I thought it would be easier with a band with vocals, to push and sell it. It wasn`t any easier. I`m still selling more instrumental CDs than Skulgrinder CDs.
I think that the song itself is the most important thing, because what we remember after the listening of a track is not a shred phrase but the central theme.
I`m more interested in songs than in players. I love the last Coldplay album, because there`s great melody. There`s new guys like Derek Trucks and Joe Bonamassa, who really play well and say something emotional.
I love live performances. If they come out well, they capture the beauty of improvisation. That is one of the things that I love about music and this band, the moments of improvisation that change from gig to gig are wonderful.
To be a musician, especially in countries like Italy where music is not treated like it deserves, it`s a hard job. Every day you have to wake up and learn, you have to be prepared, you need to be professional.
It is all about the music, which can be similar to some people, but for me, it`s really different. Also, the attention of the crowd is different. The trio format demands more from each musician as well.
When Mike Varney got a copy of my mostly acoustic solo record and signed me, he suggested doing more metal. I was thrilled because at that point in time it seemed nobody cared for metal solos.
The fact that downloading is a problem can`t prevent you from doing music. And you are right, a lot of guys are actually releasing their first albums, but that doesn`t mean they are good or different from what`s been done before.
Usually when I work on my own compositions, I immediately follow my instincts, putting down ideas quickly that come from inspiration - without following any set pattern.
I titled my songs to represent varying degrees of thought; for example, "The Afterlife" is a musical speculation on what it would sound like on your spiritual journey to the next world, if there is indeed one!
I tend to discover guitarists that have been there for a long time and have many records, but hadn`t catch my attention until recently, like Derek Trucks or Alex Machacek.
We often cannot pinpoint exactly what it is we like about a certain piece of instrumental music, but the music nonetheless resonates within us on a deep, personal level.
