A Q&A with Damien McFly
Italian indie-folk with heartfelt songwriting…
What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
My new album’s title is For Those Who Care. Care is a word that has a lot of different meanings and we can care about a lot of different things. I want my music to reach the people that know how to care about something or to take care of someone — people that dedicate time to their passion, especially if it doesn’t benefit just themselves.
What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
For me as an independent artist, the hardest part is setting a deadline and respecting it. I’ve done almost everything in this album and you keep working on it until you’re almost having a breakdown, and that’s when you’re ready to release it. I’m kidding, but it’s almost like that.
Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do you enjoy most about producing your own material?
I’ve produced the record myself but also worked with friends on a couple of songs. Their names are Luca Lago and Alessandro De Crescenzo. They’re both great guitarists and can push me and my music outside of my comfort zone. I really like producing my own songs because most of the time I can hear the whole production in my head before starting to record. I write a verse and a chorus and I usually know how they should sound and what instruments I need. If I don’t get that I usually ask other people to help me, or I just keep trying different roads until I’m happy with it. I also love recording my band members and seeing what they can add to the songs.
What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
I want people to feel something and I’d love for them to connect one of my songs to some moments of their present. I think this album, more than my previous ones, has got some good lyrics that can get stuck in your head.
How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
In my case most of the time I would be jamming on the piano or on the guitar until I hear something I like, and then start singing on it over and over again. When I know it’s something good I record it properly and start producing it. Usually if I know that I don’t have time to work on it, I don’t even record the demo on the laptop — I just leave it as a memo, because once I start I can’t stop until I hear the full sound.
What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
My teenage background is a weird mix of rock and heavy stuff with bands like Metallica, System of a Down and Rage Against the Machine, and old Italian singer-songwriters. But since I discovered Mumford and Sons they’ve been a big influence. I also really like Sam Fender when it comes to his sound.
What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
I’d love to tour more in the US and Canada, but also to tour Australia. My dream venue is Red Rocks, and of course my dream festival is Glastonbury.
If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
I’d pick a song called ‘Down My Spine’ from For Those Who Care. It’s a breakup song, but it sounds like a rock song got stuck inside a piano ballad, with dreamy vocals and some very dry distorted sounds.
What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
I’m pretty realistic when it comes to ambitions. I’d love to keep touring but playing bigger and bigger venues. I don’t really care about being a mainstream artist, but I’d just love to keep doing what I do — only on bigger stages.
Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Thanks for coming and Buonanotte! (Italian for Have a goodnight)
Find out more about Damien McFly at damienmcfly.com
