Lorenzo Gabanizza has released his latest song ‘I Guess I Am the Only One’, collaborating with another musician with the same energy, Jeff Christie. The song due to the pure organic music and enchanting voice of the artist is loved by listeners worldwide. So, let’s hear from him what he actually thinks about the release and success of the song.
DMR: Hey Lorenzo Gabanizza, first of all, congratulations on all the responses you are receiving for your song ‘I Guess I Am the Only One’. The song is just fantastic in every respect. So, tell our audiences what do you feel about the song?
Lorenzo: Thank you for your appreciative words. Is not so easy to answer this one. What do I feel about the song? Proud of the results. You know, we peaked at #7 in the Itunes UK Country songs charts, that’s a great achievement – you know, there was a moment in which we were one spot behind Taylor Swift and two before Kenny Rogers…I mean: WOW!
DMR: What made you believe the song would hit the mind of the listeners?
Lorenzo: Albeit I haven’t written the song with this goal in mind, well, it surely has a catchy refrain, and it’s bright and fits very well with summertime. I can easily imagine this kind of song airing on the beach, between a reggaeton song and Beyoncé. But really, when I write songs I never try to catch the success and compose accordingly. I create music following my inspiration and to spread messages which I consider worthy of attention.
DMR: Are you happy with the responses you are getting from people?
Lorenzo: You bet. The song is doing great, as said. My previous single with Jeff did well too, reaching #1 in South Africa, but here we’re speaking of England, another market, much more crowded, and all has happened in a couple of weeks, along with worldwide airplay, interviews, articles on the Sunday Express, the Jewish telegraph etc.
DMR: We all know that you stand for a global cause. Do you want to mention anything about the cause that you are active in?
Lorenzo: Yes. I’ve been involved my whole life in social causes, from the Mercury Phoenix Trust to 320 Changes direction. At present, I am involved in a great cause, “Minds Behind the Music”, which aims to save the planet and support Born Free Foundation, which, as stated in their mission, is a charity that’s passionate about wild animal welfare and Compassionate Conservation. I am proud to be part of this great big family of artists supporting the cause to save the planet (among those, Jeff Christie, Status Quo – Genesis – Jethro Tull – Deep Purple etc.) , directed by a wonderful human being: Phil G. We recently released a fundraising album which I strongly suggest you listen to. Aside from me, and my song dedicated to George Floyd, it features awesome indie talents like Those Men, Schizofranic, mAncient, Philip Foxley, Cohen Rhys, Doctor Zee, The Star Prairie Project,Bad Skullianz, Jay Elle and Tom Tikka. You can find all the infos on the website https://mindsbehindthemusic.carrd.co/
DMR: What do you want to achieve in the music industry?
Lorenzo: Well, my music will do the work for me. I am not focused primarily on success, but in my search for the perfect song. Look, I mean, in my perspective, a music career is a walk, and you necessarily walk step by step. The only thing that matters is not the previous step or the one you did or will do tomorrow; it’s the step you’re doing that matters the most. So, of course I am glad about success, and being mentioned in music history books, but the only thing I try to achieve here, is to build a connection with the audience, which is THE Family for a musician, at least, for a musician like me who sees success as a collective result. Yes this is the point, build a connection, leave a footprint and be understood.
DMR: How do you want people to remember you?
Lorenzo: Exactly as I am. I prefer to be hated for what I am than loved for what I’m not.
DMR: Do you have any favorite instruments? If you have, do mention a few things about it.
Lorenzo: Guitar is the most fitting for me for its flexibility. I can also play bass, piano, drums, harmonica, keyboards and steirische, but it’s guitar I use when I develop the music idea. I remember the first time I took it in my hands, a little boy full of dreams. I didn’t know then how “Many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a …Musician”…
DMR: In the age of electronic music, your song seems to be organic and gives listeners the vibes of the 90s. How confident are you about the future of organic music?
Lorenzo: Forgive my fussiness, but this song has the vibes of the 70’s, all in all. Besides the fact that myself and all the musicians are rooted in the seventies, I just wanted that bright happy hippie sound. It was a note that I also left to Greg and Steve at the Mastering step. Think that Rusty Wright had to use a Fender Stratocaster through a Fender twin amplifier to reach the sound that I wanted. About the future of organic music, I see it bright and successful. You see, all existence, life by all his means, is an eternal “Go and come back” process. We recently saw the coming back to vinyl, and if you look at artists who were even progressive in a certain spot of their career, they came back to the roots. Evrythings in one way or the other, sooner or later, comes back home.
DMR: You collaborated with Jeff Christie. Tell something about the experience of working with him?
Lorenzo: I have loved Jeff’s music since I was in my mom’s womb. And I still do (keep an eye on the news, because he is almost done with his own album, a great one, my faith). He was the inspiration and model through the years for me, so you can imagine how my knees trembled the first time we met. In 2016, he helped me out to improve and refine two of his songs I was covering in my album “Roses in the sky”. Then we collaborated on my previous single “You’re not there”. Jeff he’s a humble person and I guess he isn’t fully aware of his importance in the musical scene. He is a hell of a writer and musician and he also has the skills to be a mastering engineer. I can swear that nothing escapes his trained ear. So, working with him is the most thrilling, exciting professional experience of my life. I cannot let out the other musicians. Paul Fenton (Original member of christie and also T-Rex drummer) who is a living legend having personally befriended almost all the greatest rock myths: he never changed yet and always kept his sense of humor which is unbeatable…What a legend himself! Kevin Moore, bass player for Christie, B C Sweet, Saxon…I think he is one of the best bass players in this world and he also has a killer voice. You know, when we’re working, there’s no need to speak, because music speaks and we know exactly what’s best for the song and they know exactly what I need. That’s the best. And that goes also for the engineers at Sterling Studios (Thank you Sharon Agnello for your kindness!): Greg Calbi, a legend with 63 grammies and Steve Fallone, who won the Grammy this year for mastering Lady Gaga’s album. Working with such a crew has been fantastic and I hope this doesn’t end here.
DMR: Do you have any inspiration in the music world?
Lorenzo: If you mean artists who inspired and inspire me, well, I can say there are a bunch. You know, Jeff, I already said, but also Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury. This is because their life is inspirational too and they are so unique; they have a personal vision to spread. But I feel that I owe so much to all those who were the soundtrack of my life. Kate Bush (Love her from the very start, I didn’t need Strange things to see her greatness) Barry Ryan (my vocal personal trainer: how many hours spent singing his songs!) Donovan, Bread, Southern Comfort, Johnny Rivers, John Carter (what an overlooked genius!) Queen…even classical composers such as Grieg, Tchaykowsky, Sibelius, Smetana, Chopin…
DMR: Do you want to disclose anything about your future projects?
Lorenzo: Well, there’s not much to be disclosed. I am working on my album and meanwhile I am shooting singles. There are so many things evolving but not decided or settled down that I can’t talk about it yet. As I said before, step after step, and the present will influence the next one.
DMR: Do you want to leave any messages here for your fans?
Lorenzo: Be kind to one another, let love fill your life, not anger and take care of this planet, which is the only one we’ve got. And of course, listen to my music!
