ALTERNATIVE

"In the near future, Mr. Musk travels to Mars. There, he encounters psychedelic enlightened Martians. They don't want him there. They tell him politely to get back to where he belongs on earth. They recommend to take care of the home planet first before venturing out into the cosmos with destructive intentions. The Martians agree, Musk is sus."

INTERVIEW WITH FABIO CICALA

(•)> Cru cru, what first got you into music?

Once I visited my relatives in Rome with my family, when I was a child, and my cousins could play the keyboard. They showed me how to play some tune, so I started to mess around. A few months later my father bought me a little keyboard, and once he noticed my dedication and improvements, he bought me a bigger one. But I only started to play the guitar when I was a teenager, after listening to Jimi Hendrix. Actually, I only started to think about music professionally, once I emigrated to the UK a few years ago, when I was a young adult. It started with an advertisement I saw on the window of an Italian restaurant in Fleet, not so far from London, after I came back from a jam session with some Italian friends. They were looking for a solo guitarist, someone who could play the classical or acoustic guitar to entertain the guests. I introduced myself to the manager, and he told me to come for a trial on the following Saturday. I got the weekly gig and to my surprise, the guests enjoyed my music so much they were calling the restaurant to ask when live music was in, so the manager hired me to play two nights a week, then three, and finally four nights a week! It goes without saying I became more and more confident, I started to build a fan base, and I started to write my own music.

(•)> What or who is your inspiration to create music?

I take inspiration from different things and even from people at times. Most of the times, I look inside myself and through the word which surrounds me. Some of my music was born from my personal experiences, some other from my fascination for the arts, literature, spirituality, history, and Greek mythology. For some of my tunes, I thought about an abstract idea, and then I developed the music concept. What’s all my songs have in common is they originate from a visual story taking place in my mind, where each chord transition is shaped into music from a mixture of colors and textures. I can say I mostly have a visual imagination, as I’ve been drawing and painting since when I was a child, and then I elaborate how to let these visual ideas become music.

(•)> How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet and social media are democratizing the access to the career of our dreams, especially in our geographical side of the world. I’m actually trying to grab the opportunities which internet is giving to any content creator, to be able to build a like minded community, and capitalize from my own work without any middleman. It’s very exciting to be able to relate directly to my own audience, and to my favourite artists as well! Obviously, sometimes you may find yourself trying to understand how the algorithm works, in order to get more fans and streams. Not to mention, the kind of skills you need to develop besides from music composition and performance, range from music production, to photography and social media marketing… But is also true that fairer platforms, studied specifically for valuable content creators and artists are being developed and improved, so over all, feels like a great time to be on the internet!

(•)> Will you tell us something embarrassing about you?

I’m an Italian who doesn’t drink coffee!

(•)> How is your perfect day?

My perfect day is one that begins with a plentiful breakfast, perhaps with Italian biscuits or French chocolate croissants! I prefer not to switch on my mobile or laptop for the first hour, to be able to connect to myself. Then it’s time for several routine exercises on my guitar, followed by a few vocal exercises as well. At some point I’m practicing the complex bits of some of the songs in my repertoire, or make little adjustments to my original compositions… And it’s time to go for lunch! After eating, I take it easy with a nap, meditating, or going for a walk; even better if I’m around the sea, a lake, or a river, where I can waste my time looking at the water and observing the passersby. The afternoon is when new ideas start to take place in my mind, but they only become an obsession craving to be played in the evening, so I perform some administrative task. Before sinking myself into the composition, I read or watch a few videos, then I’m absorbed by music till I’m tired!

(•)> What memorable responses have you had to your work so far?

I can recall several great memorable responses, since when I started to take music seriously and I was playing in a restaurant in Fleet, where several people told me they just booked a table to listen to my playing! Then, when I was busking in central London, I was playing a combination of virtuoso and simple arrangement of songs with my guitar, but I was impressed when people stopped and told me I made their day, because I was able to bring alive their favourite song with simplicity. Many people have told me my compositions make them feel relaxed, and finally, I got some very good feedback from academic musicians and composers, about my way of composing without wasting any note!

(•)> Do you see yourself as a music nerd?

Absolutely! Because I go searching for the precious, hidden gems, and find my way to unbelievable artists from around the world!

(•)> What album do you replay the most?

Since when I first started to play the guitar as a teenager, I’ve had an obsession for Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys!

(•)> What's your favorite movie?

They call me Trinity! I actually like most of the movies with the duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill, and I also like their solo works.

(•)> Do you agree with the Pigeon?

...As long as it doesn’t shit on my head!

"The Maze is about the psychological struggles of a woman and her conversations with her therapist."

"Recorded in her home studio, Solmi Kim took a unique approach to the recording process, infusing a vintage-like sound by adding subtle noise to the soft and cozy tone of the felt piano. Drawing inspiration from renowned artists like Yiruma, Johanne Johannson, Max Richter, and Yehezkel Raz, Solmi beautifully captures a reflective and atmospheric mood in her music. With delicate melodies and a sense of calm introspection, "when it rains" transports listeners to a world of good memories associated with rainy days, showcasing Solmi's unique musical identity."

"Getting Close is rooted in exploring human connection and intimacy. Whether it’s the beauty of closeness or the challenges and toxicity that can arise in relationships. With an neo soul-inspired core, the music invites you in with soft melodies, layered harmonies and smooth groovy beats. Laid back yet encouraging, they create a familiar and satisfying vibe. In their lyrics, Reb Parker is both heartfelt and raw at their core, exploring themes like power dynamics, freedom and vulnerability."

"So much of my childhood revolved around music and dance. Ragtime music composers like Scott Joplin were very popular then, and as a teenager, I would play many of those tunes on the piano, accompanied by my brother, a drummer. The music was fun and lively and made you want to dance. The piece "The Way It Was" represented a style of music during that period."

Leading this revival is the project’s focus single, "Let The Love In (feat. Anais Preller)", a powerful and uplifting track that embodies the spirit of unity and emotional depth. With its heartfelt lyrics and rich instrumentation, the song is poised to captivate audiences and serve as the defining anthem of Collaborations.

“Consuelo”, incorporates tracks originally intended for short film and theatre pieces, and embraces more typically classical instrumentation. On closer listen though, each track is interwoven with subtle uses of electronica and audio manipulation creating a through line with earlier Vault62 releases, albeit one that marks a significant departure.

"Ruby Francis is a North London artist, producer, singer, songwriter, and DJ with a unique sound blending '00s R&B, neo-soul, and jazz influences. Raised in a rich musical environment, she was inspired by artists like Stevie Wonder, Björk, Chaka Khan, and The Neptunes. Learning piano at 10 and producing by her early teens, Ruby developed a boundary-pushing approach to music."

"Midsommar by Ô Lake is a captivating neo-classical track that takes listeners on a journey through the delicate beauty of summer. The radiant melody of this new piano solo piece celebrates the most beautiful season of the year. Similar to the works of acclaimed composer Yann Tiersen, Ô Lake's "Midsommar" exudes a timeless elegance and a profound sense of emotion."

"Hate Me When I'm Gone, is a slow-burning, Motown-tinged heartbreaker. With soaring, emotional vocals, rich harmonies, and dynamic, expressive instrumentation, this track embodies the band's signature blend of vintage soulful rock and modern grit."

INTERVIEW WITH CARL LIUNGMAN

(•)> What was the name of the bar where you used to play the piano and which songs did you use to play there?

I played at different places. At a restaurant called No.5 in the Swedish town Lund, famous for its old university. I also played at a café in a shopping mall where the grand piano could be heard in all of the mall. I often played jazz standards like As Time Goes By, Misty and Autumn Leaves. I also played a lot of my own original songs.

(•)> What jazz record would you recommend me to listen to?

Check out the Swedish pianist Esbjörn Svensson's last solo piano album HOME.S. Wonderful simplicity in his music.

(•)> Is music History exciting?

Yes!

(•)> Do you still have shaky hands when playing the piano?

Yes, sometimes I feel nervous, but not at all as it could be when I was younger.

(•)> Why are the 90s the best decade for music?

Because of the mixture of styles and great melodic pop songs and jazz and post-modern classical music. The music artists back then, wow!

(•)> What great song from the 70s do you listen to often?

I can’t mention one song only. But if I must I would say Keith Jarrett’s The Köln Concert.

(•)> What's your favorite film from 2024?

Haven’t seen many 2024 movies, but I will say that Woody Allen’s Coup De Chance was okay.

(•)> What artist is underrated? And overrated?

Hard to say. For example, I think that we should talk more about how great the songs by The Doors are. We talk a lot about David Bowie and other great artists of that time, but more seldom about The Doors, a genius band. Overrated artist? Well, that would be mean to point out. But for me, Madonna is not as good as her star status tells us.

(•)> What's your most controversial music opinion?

I believe we have reached the peak of pop song making and from now on we only write the same songs over and over again due to the lack of tone material and harmonic chord combinations in the diatonic scale system.

(•)> Do you agree with the Pigeon?

Well, I don’t know what to agree on? If it is about your mission to promote underground music I agree! 😊

INTERVIEW WITH OREAGANOMICS

(•)> Cru cru Oreaganomics, what first got you into music?

This symbol is cute. Weird Al. Not kidding. He showed me a way to express yourself as an outcast is music and exposed me to a lot of music.

(•)> cru cru! I also really like my symbol, that's why I use it all the time I listened to a bunch of records from Weird Al when I was traveling through Patagonia a few years ago because I had just watched Daniel Radcliffe performing as him in "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story"! Did you see it? What's your favorite record by Weird Al Yankovic?

Bad Hair Day. I like the way it's mixed and the variety. I have seen the film. It's the beginning of Al being a legacy act I think.

(•)> Musician's biopics are the plague in cinema nowadays. So, yeah, I have to agree. If you have one, you're probably a legacy act. Have you seen a music biopic lately?

Outside Weird Al no. I listened to Get Back when it came out years ago.

(•)> "Amish Paradise" is hilarious!!! I'm more fond of his records from 83 and 84, but I remember having a good time with Bad Hair Day and Running With Scissors (and so many more!) What inspired you the most when creating "Everything is legal"?

The realization that it's hard to run numbers as so many things you would do are now legal and monetized. Also, it's more clear than ever if you're rich you can do whatever you want. So now it's like how do you hustle anymore? I have ways but saying them publicly gets used in courts.

(•)> "If you're rich, you can do whatever you want" - are you talking about CEOs of giant companies like spotify?

Wealthy or connected to wealth. I'll rest that case by saying, Eric Adams. Just get Trump's lawyer like Adams did.

"GIANFRANCO GFN is back with "My Sunday Morning", a track pulsing with the rhythm of your best memories! 🌿 Let yourself be carried away by joyful vibes, an irresistible groove, and the perfect energy to share a unique moment with your friends."

"Inal Bilsel is a composer and producer whose music blends cinematic storytelling, jazz fusion, and ambient textures, crafting sonic landscapes that feel dreamlike and deeply introspective. Whether through filmic soundscapes, experimental textures, or intricately arranged compositions, Inal Bilsel’s music is an invitation into otherworldly realms."

"Zachary Clarke is a Greek-American pianist and composer. His career is characterized by a commitment to pushing musical boundaries through experimentation and improvisation."

1. Hey Retrofitted, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?

Big Carlo initially brought the group together we all had a passion for rapping individually but never did much with it. Carlo changed that when he invited us to join him in the studio at first just to hang out but he encouraged us to join him on a few tracks. Little did we know those first few songs would spark a fire to the passions we had all along.

2. What is your creative process like?

With six artist underneath the title retrofitted it can be a challenge to organize a song. Luckily we are all pretty selfless and we work hard to make sure each person shines. Usually someone selects the beat we will use and either comes up with a hook or a verse depending on what they are feeling. Then they bring it to the group and we discuss who would be able to best fit the theme and vision of the song. Ultimately the group comes first so we have to be comfortable rewriting or subbing out on a song to ensure the final product is perfect. We all can't be on ever song but we trust in each other to make sure the spotlight is shared.

3. What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?

We would honestly still be working out regular 9-5 jobs getting wasted on the weekends and repeating the cycle. Music has given us a positive outlet to still have fun but create something larger than ourselves.

4. What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?

The biggest challenge is coordinating the group. We are always eager to contribute to the groups projects but there may be a better person for the job. Additionally it can be hard to coordinate with each other's schedules.

5. What makes you different from others?We stand out because we are diverse each of us brings a unique taste and style to the table. We all come from different upbringings and places. The variety of experiences we have accumulated over the years ensures that we have something that is "Retrofitted" and relatable to a huge range of people.

6. What memorable responses have you had to your work?

The most memorable response to a song we made was on a song we made for Pax Armani's girlfriend. Her dad had recently passed so we made a song to help her through the tough times. Hearing that something you helped create has been a light in the darkness for even one person is beyond rewarding. At the end of the day if Retrofitted can make life enjoyable for one person that is enough to motivate us to continue making music.

7. Can you write what was your best performance in your career? How do you remember it?

Our best performance was at the 2022 Phoenix Hip Hop Festival. It was amazing to conquer any fears we had of being on stage and bring energy to a crowd of strangers for the first time.

8. What’s your favorite discography?

Between the group Big Carlo loves Take care, Cevilian Good kid m.a.a.d. city OJ Stinz 808s and heartbreaks

9. What’s your favorite 70’s album?

A lonely man by the Chi - Lites and Off the wall by Micheal Jackson

10. Do you usually agree with the Pigeon?

Yes we usually agree with the Pigeon

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