Steel Notes Magazine
July & August 2016 sure is the language of music is the same . Everywhere I go we see some of the most amazing bands and venues . Especially in Norway , Sweden and Finland . The metal scene is far surpassed than anywhere else in Europe with Some of the most amazing bands . Amorphis , Soilwork , Gorgorath . But if you look at Israel you have Orphaned Land and Melechesh . Italy has Rhapsody and Lacuna Coil . The Germans dominate with thrash too !
Back to the US , let ’ s talk about your job and family there . I had the pleasure to meet your family and stay with you at your place . I ’ ll never forget your father , especially his kindness and strength . How did he influence your life ? I know he was a fighter of the great generation . I guess you ’ ve always been inspired by him . Also , he was Italian . What ’ s the one thing he taught you that you will never forget ?
A : To work for what you want and don ' t back down from anything . It ' s a sign of weakness . So to persevere you must always move forward .
Did your parents create an Italian atmosphere in your life as you were growing up ? What do you remember the most about your youth , in relation to your Italian roots ? Any particular party , holiday , custom that represented a classic Italian family living in New York ?
A : As a child they only spoke Italian in our house . Always at the dinner table and with with their friends . But when they went to work they spoke English unless it was with other Italians .
I have always seen a lot of Italian musicians ( or at least with Italian origins ) in the metal scene . Do you think there is a reason for this ?
A : No not really , metal is an international language . Where someone is from seems to have influence as well as style . But if someone grew up with thrash then their biggest influences are who their hero ' s are . Yes the place you ' re in also has a lot to do with it . Look at Maurizio from Kataklysm and Ex Deo . He is Italian and writes some of the most brutal shit I ' ve heard with taste .
You are now a veteran of the music business . You have seen the best years and the worst ones . How is the music scene doing right now ? What ’ s different from 30 years ago ? How did the economic collapse and the after 9 / 11 affect the business ?
A : it ' s tough all over , but that has to do with a weak economy . Also file sharing is killing record sales . Not the government would so something logical like pass a solid anti file sharing bill . But that ' s why we are loosing millions in publishing and mechanicals due to that alone . But it will get better . But overall we are fine , artists and record labels need airplay . That ' s what we do and we are and established company . Reputation is everything in the music industry .
In your opinion , is music just business or should it always be a way to express feelings and thoughts ?
A : No , an artist must always express their creativity . That ' s what it ' s all about , the music . If everything was generic then life would be boring . But the music industry is a business . You have to sell records so labels can continue to bring good music to the fans . To those that don ' t have compassion for the music they never last .
How did digital music change music ? Do you think all these technologies have been good or bad for music and musicians ?
A : Digital is genius , the technology is brilliant and so simple . It makes our job so much
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