Fabio Zuffanti is a multi-faceted Italian progressive rock musician who has been involved in some of the most interesting projects in recent years. His latest work is a superb album titled La Curva Di Lesmo. Fabio discusses this new recording with Progressive rock Central.
You recently released an album titled La Curva Di Lesmo. What’s the concept behind this album?
Well, actually there’s no real concept behind the album. Also you can find in the songs some recurrent themes such as the personal search of themselves, the fear of death, certain turbid and sensual moods…. All topics that fascinates Stefano very much. He is the author of all the Lyrics.
How did connect with Stefano Agnini to create La Curva Di Lesmo?
I know Stefano from some years and I admire his great skill writing lyrics and music with his band, la Coscienza Di Zeno. In 2014 Stefano send me one of his song (“La posa dei morti”) and asked me what I thought about it. I liked it very much and I sent it to my record label, AMS records. Then Matthias, the owner of the label, proposed to me and Stefano to join forces and do an album together. And so we did!
How has your music evolved throughout the years?
My music evolves according to my life experiences and my musical listens. I believe that I’m learning more and more to condense all that into my music, in a personal way and with a recognizable touch.
You have been a member of various essential Italian progressive rock groups like Hostsonaten, La Maschera di Cera, and Finisterre. How do you differentiate what you play in your different band and solo projects?
The solo projects allow me more freedom because it’s just me to decide, in the band sometimes there’s differences of views and competition. Despite what I really love to work in both situations that I find very stimulating.
It seems like Italy is experiencing a new golden age in the area of progressive rock with excellent musicians and bands. Why do you think this is happening now?
In Italy in the last 20 years many prog bands were born. This is because in my country this kind of music has always been much loved. Then, in the years, in a very very slow way, more and more people and even the media seem to notice this great movement and I hope that things can grow ever more!
You seem to be a big fan of vintage keyboard sounds and other musical instruments. Is it hard to find these instruments now?
Sometimes, but I always had the fortune to know very skilled keyboardists, with a great passion for vintage instruments (and owners of beautiful instruments).
Throughout your career you have released numerous albums for various labels. Are you in control of all your material?
Apart for the first two Finisterre album, all the other material is owned by me together with the record label with which I work from years with great satisfaction, AMS Records.
Your bass style is very diverse. What bass players have inspired you?
I’m not a “technical” bass player with a great knowledge of the notes and scores. I’m very instinctive, sometimes dirty and rough, sometimes more refined. My masters are bass players that are not usually seen as masters of the instrument; Roger Waters, Adam Clayton, Mike Rutherford, Steve Harris and similar.
What musical instruments are you currently using? And what effects do you use?
I use a BB415 Yamaha bass and a Roland PK5 midi bass pedals. No effects, all the different sounds comes from my hands 🙂
Do you still play your earlier basses?
No, I gifted or sold my previous basses. I do not like to have much instruments, if I get attached to one bass I bring it along with me for a long time.
If you could gather any musicians or musical groups to collaborate with, whom would that be?
Probably Steven Wilson for a great similarity of musical views and tastes.
What’s next as far as new recordings or other projects?
In the spring of 2016 the new Hostsonaten, “Cupid & Psyche”,will be published. It’s a work for group and orchestra made together with keyboardist/arranger Luca Scherani. At this moment I’m working on the pre-production of my next solo album and producing some new bands.