Rebetika started out as music of the Greek underworld around the turn of the last century. It has endured and become the music of the Greek soul, often referred to as “Greek Blues”, perhaps because of the themes which the music gives voice to. The songs deal with the timeless issues of love, heartbreak, drugs, jail, illness, exile and death. In spite of the heavy nature of those topics, Rebetika music also maintains an innocence and joy, a love of life and passion which transcend time and language.

Pasatempo is a band based in Seattle, Washington that performs rebetika and other folk music of the Balkans both locally and nationally. The band is Christos Govetas on bouzouki, baglama, and vocals, Ruth Hunter on accordion, and vocals and Dave Bartley on guitar and often includes guest musicians Hank Bradley on bouzouki, Steve Ramsey on baglama and tzoura and Bill Lanphier on double bass.