Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL February 2014 NAMM Issue | Page 39

I know you record a lot – very different
styles of music. Any studio recording
advice?
Please make sure that your phone is
off and not in your pocket. Then LISTEN
to the music! Do not just start playing.
Try to put yourself in a comfortable
monitoring set-up. This can be achieved
either by a good headphone mix or
monitoring system. Do exactly what
you are asked to do and then have fun
with the music…and play your own thing
anyway...ha-ha-ha…they will like it more!
Music is supposed to be an enjoyable
experience, try to find a way to connect
and get lost in the music.
Has your approach coming up with bass
lines changed over the years? Is it still the
same process?
Great question Andreas. I will tell you
this...when you look in the mirror, you
always look the same, however you are
always different. I always believe that less
is more. Bass needs round-deep notes
with a strong foundation. Get into the
groove…for real.
I believe that musicians should express
themselves freely. I believe that is why
people call me, since I always support
new ideas. If you have a different idea just
try it in one of the takes and give the best
of yourself every time. Don’t worry at all
about making mistakes…that’s the only
way to learn.
I know you are also involved in different
types of art projects such as architecture,
design, etc. Can you talk about that?
I was exposed to music since I was
three, either by playing a plastic toy piano
or touching any real instrument I had a
chance to put my hands on. The other

thing I used to love while growing up was
drawing.
After high school, my dad persuaded
me to get a “real job,” therefore I went to
study in Milan and got a Masters Degree
in Architecture and Interior Design.
Throughout my studies though, I was
gigging and enjoying myself with other
things like musical instruments, travel and
funny adventures. Additionally, living in
Italy, a land with such a strong, ancient
and historic civilization, you cannot help
but being exposed and surrounded by
art. Beauty is an essential element in art,
which is why I love Leonardo Da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Chagall, The Blue years of
Picasso, Van Gogh, jumping to Fellini…
love that!!! I’m very open minded so I’m
interested in and respect other ways
of making art. I just don’t enjoy lack of
beauty, proportion, aesthetic balance in
art…I don’t like the Guernica mural, heavy
music, crazy shapes and uncomfortable
architecture, and any violent art
expressions…I naturally feel comfortable
when a sense of proportion is present
so I can eventually appreciate “short”
moments of excess!!!
Moreover, Architecture has to do with
space, colors, volume, and emptiness,
consequently my extensive art studies
helped me understand music, as well as
music composition in a greater extent,
since they both deal with the same
principles.
I still design. I recently designed some
CD covers, some custom made furniture.
The big difference between Music and
Architecture, Design or Painting is that
you cannot touch music, you cannot see
it. It’s magic. For me other art forms are a
bit “more intellectual”. I do not like when
everything gets too intellectual, hence
FEB 2014 / BASSMUSICIANMAGAZINE.COM