Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I came from a small city in the northwest region of Italy, Udine. My mum’s Serbian, and my dad is Italian, and they both always loved music. They made me start playing instruments from a very young age as a hobby, but I always knew that I wanted to become a singer.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: Celine Dion was the first and strongest, but I often sang songs by Avril Lavigne, Lady Gaga and some Italian artists like Elisa and Giorgia. I also had a contagious Bieber fever for many years, and of course, I liked One Direction too. My favorite band, though, is One Republic, I love their sound, and I think Ryan Tedder’s songwriting is simply genius.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: Justin Bieber is always in my playlist, and so is OneRepublic. However, lately, I have discovered new artists like Maisie Peters, Benson Boone and Tate McRae. I really like their style. Basically, I like everything that is pop, with a nostalgic taste.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Summerstorm’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Kind of. I got the idea whilst riding my bike and getting soaked in the rain. It was back in Italy, summer was fading, and so was this sort of relationship that I caught myself in. It caught me off guard, like “lightning and thunder in a summer sky”, and even though I knew it wasn’t going to last, it felt like fresh air. It made me realize so many things about myself, and it changed me.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I’m currently working on an album, yes, but there are more singles to come before that, so stay tuned!
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: Catchy melodies, juicy lyrics and relatable stories to tell. My sound is very pop, and I would say a little electronic and alternative.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: This is a tricky question. Obviously, I’d love for millions of people to be able to connect with it, but I’m just getting started, and so far, I’m super happy with how my first single has been perceived. There is also a music video for it, so if you haven’t watched it yet, make sure to check it out. We had so much fun in the making, and that’s truly what matters at the end of the day!
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do you usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: My best ideas always start when I’m about to fall asleep or when I’m busy doing something else rather than music! That’s why I always record a melody line along with some lyrics on my phone so that I can get back to it later. Many times, however, I felt stuck with my ideas and didn’t know how to make them into a finished track. It’s what happened with Summerstorm. It was thanks to Alex Rigueiro, my producer and friend, that the song got its final lyrics and sound!
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: I guess it’s not easy to believe in your dreams when no one else around you sees that they can indeed come true, so you end up second-guessing yourself. My family has always wanted the best for me, but we struggled financially, so I had to work hard to prove to them that I could pursue this career independently. Like every other creative type of work, making music doesn’t pay off straight away, so you end up having to take up many side jobs, and it’s such time and energy-consuming that you may end up losing focus. But hey, I wrote a song about it and can’t wait for you to hear it!
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Well, these songs that I wrote during these times are something to be proud of, for sure. I’m sure you will agree with me as soon as you get a chance to hear them!
