Posted on June 16, 2010 - by Mark Zonda

Alan Sorrenti between prog, disco and future

Not anyone in Italy are aware of the name Alan Sorrenti, still there are at least two songs from the ’70s  that anyone can instantly recognise: “Tu sei l’unica donna per me” and the most popular “Figli delle stelle”. Along with “Circus2000″/”Le Streghe”, Alan Sorrenti was absolutely necessary for the Italian music scene to step out from progressive and slowly turn into Italo Disco.  Taking the Neo Italo Disco project as an excuse to look back to those days we got in touch with Alan to talk about his music and life.

Mark Zonda: Alan, when did your love for music begin?

Alan Sorrenti: I was about fifteen, spending the summer at Folkstone, by the English Channel. I was there to study English. Radio was broadcasting “Sitting on the dock of the bay”, by Otis Redding, “Black is black” by Los Bravos, and clearly The Beatles. This was enough to start the fire, then my permanence in Folkstone gave me the chance to hear “On the road again” by Canned Heat playing live in a pub. It was my first live show! Later in London it was time for Family, Vanilla Fudge and King Crimson, and my love for progressive began. And so it happened I was the one bringing to life the whole movement in Italy. Still my main influence on finding out my own voice and experimenting with its sounds was definitely Tim Buckley, Jeff Buckley’s father. Such a shame I didn’t managed to meet him on my first trip to California. It was already too late. Gone just like so many other Volcanic personalities of those times.

Mark Zonda: Did you had a band before your solo career?

Alan Sorrenti: Of course! We were “I Volti di Pietra”. A great band. A shame what I was so out of my mind during the live shows what I used to throw the microphone up in the air to express my emotions. Such a shame that they often had to find another microphone or repair it and that it wasn’t mine… so they decided to change the singer instead!

Mark Zonda: Did California changed you?

Alan Sorrenti: It totally did, expecially in San Francisco and L.A., where I stayed for five years. I learned the “Recording Artist” technique and how to write a song, taking advantage of so many talented artists at hand, just like Jay Graydon, David Foster and some blokes from Toto. When I was “Progressive” I was so creative but definitely not a technician. And let’s face it: ’70s and ’80s in California were magic!

Mark Zonda: At which point the more refined disco music became Italo Disco? Some people look at you like some kind of link between these two movements. Did you loved that kind of music or you care more for arrangements and a more advanced and sophisticated pop?

Alan Sorrenti: Don’t really know Mark. I believe that this happened somewhere in the ’80s, but I never considered myself a Dance artist…

Mark Zonda: “Figli delle stelle” it’s such an unbelievable track. Not only they still play it on radio and tv commercials, but you still find it on teenagers mixtapes and they dance it at parties. Let’s not even star to talk about that guitar riff, so catchy and good that you even forget about how complex and perfect is played. Are you satisfied on having written some of the finest episodes of Italian pop music or it’s a trial on getting attention on new stuff?

Alan Sorrenti: Both sides of the coin. I believe now it’s time to bring new stuff on. It’s time for my music to watch toward the future, connecting the dots of my different influences on a solid style able to get over any temporary fashion. I’m working on a new project and I hope it will be finished for spring 2011.

Mark Zonda: That’s a news! Cornelius talks about “Music for the 21th century”. How should it be for Alan Sorrenti?

Alan Sorrenti: Something able to connect us back to the Nature from which we’re clearly divided, brining back the attention to real beauty and Earth safety. This kind of music must force people to talk instead of fighting, to lead us to the beginning of a new Humanism. We’re talking about mankind evolution, and I hope that the next generation if not taht one  will be there to be it. That’s what I will try to express with my new song. I hope I’ll be effective!

Mark Zonda: How does it take for you to record a song in the studio?

Alan Sorrenti: There’s not an average amount of time. It also depends on the skills and the quickness of the technician I’m working with. Let’s say it’s all done after a week if everything’s fine.

Mark Zonda: Have you ever been interested on nowadays indie music?

Alan Sorrenti: I follow any  artist able to reach for their own voice trying to bring out their inner world with great attention, willing to learn something from them.

Mark Zonda: What’s your final advice to this new generation of independent artists?

Alan Sorrenti: Avoid telly. Watch inside yourselves instead.

Alan Sorrenti Site: http://www.alansorrenti.com

Alan Sorrenti – Passione (Excerpt)

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