The sun is shining, the music is blasting, and we’re happy to host Italian bassist, beatmaker, and producer Luzee on the blog!
1) Hi Luzee, welcome to VnT Music Blog! To start, we’d like to ask you: how and when did you get into beatmaking?
Hi guys, thanks for inviting me to VnT Blog. I have to say I got into it late. My musical journey began with the electric bass, and I played in bands for many years. However, almost from the beginning, I was curious about technology, things like using computers to jot down ideas, etc. However, it was only later, about ten years ago, that I discovered the art of sampling and truly fell in love with it. It was a revolution for me, because I could create something musically complete. I also have to say that my favorite instrument is the drums. I love the bass, but at first I wanted to play the drums, but then, due to logistical issues and also because I discovered this fantastic instrument, I switched to the bass. So, you can see that beatmaking also gave me the opportunity to “play” the drums!
2) We know you’re also a fan of analog… Is there a particular sampler you’re most fond of? Which sampler or other historical equipment would you like to have in your studio?
As I was saying, I started with the computer, but analog has its own charm in the creative phase, and I’ve treated myself to a few pieces of equipment over time. I’d probably say the sampler I’m most fond of is the Roland SP 404 sx because it was the first physical sampler and it still accompanies me in live performances, but I love my MPC One; working with it is fantastic. I also had an MPC2000XL for a while, but I have to be honest, it didn’t last long.
To be honest, at this stage of my life, I can’t think of any historic gear, maybe a tape recorder for the unique color it can bring. However, I’d love to have a studio with a real drum kit, some good microphones, and a mixing console to record sessions with musicians, but we’re exaggerating a bit here, hahahaha!
3) Your sound is truly diverse, ranging from lo-fi to classic boom bap to electronic. Your latest album, “Afro Sketches,” is a prime example. Can you tell us about these musical connections, what inspires you, and the Afro influences in your latest project?
I’m deeply connected to the African-American roots of music, I’ve come to understand this over time. Rhythm is what fascinates me the most, and from Blues, Soul, Funk, and even Hip Hop, the African influence is always present. During my listening journey, many years ago, a musician introduced me to Fela Kuti, and from there, I began to develop an interest in African music, which is somehow also connected to our Southern Italian folk music. In “Afro Sketches” I wanted to pay my own personal tribute to that music from which everything began and which belongs to all of us.
4) We recently hosted your 2024 tape “Beat’s For Smoke” on the blog, a tribute to the film “Smoke”. Would you like to tell us something about the creative process and your connection to this film?
It was an idea I had in mind for a while: to make a series of tapes related to films, a bit like a personal version of the soundtrack. Then, while working on those songs, the idea came to me, and that sound reminded me of that film, just like an image. The rest came naturally; each song evoked a character or scene from the film.
It’s a film I’m very tied to. I couldn’t tell you exactly why, but from the first time I saw it, something resonated with me, a special connection was created. The intertwining stories, each very strong and distinctive, the setting, the characters who are seemingly all desperate, and then as the film progresses, profound stories emerge. Their own stories, or stories told by them. It’s a love letter to stories in some ways. I also think it’s divinely written; in fact, the co-author is the American writer Paul Aster.
5) Do you have any particular film recommendations for readers? Any genre!
To stay on the theme of 90s New York, I would say “Do the Right Thing” by Spike Lee, or a more recent one for sure “Perfect Days” by Wim Wenders released in 2023.
6) If you had to pay tribute to another film, in the style of “Afro Sketches”, which one would you choose?
Hard to say! I imagine a 1970s Afro-futurist film; Sun Ra’s “Space Is the Place” would definitely be a prime candidate.
7) Your city, Bologna, is full of musical events and connections… It’s no coincidence that we met in person at the 404 event of the eponymous collective of which you are a member. Tell us more.
True! This is precisely why I love Bologna. I’ve lived here for many years, but I was born and raised in Nereto, a small town in Abruzzo.
An example of the connections you mention is 404. It began in 2018 as an evening dedicated entirely to beatmaking, conceived by Koralle and Faer, who later also involved me, Qael, and Jamil (BLKLDG). The evening has undergone various evolutions, but the current established formula is to have several beatmakers arranged in a cypher, playing their own productions from the sampler. One beat each for a minute, in continuous rotation.
The evening aims to put this noble art at the center and make it a moment to meet and share this scene. We are all very proud of this initiative, which has grown little by little, and beyond social media! And we are also grateful to Granata that hosted us from day one and believed in this project, because without places like this, the cultural scene cannot exist.
8) Thank you so much Luzee! Now, as per tradition, tell us about your favourite beer: Dark, Red/Amber, or Blonde? Recommend us a good beer to enjoy while we listen to beats 🙂
Thanks for having me and for the great questions. Well, I’m not a big beer fanatic; I always go for Blonde, as long as it’s cold!
Happy listening, and greetings to all the readers of VnT – Instrumental HH music Blog! 🙂