Chiello: “I listen to Buscaglione: the new songwriters disappoint me”

He listens only to “old” songwriting, because “the new one makes shit”. He wrote a song against his records, because “they want to write light songs”, but lightness does not belong to him. Moreover, he chose to open his new album, “Scarabocchi”, released today two years after the previous “Marcia” and four from that “Oceano Paradiso” which marked his turning point by (ex) trapper repentant – after the beginning with the Fsk satellite, the controversial trio that composed together with Sapobully and Taxi B – A Wannabe Rockstar, With a song, “insects”, whose first verse I play: “One of these days I will kill myself”. The appearances deceive: behind the often bent -cooled face and covered with Chiello tattoos, a real name Rocco Model, born in 1999, hides an artist with so much sensitivity. Taken under his protective wing by that Ottoman Thomas that we saw at the last Sanremo alongside Lucio Corsi, who has joined Chiello in the writing and composition of the 13 songs of “Scarabocchi”, in the new album the singer -songwriter flirts with the Italian rock of the 2000s, the indie and also with the swing, dueting with Rose Villain on “My eyes were yours” of pineapple “.

In your latest album there were references to Verdena and in the interviews of that period you mentioned among your favorite listenings the Underground Youth, Manchester’s indie-alternative bands. This time the inspiration from what did you get to you?

«A real reference has not been there. There was not even in “march apple”, to be honest: in the interviews I was going to be at the case of the names of artists that I listened to at that time (laughs). In the songs of “Scarabocchi” I approached the Italian songwriter. The old one, because the new one makes shit ».

Honest. When you talk about “old songwriting” who are you referring to?

«Gino Paoli, Luigi Tenco. The Genoese school. I also put Piero Ciampi in it, who even if it was from Livorno frequented that circuit. I studied their records, I made myself a culture ».

What fascinates you?

“The crude truth that was in their music. There was sincerity, sensitivity ».

In today’s songs, however, what do you feel?

“I would not know. I listen to little. And what little I listen makes me feel disappointed. Maybe it’s my limit, but I find more charm in the songs of the past than in those of today ».

How do you think you have raised the bar with “scarabocchi”?

“” Ocean Paradiso “and” Marcia apple “wrote them alone in the bedroom in periods when I went out only to shop, closing myself at home for months. This time I worked with a team, the one made up of Tommaso Ottomano, Mr. Monkey (Matteo Novi, producer, editor’s note), Fausto Cigarini. A perfect team, with which I shared ideas, ideas ».

Did the recordings give up on asking you to write light songs, how do you sing in “Malibu”?

«Yes (laughs). Sometimes they also tried to make me sing things written by others. I refused to do it. In the end they understood how I am. I have a difficult character ».

In fact, a song signed by a colleague is there. In “stupid soul” Blanco’s touch feels heavily. Did you write it together before or after the post with which last year you accuse him of being “too busy looking at your numbers and learning about the development of your career”?

“Before. However, after that exit, we felt. Maybe we are not friends as before, though ».

“I want to change Italian music, but I feel alone,” you said. Do you still feel alone?

“I say a lot of bullshit anyway …”.

Alright. Do you feel understood, Chiello?

“I feel seen.”

What does it mean to feel “seen”?

«Something positive. It’s a nice feeling. Everyone needs to feel seen, to know they exist ».

Okay. Among the most surprising pieces there is “Sparks”, a Buscaglione style swing. Who are you inspired by?

«I listened to Buscaglione when I composed it. It is he who triggered something inside me. I resumed his style, his sounds ».

The cover of “Scarabocchi”

And the punk of “pineapple juice”, in a duet with Achille Lauro?

«He was born from an evening together with Achille in his house. “Rolls Royce” marked a watershed in Italian music of these years “.

With Lucio Corsi, with whom I share the right arm, Tommaso Ottomano, has there been no way to do something?

“We have fun many times in Jam Sessions.”

With Rose Villain you duetted, before on the album, already in February in Sanremo. Did you try to participate?

“The idea was there. But in the end there was no practical act: we did not present it. The piece, however, is not on the disc ».

Do you keep it for next year?
“Ninth. It is not said that I must necessarily be on that stage next year. I will go there when I have the right song ».

On May 4th, the tour in the clubs will start from Senigallia which will then stop in Naples (6 May, Casa della Musica), Rome (7 May, Atlantic), Milan (11 May, Alcatraz), Florence (May 14, Teatro Cartiere Carrara), Nonantola (May 16, Vox Club), Padua (18 May, Gran Teatro Geox), Venaria Reale – Turin (19 May, Concordia Theater to describe the concerts?

“I can give an image.”

Please.

“A worm enjoying the rain until the last drop (it is a quote from the text of” insects “, editor’s note)”.

Are you the worm?

“Yes. And also all those who listen to me ».