Venerus, an Italian who is very un-Italian: “We lack imagination”
A very un-Italian Italian chosen among the ambassadors of the tricolor in one of the most followed and commented European festivals, one might say, quoting Stanis La Rochelle, the character played by Pietro Sermonti in the cult series “Boris”. Here is the perfect definition to summarize the show of Venerus on the stage of the Sziget Festival. Andrea Venerus, this is the real name of the Milanese musician, born in 1992, for five years based in London before returning to the Peninsula, inspirations ranging from Pink Floyd to David Bowie, collaborations ranging from those with Mace to those with Elisa, Gemitaiz, Marracash, Frah Quintale, last Friday brought the unlabelable mix of pop, rap, electronic, soul, indie and jazz that characterizes his music to the stage of the Hungarian festival. “I was excited, but I didn’t know exactly what to expect, since it was my first time. I had never been there even as a spectator. The audience was more lively than I thought,” he says backstage at the Buzz Stage.
After this experience, don’t you feel even more like a fish out of water in Italy because of the music you make?
“More than a fish out of water, I am proud to make the music that I like, managing in one way or another to coexist with the rest of the world. I like the feeling of remaining true to myself in a reality in which I do not feel surrounded by my peers. But I feel like my audience follows me, that they are on my side: and I am fine with that”.
Were you able to attend any shows as a spectator?
“I saw a piece of Yves Tumor’s performance. Nice songs, but I can’t say if the live show drove me crazy: it’s rap on the beats, with the voice underneath. A bit of a drag, that’s it (laughs)”.
Are people more or less daring abroad than in Italy?
“It’s not that we dare more: it’s that we try more. We get our hands dirty more. In Italy we lack a bit of imagination.”
And what changes?
“It’s a different question, of culture. Artists abroad have broader references. In Italy we always look at each other and immediately feel great. It’s short-sighted. And limiting. Developing a culture, in any field, is a fundamental thing, as I see it. Abroad, artists grow with a richer cultural substratum”.
Where are you at with the new album, after last year’s “Il segreto”?
“It’s almost finished. Now I’ll take my time to do the final polishing. It will come out next year.”
Maybe in conjunction with a participation in the Sanremo Festival?
“Let’s see. I don’t rule it out.”
Last time you said you didn’t even have a TV.
“I still don’t have it. But the idea of contaminating myself a little doesn’t bother me.”
