Hello Lorenzo, how are you?
Well you can imagine I am quite busy. For me the post-release time is the weirdest one.
Congratulations on the release of “I Don’t Want To Live Without You” how does it feel?
It feels good. but, I mean, the wheels are still running, so I don’t know exactly where all this is heading to. I know the song is a great song and it’s getting awards and is charting around the globe.
What’s the story behind the song?
No mystery that I was inspired by Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. But that’s only because that same kind of love burns my soul. I am quite sure love can win death. That’s the “Story” behind the song.
You recored it with Jeff Christie how did this collaboration come about?
My collaboration with Jeff began timidly in 2016, when I asked him for an opinion on the two songs written by him which I was going to cover in my album “Roses in the sky”: “Johnny one time” and “Inside looking out”.After that, I lost my mother the day of my birthday in 2020 and tried to see if he wished to join in on the tribute I had just written for her. The rest is history.
What’s your favourite memory from this session?
There’s not much to tell. It was a working session. The only thing I had in mind was to do a good job in exposing my feelings. So I can’t recall any special moments. I can tell you I was pretty happy when I heard my harmonies mixed with Jeff’s. That was surely a good moment.
You worked with a gospel choir on it as well, what was that like?
Well, that was awesome. Tomeka Pierce, Ksoul Bowden and Constance Devone are fantastic, and so is their manager Takisha Frost. Each one has a wonderful voice, taken singularly, but when they sing together, magic happens. We had a night session and I was closely following all the steps of the recording session, and I can tell you that this was a dream come true because I always loved gospel music. When I was a child, I usefully listened to Mahalia Jackson and Elvis Presley’s gospel production. In the future, there may be more collabs…
The video is very cinematic, who came up with the initial idea of it?
The idea was mine. The videomaker had his own and we quite met halfway through.
You are an artist from Italy how did it all begin for you?
I can’t place the starting point, simply because I always wanted to do what I do, right from the first day in which conscience supports me. I can remember the day where I formalized this desire, which was I guess 73 or 74, while holding in my hands the vinyl “Man of many faces” by Christie. Looking at Jeff standing tall on the left side of the cover I thought: “I want to be like this”, which eventually became: “I want to be a musician”. You know, I started singing at 3, playing keyboards at 7 and guitar and drums at 8, so, my life, if it was a movie, was just a spoiler…I started my performer career in 1980 as a drummer in a folk band.
What did you listen to growing up?
My parents had a terrific collection of vinyls. So I had a great choice: Johnny Rivers, Christie, Neil Diamond, Donovan, Bob Dylan, Barry Ryan, Marmalade, Tremeloes, Kate Bush, Olivia Newton John, Elvis Presley, Jan Matthews and Southern Comfort, Engelbert, Bread, Equals, Edith Piaf, Beatles, Eric Clapton, Yardbirds, Rattles, Smetana, Tchaikovsky, SIbelius, Manfred Mann, Gentle Giant, Stamford Bridge, John Carter, Brian Hyland….and so on
You’ve also gained very impressive awards in your career as an actor, what’s been your favourite project to work on in film?
It would be easy to say the last one. I have not had an extensive career yet, but the results I’ve got are encouraging – and it’s not finished yet, because my short movie is running in more than 50 festivals from here to 2024…
COVID impacted the creative industry in a big way what kept you motivated?
Well, my inspiration and my passion. I never stop writing, both poetry and music. So, in the lockdown days, I worked on things that normal life prevented me from and, among the other things, at projects like this last one with Jeff.
The last three years have been a time to reflect what did you learn about yourself?
I have learnt how easily I am misunderstood by people. And Also how evil and judgemental people can be. I saw friends leave and betray me. But I suppose this is the prize for being sensitive and open to the world. If you want to be a radar, as I am, you have to expect that bad things will happen to you and that you will suffer. In friendships I am very generous and I always try to share what I have. Which some people don’t like. So, If I have learnt something is that no matter who or what, I can’t renounce my path to the “Artistic Valhalla”.
Did you pick up any new skills?
I am a writer, an essayist, historian, novelist, composer, actor, singer, guitarist…never say never, but I guess there is already enough fish to fry…
What are you listening to at the moment?
70’s music. By known and unknown bands. I think there is a lot of great music which would deserve a lot more. Songs like Newspaper Man, by the Tate Gallery, or Rejection by Plastic People, let it roll by Pete Kircher etc. However, lately, I have been listening to Shadow Kingdom , by Dylan. I was really surprised by this album. He did it again. Each album is a twist and turn, because Dylan by now he is following his inspiration. And he’s free. He owes nothing to nobody. That’s a Paradise for an artist….
What’s next for you?
A lot. More music, more videos. If life supports me.
Special thanks to Frances @ Quite Great PR
