As a musician whose goal is to be unlabelled, it’s a tough thing trying to pinpoint exactly where on the musical spectrum Italian-based artist Luca Gasperoni lies. But that’s really where the beauty of his work comes into play if I’m being honest, and his brand new album ‘Album 03 – Fully blown’ only enhances that opinion personally. Trippy, experimental, dark, superb!
Intrigued to know more about the artist behind the sound, I was thrilled when Luca agreed to an interview! Talking with us about his early days in the industry, why he never wants to be appreciated on a large scale, and who he’s been listening to these days, please give a big welcome to our new friend Luca Gasperoni!
Hi Luca, thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us! I can’t wait to introduce you to our ever-growing audience! Before we get into the nitty-gritty, could you tell us a little bit about your musical journey? When did your love affair with music begin?
There was this girl at the skatepark, she was mostly ramp-tramping and smoking weed. She gave me a copy of ‘Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned’ by The Prodigy, and I got instantly obsessed with their sound and the electronic music scene. I used to listen to only psychedelic rock at the time you know…
I was about 15 when I started my first project. Somehow, a few years later, I got lucky enough to get a contract and tour around the world for a while, but I wasn’t cut for that “club life”, so I quit and worked a bit as a composer for Playstation videogames and then quit again.
I now work in a creative agency and basically spend all of my income to produce my music, and it’s damn nice! I am finally free to do what I want with what I love the most: music.
I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek of your brand new album. It took me out of my musical comfort zone and I couldn’t be more appreciative! I’ve really fallen in love with the album! Now that it’s out in the world, how proud are you of the release and who do you think it will resonate most with?
It’s very hard for me to be proud of something that I have done. I keep seeing mistakes everywhere, but that’s how it works I guess. It’s nice to show people your work, with all the mistakes it contains. It’s honest and inspiring.
I hope my music can reach introverts, and people who see the world in a very kaleidoscopic and singular way. I hope to never be appreciated on a large scale. I hope to be that weirdo who comes out with an interesting perspective. Nothing else.
Now, I know this is a toughie, and possibly like asking you to pick a favourite child, but which tune of yours from the album are you most proud of, and why?
I really like ‘Call it like it is’ and ‘The Storm’. Basically, because those are the hardest to label under a genre I guess. And that’s all I want for my music. I want it to be unlabelled.
You’ve mentioned acts like Massive Attack, Sade, Mos Def, and Portishead as being influential on your sound. Is there anybody else you would credit, or give a shout-out to, for helping shape your musical soundscape?
Oh man, the list is endless! There are so many people doing beautiful things, but well, let me just tell you the first few who came to my mind: A huge shoutout to Salem, cause their vision is so focused and detailed that I cannot envy them enough for their talent! Shoutout to Nas for his unreachable flow and delicateness in picking up the classiest beats. Shoutout to Lorenzo Senni for walking a never-walked before path in 2020. Shoutout to Noisia for their hard like steel creative ethic. Shoutout to Nils Frahm for his sentimental honesty…Does it make any sense to shout out dead people too? I mean, am I doing this for them or the community?
Ah, man…Doubts…
What aspects of being a musician do you cherish most? And on the flip side of that, what would you say have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered?
I do not consider myself a musician, and that’s a very convenient angle, cause I can enjoy all the best parts like listening to music and making music, and I have no downsides like dealing with promoters, labels or whoever wants to be fed by you. And, last but not least, I can’t deal with dark places full of people screaming and moving in unpredictable ways. I’d rather listen to music in the shower.
If I stole your cell phone and opened Spotify (or your streaming service of choice), who would I see under your recently played section?
Ok let me check:
The Silhouettes Project, Nils Frahm, Mad Zach, Kanye, DJ Shadow, Flying Lotus, and Lucio Battisti.
What is one thing about the music industry that you would change if you had the power to?
The industry is based on the listeners and how they spend their money so… I’d change the listeners.
Thanks again for chatting with us Luca! Before we let you leave though, what comes next for you musically?
Thank you for giving me space in your amazing outlet! It was a pleasure and eventually therapeutic to answer some of your questions!
I guess my future projects are gonna be ‘Album 04’! Probably a book of poems/lyrics that I can’t sing, and who knows, whatever I want, cause I’m a proud independent!
