THE INVISIBLE SIDE OF THINGS . 01 . 26 . 2010
AN INTERVIEW WITH LORENZO SCOPELLITI BY JESSE HAYES
If we are fortunate, in our lifetime we will cross paths with one of those individuals for whom everything is an artistic endeavor. Not in some sort of prententious over intellectualized way but simply because that is the only way they know how to do a thing. Lorenzo Scopelliti is one of those rare spirits with whom I have had the pleasure of sharing drink and conversation. An Italian artist with several independent releases of ambient compositions under the pseudonym Saffron Woods, Lorenzo is multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer and generally delightful noise maker of the highest order who has collaborated with a number of talent Italian artists, including reknown engineer: Alessandro Mazzitelli.
We find ourselves together on this occasion to discuss one of his latest artistic pursuits; a musical collaboration of sorts with Ingrid Chavez, an artist whose working is far reaching and includes recordings with Prince, David Sylvian, Lenny Kravitz and even co-writing Madonna's controversial hit "Justify My Love".
A one-time sculptor, chef and restaurantuer, musician and most recently filmmaker, Lorenzo is an man born of instinct, interpretation, and improvisation. In 2006 he made the simple gesture of emailing a composition to an artist he admired. He had no motivation other than to join a piece of music with it's inspiration. It was to be a serendipitous offering for both of them. Although Lorenzo and Ingrid came from different worlds and spoke in different languages they shared a passion for artistic exploration. This passion led them to friendship and collaboration. The efforts of that collaboration can be heard on Ingrid Chavez's first full length record in 16 years, 'A Flutter and Some Words'.
J. Hayes: When did you first discover Ingrid's music and what drew you to it?
Lorenzo: If I remember well, it was around 1992. I was in a pub and on a video screen was the music of [Japanese artist] Sakamoto with [David] Sylvian , and Ingrid.
J. Hayes: What inspired you to reach out and make contact with her?
Lorenzo: At that time, I accepted the advice of my friend Alessandro Mazzitelli to create an account on MySpace and I found her browsing among members. I heard her songs and requested her friendship, sending her an email of welcome. After a few days Ingrid replied to my email. It was a kindly gesture by Ingrid . All this began an exchange of correspondence. We shared a mutual respect and curiosity in the artistic world.
J. Hayes: As a sort of ambient artist, what other more mainstream or traditional artists, such as Ingrid, do you draw inspiration from?
Lorenzo: Inspiration is spontaneous, natural. Lots of inspiration come not so much from specific artists but travels, everyday experiences, often films, sometime common people or dreams are as muses. Sure Ingrid was and is an inspiration for me.
J. Hayes: Was there any particular music that you remember first making you interested in exploring that part of you artistry?
Lorenzo: There are songs [of Ingrid's] such as Hippy Blood and with material with her band OVA and SkyFish that are of remarkable beauty.
J. Hayes: I agree, hopefully the world at large will get to hear that older material of Ingrid's. As a musician, why do you think you naturally gravitate towards ambient or more abstract compositions such as these, as opposed to more liner or structured song form?
Lorenzo: Everythings depends soley on what type of work you have in front... The album tracks for Ingrid, some were born without any structure and other ones structured in a pop way. Everything that comes from Saffron Woods' music is a spontaneous instinctive process. I love spontaneity.
J. Hayes: In my mind, you are "the man with the beautiful sounds". What do you look for when creating your soundscapes?
Lorenzo: More than the reality, I seek the invisible side of things. I focus only on one [sound] and I multiply this set of fragments and let the sound evolve.
J. Hayes: How do you capture your sounds? Are you sitting out in the woods with a recorder or do you get samples from other resources?
Lorenzo: Sometimes I record... but I dont like really shipping into the forest to catch sounds. I love to watch, I prefer to capture in perfect freedom. I don't design a sound, it sound should be, for me, spontaneous. Randomness, an event that is unconsciously suggestive... This changes when I am in the studio. The path becomes instrumental and acoustic with digital facilities.
J. Hayes: So, it's almost as if you create your compositions literally from the sounds around you. That's a pretty progressive use of music technology. Do you have a favorite sound or sonic texture, something that you are always coming back to or you feel a particular emotional reaction to?
Lorenzo: The emotional part of every human being, represented by memories, often has their own sound. The sound of the piano often brings me into the past, or an airplane flying away in a summer's afternoon in the countryside. These sounds are quite different from each other but often bring me to such creative and emotional space.
J. Hayes: That's beautiful and truly a very personal reference point. How does that process change when working with another artist? Walk me through your creative process and share how that process was different working with Ingrid as a songwriter and vocalist?
Lorenzo: After the first track I shared with ingrid ( which became the song Isobel ), we identified what kind of wave of thought we had to work with. That is to say... for me it was my first experience having to share music that would later be sung, so I preferred to play tracks that had a simple feel but a profound emotional impact... Ingrid would capture the necessary inspiration. From those first steps, we gradually tried to mold the structure. Ingrid has been superb in capturing the essence of each tracks and I confess that some tracks were not easy to sing to. But, a recipe often requires only three good ingredients.
J. Hayes: And like cooking, much is "to the taste", an instinctive process as you so accurately described it earlier. What, if anything, was the effect of the initial language barrier with Ingrid and yourself? Did it hinder or help the creative process?
Lorenzo: I don't think there exists any kind language in a creative processes. The enthusiasm has a creative energy that is so vital it translates to every kind language, known and unknown.
J. Hayes: Has this process and album [a flutter and some words] peaked your interest in exploring more traditional songwriting and composition in the future?
Lorenzo: "Changing will be the word... I am already working a few tracks for my next album project.
J. Hayes: That being said, what should our readers expect from the next Saffron Woods record?
Lorenzo: Undoubtedly... a development forward, structurally and musically.
J. Hayes: From what I have heard so far it seems that you've drawn a lot of inspiration from this experience and environment. I am gonna label what I've heard so far, neo-electic-italio-americana... Just cause I'm ridiculous. But honestly, what I love about your music is that by the time it's done, it will have become something totally different. I am always surprised by your work, and pleasantly so. Changing gears, most recently I have met, Lorenzo Scopeliti "the filmmaker". How did you find yourself as that person?
Lorenzo: It was part of my vision for long time... as a memory in the drawer, it is simply another expression language... I see and I desire to tell.
J. Hayes: And express you certainly do. You have created a beautiful short film to accompany 'A Flutter and Some Words', a sort of EPK, but really something more. As is usually the case with you, I understand this came about very organically. Tell us a little about that.
Lorenzo: A Flutter Film, is a simple story that speaks to the eye, a glimpse of moments in the life of Ingrid; artist, woman, mother, friend, without a script or a screenplay. Filmed primarily in United States and partly in Italy.
J. Hayes: It's such a rich a textured piece and feels in many ways like your music. How do the processes [music vs. film] compare for you?
Lorenzo: It is the same relationship that we have with a spoken word and a sung lyric, or as the relationship that the ear shares with the eye. All this does is part of my famous "languages"... do you remember?
J. Hayes: Languages, Do you find that is a thread that runs through all of your art, from sculpting and cullinary art to music and film?
Lorenzo: I try to walk in my time, when one reads this, it will be a new time, perhaps... Everyday I learn something new that permits me to fly without any wings. I recently read that they have discovered more than 90 different senses... I remembered just five, obviously, yet I am surprised and marvel everyday... how ... a celebration of life.
J. Hayes: As an independent artist of so many varied disciplines, how do you reach your audience or how does your audience find you to share in that celebration?
Lorenzo: There is an audience ... I think today the web has brought a world within the world. Within that world lives an audience... the rest... I have yet to discover.
J. Hayes: It is an ongoing search isn't but it's amazing they way artists can find eachother now. What do you see as the future of the music industry and where do you see artists like yourself and Ingrid in it?
Lorenzo: Premonitions... Sometime I think they steal the surprise of what is yet to come. Certainly the music doesn't stop here, if you are not tired of playing or listening. The industry and the art... that is to say... the box and it's contents... a contradiction or perhaps an infinite sound that accompanies us, for centuries. For the moment let's enjoy the current work " A Flutter and Some Words"
J. Hayes: Effortlessly enigmatic as ever, my friend. Thank you.
Artists like Lorenzo Scopelliti can, hopefully remind us as the creative human beings that we are, of the infinite possibilities and inspirations that exist all around us. "A Flutter and Some Words" is certainly an example of that. Check it out and be on the look out for whatever creations are on the horizon for Saffron Woods, who will surely...
Live Well & Listen Closely,
J. Hayes
Read more interviews, reviews and ramblings by J. Hayes at No Depression Magazine www.noderession.com and www.examiner.com or become a fan on facebook.
SOCIAL NETWORKS
CONTACT INFO
Management | Booking:
Stef Angel Music Group
Email:
stefaniah@stefangelmusic.com
Website:
www.stefangelmusic.com
