under his new project, A Taste of Salt, Stefanos steps into a fresh creative chapter with the release of “Safe No More,” a haunting debut single inspired by the fear, fragility, and disconnection that characterize modern life.
Known for his extensive work across theatre, video art, contemporary installations, and music composition, Barbalias has spent years crafting soundscapes that explore human emotion from unique perspectives. With A Taste of Salt, he embraces a new artistic identity, one that allows greater freedom, honesty, and distance from his everyday self. The result is a deeply reflective project that confronts the anxieties of our time while remaining grounded in raw human feeling.
In this interview, Stefanos discusses the inspiration behind Safe No More, the meaning of the project’s new identity, and his creative evolution.
Congratulations on the release of Safe No More. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and the emotions you wanted to capture?
Stefanos: Thank you. I was trying for a while to keep a distance from the news regarding the global situation. Despite my efforts, I think at some point, all this darkness caught up with me and became the inspiration for this song.
You describe the world today as a place shaped by uncertainty, fear, and sudden loss. How did these themes influence the songwriting process?
Stefanos: It wasn’t a process; it was rather a spontaneous moment, or better yet, it was actually a process that took place in my unconscious. It surfaced at some point and became this song.
The title ‘Safe No More’ is quite striking. What does it mean to you personally?
Stefanos: It’s a play on words, remembering the band ‘Faith no More’. Another striking title. Nothing more to it. ‘Safe no More’. No one is safe anymore. No matter what you do. No one is safe anymore. That’s all.
The track explores the idea of becoming emotionally fragile while developing “thick skin.” Could you elaborate on this contradiction?
Stefanos: Well, it’s hard to cope with this world without developing some kind of defence, thick skin, or whatever. At the same time, we all share the fragility of our common fate. It’s funny and sad that we cannot get along with each other in the short time that we are given.
Safe No More is the debut release under the A Taste of Salt project. What inspired you to start this new chapter, and how does it differ from your previous work?
Stefanos: I wanted to do this for quite some time, maybe even from the beginning, but didn’t really want to Google cool band names or something. I was waiting for something to arrive organically. It finally came with the title and theme of a new song that is gonna come out soon. There is something about distancing yourself from what you do. Giving it another name than the one
you were given. A sense of freedom. A sense of shamelessness.
Was there a particular moment or experience that sparked the creation of Safe No More?
Stefanos: No. I think it was bottled-up thoughts and feelings that came out one night with no specific trigger. None that I can recall, at least.
You’ve released several singles and EPs over the years. In what ways does Safe No More represent your growth as an artist?
Stefanos: I think in terms of composition, it’s more complicated regarding structure, but still manages to remain simple. Also, the production is more accurate and inspired. Those are my
thoughts, but alternatively, it’s not up to me to judge.
Many listeners may discover you for the first time through A Taste of Salt. What would you like them to know about the project?
Stefanos: I guess that it is a labour of love, honest as possible. But does it really matter what I say about it? I just hope they like the music.
Looking back on your career so far, what motivated you to reinvent yourself through A Taste of Salt at this stage of your journey?
Stefanos: I’ve always craved a distance from my day-to-day self. A disguise that would hold all my fantasies. Like a superhero. It would be great if I could ultimately disappear in it or behind it.
Any Dream Collab?
Stefanos: My heroes do or did the same as I: creating and writing. It’s a lonely process. My dream collab would be to keep working with musicians who quietly place the music they have struggled to conquer upon mine.
Message to fans and readers?
Stefanos: Keep supporting indie music. You have no idea how much it matters.
With Safe No More, Stefanos Barbalias introduces A Taste of Salt not as a reinvention but as a deeper expression of ideas and emotions that have long shaped his creative journey. Thoughtful, introspective, and unafraid to confront the uncertainties of modern life, the project offers a space where vulnerability and resilience coexist. As he embarks on this new chapter, Barbalias remains focused on what matters most: creating honest music that connects with listeners on a human level. If Safe No More is any indication of what’s to come, A Taste of Salt is a project worth following closely as it continues to evolve.
