Listen Up Interview: Banjo Or Freakout

johnmcga
By johnmcga Last edited 158 months ago
Listen Up Interview: Banjo Or Freakout

Banjor or FreakoutBanjo or Freakout is Alessio Natalizia, a London-based Italian solo artist with an album of floaty electronic pop on the way and a buzz building steadily around him. If laid-back guitar dreaminess is your cup of tea, watch for his album's release on 21 February.

So, who is behind Banjo or Freakout?
Just me. I write and record all the music but have the amazing Steve and John helping out on stage and on the road.

What do you sound like?
Like a bunch of pop songs hiding under the sea.

Where in London are you based? What's great about it?
I'm based in Hackney. I like it here cause all my friends live in the area. I love walking on the canal to Victoria Park in the morning during the week - but not on the weekend, it goes completely crazy on the weekend!

What's your favourite London venue?
My favourite venue was the Luminaire. I still can't believe it's closed down. People there were amazing - everyone from the door guy to the manager was incredibly nice. It will be missed a lot!

Can you think of an unusual London location that should open itself up for gigs?
I think it would be amazing to do shows in some unused gas towers. Also more museums should be doing shows. Tate Modern should definitely do shows and I'd love to play in the Natural History Museum.

What other new London artists should we be checking out?
All the stuff coming out on amazing labels like No Pain In Pop, Upset The Rhythm, Border Community, Honest Jon's and Soul Jazz.

What happens at your gigs? Do you have other people on stage too?
The live show is constantly changing. I started playing shows by myself but soon realised it made me too stressed and paranoid, so I got other people to play with me. It took me a while to find the right band but I feel like I found it now. We use guitars, drums, vocals and various electronics.

I believe recordings and live show should be different and kind of complete each other. Where the album is more structured the live show is more messy and loose.

Catch Banjo or Freakout at Shhh! this Saturday, on 7 February at The Garage, and supporting The Go! Team at Heaven on 8 February.

Last Updated 18 January 2011