Giulio Garghentini is a singer/songwriter who has been in the scene for around 20 years. After participating in various bands and projects, the time has finally come for him to release his so anticipated solo debut album. Grande Rock caught up with Giulio and had a very interesting chat about music in general…
Hey Giulio, it’s great talking to you dude. 20 years is a long time period… it’s like a dream come true, right?
G: Hi my friend! Yes, absolutely!! “Believe” has always been in my dreams, but now it’s real!!
Why do you think that it had to be 20 years in order to release your so anticipated solo album? Was it a matter of good timing and experience after a certain point or what?
G: Oh, I think that it’s a mix of all these things, but the real reason is that it’s very difficult to release a CD like “Believe” without the right musicians and a great producer. Beside this, I don’t believe too much in luck… this is the reason why I think that maybe I was finally ready to meet Mr. Percudani and the Tanzan Music world!
How was Mario’s help significant for you so as to go to the end and release “Believe”?
G: Really a lot!!! In the beginning I told Mario that my intention was to create an album blending all my influences. Not just rock/hard rock, but funky, pop, soul and so on. Mario was enthusiastic and we began to write songs together. He was able to find the right solution everywhere and we were not satisfied until every song played like a hit. The blues and professionalism of Mr. Percudani perfectly married with my music way and my rock attitude. At the moment Mario is also one of my best friends!
Did you choose the musicians that you cooperated with on this album? If so, then you have chosen wisely, cuz’ you along with Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Mitch Malloy, Axe, Issa) on guitars, Apollo Negri (Link Quartet, Wicked Minds) on keys, Gianni Grecchi (Blueville, Rusty Miles) on bass and Paolo Botteschi (Hungryheart) on drums have made a great music group.
G: Mario has thought about this and I will never stop thanking him for the choices he made.
How did the guys help you on the songwriting part and on the song arrangements? Was it a band’s work after all, or not?
G: The songs were written by Mario and myself. Paolo Apollo Negri and Paolo Botteschi have participated in 2 songs (“Believe” and “Love is Dead”). The arrangements have been in the old fashioned way in the rehearsal room, but most of the ideas came from the mind of Mr. Percudani.
How would you define the album’s sound?
G: Oh, it’s a very difficult question to answer. The album is a mix of all my influences and my dreams in music. You can hear a lot of things in it. All together they play an important role in creating the sound I need to feel my heart beat like a funky drum. As I told you before, I wanted to do a lot of things to really be satisfied. And “Believe” is the right answer to my needs.
What does the album title “Believe” declare? Does it have to do with your belief in rock music after all those years or what?
G: Very good question my friend!!! I’ll answer by quoting some words included in the title track: “Are you lost in your empty space? Are you living just for the pain? But what you feel is just your need… To Believe”!!!
Do comment on each one of the songs…
G: “No Second Chance”: For the hard-rock fans. Angry song!!!!
“Can’t Stand the Rain”: Groove, blues, melody and everything you need!!!
“My Jesus”: Very special for me! A letter to My Jesus explaining what I feel!
“Down the Line”: Are you ready to dance? Move your head, move your body!! The funk is here!!!
“The Words I Haven’t Said” (Where we hear Mario on vocals): A very special AOR ballad from Mario... it was a good experience to sing with him.. Different from the others… A diamond!!!
“Believe”: A mix of modern and vintage sound for the title track.
“Rockstar”: One of my favorites. A live song... Can’t wait to play it live!! Mario’s guitars are magnificent!!
“Sweet Hard Fighter”: An 80’s AOR song!! Melody is the kingdom of this hit!!
“Love is Dead”: Another diamond!! Very funny song with shuffle rhythm and a super melodic chorus!!!
“So Beautiful”: Amazing ballad!! Very sweet sound!! I love it!!
Mario Percudani produced, arranged and along with Daniele Mandelli recorded, mixed and mastered the album. Are you satisfied with the final result? I do think it has a “warm” late70s/early80s” feeling but it has a fresh overall sound without being “retro” or somewhere near that.
G: You explained exactly what I think about the final result!! I love it!! It’s exactly what I needed in order to be happy and satisfied with the production. The sound represents the way I feel the music in my heart!! No doubts about this!! (i.n.: Giulio is indeed a man of passion!)
As I‘ve written in the review your voice sometimes brought Glenn Hughes (the voice of Rock) on my mind and that comparison is quite flattering I think, huh? Do you think that you have common characteristics in your voice with Glenn? Generally, which are the singers that have influenced you throughout your career so far?
G: Oh, thank you very much my friend!!! It’s an honor to be compared to an artist like him!! Oh yes, GH is a very good singer with a great voice that perfectly expresses the wild part of his soul. And sometimes for me it’s the same…I like to let the voice express all its frequencies freely, without thinking of the sound, but only to the technique, which must be applied in order to leave the voice free, without any constriction of the body.
My influences are: Sebastian Bach, Bon Jovi, Terence Trent D’arby (Now SanandaMaitreya), Lenny Kravitz, Robert Plant, Axl Rose, Jeff Buckley, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Eric Martin, Chris Cornell, Mike Patton, Richard Marx, Kenny Loggins, Steven Tyler…
Have you planned to give any live shows in the near future so as to promote the album? Will it be with all the guys that are participating in it?
G: Oh yes!! Absolutely!!! We need to play it live!! The groove of these tracks needs to be expressed as soon as possible. The band is composed by professional musicians with a great professionalism, technique and sound. And I hope they will be part of the production and the gigs of Giulio Garghentini forever!!
After a 20-year experience in music what’s that “secret” that keeps a musician going on?
G: I think you have to dedicate your life to the music completely!! And that you have to fight every day to improve in playing your instrument and as a musician in general! When I teach singing, I try to improve my students and at the same time my voice and my body attitude. I live for the music and the voice for me is a way to live, not just to sing. So I can’t stop!!
I think that you have to creat something that evolves everyday with you. Like your production for example!!! Or a particular live show!! The real important thing is to hold on with the same project and take care of it also in bad moments. This is the only way to go on: The love for your projects and for the life in music… and for the people you meet on the road (they are my family)!!!
What are your expectations from this album? The first goal is achieved… so, what’s next?
G: I’m already satisfied with the album. It seems like a dream and it perfectly represents what I needed so as to be happy. And for me that’s the perfect start!!! Yes, the first goal is achieved. Next? The second album!!! Mario already asked me to begin writing something!! He lives for this!! (i.n.: Good! A new album on the way!)
G: Hi my friend! Yes, absolutely!! “Believe” has always been in my dreams, but now it’s real!!
Why do you think that it had to be 20 years in order to release your so anticipated solo album? Was it a matter of good timing and experience after a certain point or what?
G: Oh, I think that it’s a mix of all these things, but the real reason is that it’s very difficult to release a CD like “Believe” without the right musicians and a great producer. Beside this, I don’t believe too much in luck… this is the reason why I think that maybe I was finally ready to meet Mr. Percudani and the Tanzan Music world!
How was Mario’s help significant for you so as to go to the end and release “Believe”?
G: Really a lot!!! In the beginning I told Mario that my intention was to create an album blending all my influences. Not just rock/hard rock, but funky, pop, soul and so on. Mario was enthusiastic and we began to write songs together. He was able to find the right solution everywhere and we were not satisfied until every song played like a hit. The blues and professionalism of Mr. Percudani perfectly married with my music way and my rock attitude. At the moment Mario is also one of my best friends!
Did you choose the musicians that you cooperated with on this album? If so, then you have chosen wisely, cuz’ you along with Mario Percudani (Hungryheart, Mitch Malloy, Axe, Issa) on guitars, Apollo Negri (Link Quartet, Wicked Minds) on keys, Gianni Grecchi (Blueville, Rusty Miles) on bass and Paolo Botteschi (Hungryheart) on drums have made a great music group.
G: Mario has thought about this and I will never stop thanking him for the choices he made.
How did the guys help you on the songwriting part and on the song arrangements? Was it a band’s work after all, or not?
G: The songs were written by Mario and myself. Paolo Apollo Negri and Paolo Botteschi have participated in 2 songs (“Believe” and “Love is Dead”). The arrangements have been in the old fashioned way in the rehearsal room, but most of the ideas came from the mind of Mr. Percudani.
How would you define the album’s sound?
G: Oh, it’s a very difficult question to answer. The album is a mix of all my influences and my dreams in music. You can hear a lot of things in it. All together they play an important role in creating the sound I need to feel my heart beat like a funky drum. As I told you before, I wanted to do a lot of things to really be satisfied. And “Believe” is the right answer to my needs.
What does the album title “Believe” declare? Does it have to do with your belief in rock music after all those years or what?
G: Very good question my friend!!! I’ll answer by quoting some words included in the title track: “Are you lost in your empty space? Are you living just for the pain? But what you feel is just your need… To Believe”!!!
Do comment on each one of the songs…
G: “No Second Chance”: For the hard-rock fans. Angry song!!!!
“Can’t Stand the Rain”: Groove, blues, melody and everything you need!!!
“My Jesus”: Very special for me! A letter to My Jesus explaining what I feel!
“Down the Line”: Are you ready to dance? Move your head, move your body!! The funk is here!!!
“The Words I Haven’t Said” (Where we hear Mario on vocals): A very special AOR ballad from Mario... it was a good experience to sing with him.. Different from the others… A diamond!!!
“Believe”: A mix of modern and vintage sound for the title track.
“Rockstar”: One of my favorites. A live song... Can’t wait to play it live!! Mario’s guitars are magnificent!!
“Sweet Hard Fighter”: An 80’s AOR song!! Melody is the kingdom of this hit!!
“Love is Dead”: Another diamond!! Very funny song with shuffle rhythm and a super melodic chorus!!!
“So Beautiful”: Amazing ballad!! Very sweet sound!! I love it!!
Mario Percudani produced, arranged and along with Daniele Mandelli recorded, mixed and mastered the album. Are you satisfied with the final result? I do think it has a “warm” late70s/early80s” feeling but it has a fresh overall sound without being “retro” or somewhere near that.
G: You explained exactly what I think about the final result!! I love it!! It’s exactly what I needed in order to be happy and satisfied with the production. The sound represents the way I feel the music in my heart!! No doubts about this!! (i.n.: Giulio is indeed a man of passion!)
As I‘ve written in the review your voice sometimes brought Glenn Hughes (the voice of Rock) on my mind and that comparison is quite flattering I think, huh? Do you think that you have common characteristics in your voice with Glenn? Generally, which are the singers that have influenced you throughout your career so far?
G: Oh, thank you very much my friend!!! It’s an honor to be compared to an artist like him!! Oh yes, GH is a very good singer with a great voice that perfectly expresses the wild part of his soul. And sometimes for me it’s the same…I like to let the voice express all its frequencies freely, without thinking of the sound, but only to the technique, which must be applied in order to leave the voice free, without any constriction of the body.
My influences are: Sebastian Bach, Bon Jovi, Terence Trent D’arby (Now SanandaMaitreya), Lenny Kravitz, Robert Plant, Axl Rose, Jeff Buckley, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Eric Martin, Chris Cornell, Mike Patton, Richard Marx, Kenny Loggins, Steven Tyler…
Have you planned to give any live shows in the near future so as to promote the album? Will it be with all the guys that are participating in it?
G: Oh yes!! Absolutely!!! We need to play it live!! The groove of these tracks needs to be expressed as soon as possible. The band is composed by professional musicians with a great professionalism, technique and sound. And I hope they will be part of the production and the gigs of Giulio Garghentini forever!!
After a 20-year experience in music what’s that “secret” that keeps a musician going on?
G: I think you have to dedicate your life to the music completely!! And that you have to fight every day to improve in playing your instrument and as a musician in general! When I teach singing, I try to improve my students and at the same time my voice and my body attitude. I live for the music and the voice for me is a way to live, not just to sing. So I can’t stop!!
I think that you have to creat something that evolves everyday with you. Like your production for example!!! Or a particular live show!! The real important thing is to hold on with the same project and take care of it also in bad moments. This is the only way to go on: The love for your projects and for the life in music… and for the people you meet on the road (they are my family)!!!
What are your expectations from this album? The first goal is achieved… so, what’s next?
G: I’m already satisfied with the album. It seems like a dream and it perfectly represents what I needed so as to be happy. And for me that’s the perfect start!!! Yes, the first goal is achieved. Next? The second album!!! Mario already asked me to begin writing something!! He lives for this!! (i.n.: Good! A new album on the way!)
What do you think of the Internet as a means of promotion & distribution? Conversely, it is also a way for people to get music free & illegally. What’s the right way to control it so as not to lose time & money as a musician/band?
G: I think it’s a very good way to promote music and give the possibility to everybody to do it. I really don’t understand why in this strange world, when something is good people has got to use it also in a bad way. I just can believe and cross my fingers hoping that people’s love for the music is higher than people’s appetite for destruction!!! About the right way to control it: No way!!! It depends from the will of the people as a lot of things in this strange world.
How can fans love & appreciate music again like they used to do in the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s and not deal with it like it is only a bunch of MP3s files that have been downloaded from the web?
G: They absolutely need to go out & buy the CD! It’s the only way! It’s fantastic to open your personal copy like a gift for your birthday. Please, don’t stop!!! Good things are so rare today!! (i.n.: So true dude!)
And some weird Questions now!!! If you could put together the best rock band in the world who would participate and why?
G: I think that it’s very difficult to answer… 5 super musicians are not enough!! You need 5 super musicians with the right groove and harmony to be super together!!! So the answer is:
Giulio Garghentini: Lead & Backing Vocals
Mario Percudani: Guitars, backing vocals
Paolo “Apollo” Negri: Keyboards
Gianni Grecchi: Bass
Paolo Botteschi: Drums
If you could be a member of another band… which one would it be and why?
G: Oh, if I had to choose just one band, maybe I would like to be the singer in The Slash’s Snakepit!! I like the sound of the band and the feeling their music used to have!!
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
G: A lot of records and a lot of songs… maybe “Hallelujah” or “The Power of Love” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood or “Peace in Our Life” by Frank Stallone or “You Can’t Save Me” by Kotzen… and all the songs that I love for the thrill they give me!!!
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
G: The fact that sometimes they produce music without taking care of the products. After that they tell the artist that failure is his fault!! Sometimes it’s true, but not always!!
What do you think of the economic crisis that’s threatening people’s lives over the profit of some rich men? Do we need a revolution again?
G: No, we don’t need a revolution.. I think it would be useless. World is made by men. This is the problem!! With a revolution you can just substitute men with other men. The only way is to hold on and play the game of life the best we can and to try to be better than our enemies “washing their feet to kill their memories”.
If you were dating a very beautiful woman- who hated metal music and you knew it- on a loft with a beautiful view in the evening… which song would you choose to play to make her feel comfortable, to break the ice… and why?
G: “Hallelujah” by the voice of Jeff Buckley because it’s really special, not only romantic. But after the first kiss, “Been There Lately” of Slash’s Snakepit. She’s got to understand!!!
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?
G: Jennifer Lopez!!! But not for her ability to recite!! (i.n.: Ohh I see!)
Why is rock music better than sex… if it is of course…
G: It’s absolutely true!! And the reason is that rock music gives you unforgettable emotions and crazy feelings. Sex is OK, but sometimes can be a problem!! Good music can only give you good vibrations and a reason to live!!
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
G: I would leave her immediately!!! She’s not the girl for me!!
That’s all for now Giulio… Keep on rockin’ dude no matter what! Please leave a note to Grande Rock readers… Take care!
G: Thank you Thanos!! Take care my friend!! A big hug to all the Grande Rock readers, we are brothers. All together we are a big family full of good feelings!! Take care of yourselves brothers!! CU on the road!!! Keep in touch!!! Giulio.
G: I think it’s a very good way to promote music and give the possibility to everybody to do it. I really don’t understand why in this strange world, when something is good people has got to use it also in a bad way. I just can believe and cross my fingers hoping that people’s love for the music is higher than people’s appetite for destruction!!! About the right way to control it: No way!!! It depends from the will of the people as a lot of things in this strange world.
How can fans love & appreciate music again like they used to do in the 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s and not deal with it like it is only a bunch of MP3s files that have been downloaded from the web?
G: They absolutely need to go out & buy the CD! It’s the only way! It’s fantastic to open your personal copy like a gift for your birthday. Please, don’t stop!!! Good things are so rare today!! (i.n.: So true dude!)
And some weird Questions now!!! If you could put together the best rock band in the world who would participate and why?
G: I think that it’s very difficult to answer… 5 super musicians are not enough!! You need 5 super musicians with the right groove and harmony to be super together!!! So the answer is:
Giulio Garghentini: Lead & Backing Vocals
Mario Percudani: Guitars, backing vocals
Paolo “Apollo” Negri: Keyboards
Gianni Grecchi: Bass
Paolo Botteschi: Drums
If you could be a member of another band… which one would it be and why?
G: Oh, if I had to choose just one band, maybe I would like to be the singer in The Slash’s Snakepit!! I like the sound of the band and the feeling their music used to have!!
Which is the record you wish you had written and why?
G: A lot of records and a lot of songs… maybe “Hallelujah” or “The Power of Love” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood or “Peace in Our Life” by Frank Stallone or “You Can’t Save Me” by Kotzen… and all the songs that I love for the thrill they give me!!!
What are those things that you do not like in the music industry nowadays?
G: The fact that sometimes they produce music without taking care of the products. After that they tell the artist that failure is his fault!! Sometimes it’s true, but not always!!
What do you think of the economic crisis that’s threatening people’s lives over the profit of some rich men? Do we need a revolution again?
G: No, we don’t need a revolution.. I think it would be useless. World is made by men. This is the problem!! With a revolution you can just substitute men with other men. The only way is to hold on and play the game of life the best we can and to try to be better than our enemies “washing their feet to kill their memories”.
If you were dating a very beautiful woman- who hated metal music and you knew it- on a loft with a beautiful view in the evening… which song would you choose to play to make her feel comfortable, to break the ice… and why?
G: “Hallelujah” by the voice of Jeff Buckley because it’s really special, not only romantic. But after the first kiss, “Been There Lately” of Slash’s Snakepit. She’s got to understand!!!
You have the opportunity to sleep with the movie-celebrity of your choice. Who would it be?
G: Jennifer Lopez!!! But not for her ability to recite!! (i.n.: Ohh I see!)
Why is rock music better than sex… if it is of course…
G: It’s absolutely true!! And the reason is that rock music gives you unforgettable emotions and crazy feelings. Sex is OK, but sometimes can be a problem!! Good music can only give you good vibrations and a reason to live!!
Imagine that your girlfriend/wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy an expensive ring for herself. How would you react?
G: I would leave her immediately!!! She’s not the girl for me!!
That’s all for now Giulio… Keep on rockin’ dude no matter what! Please leave a note to Grande Rock readers… Take care!
G: Thank you Thanos!! Take care my friend!! A big hug to all the Grande Rock readers, we are brothers. All together we are a big family full of good feelings!! Take care of yourselves brothers!! CU on the road!!! Keep in touch!!! Giulio.