“The last 2 years have been torture. With this album I speak my mind »

On the cover is a chasm that opens into a beautiful English lawn, that’s what the 33-year-old Roman singer-songwriter sings about in Something’s Wrong, the first of twelve tracks on new album Dentro, which has just been released (it’s out Friday). debuted at number four in the FIMI/GFK weekly ranking of best sellers in Italy). It’s a metaphor for the psychological breakdown Gazelle has suffered in recent months, extolled in an album that includes a duet with Thassup on We Were Before, one with Fulminucci on Milioni and one with rap icon Noyz Narcos on Rome. With – he Flavio Pardini, that’s the real name of the most introverted singer-songwriter on the indie circuit (the art is a tribute to a shoe model), will present his first concert on June 9 at the Stadio Olimpico with: «It’s my Most Intimate Records – he explains – I really let the people who listen to me enter inside me».

Rome, Summer 2023 Music Festival: Negramaro, Menskin, Mengoni, Gazelle and many more. here are all the dates

What does this tell?
“Appearances are deceiving. On the surface it seems all is well. But fundamentally, as I sing in the song that opens the album, “something’s wrong”.

What else is wrong?
“I don’t get it. It’s not about depression. It’s a serious matter and I don’t mind touching a delicate subject, because no one has diagnosed it for me. But the last two years have been painful , also for personal reasons».

And the voices in his head he asked “How did it go?” I sing
«It is paranoia that often invades my head. I have learned to persuade us: I extinguish them with music».

Have you felt the need to consult an expert?
“Yeah, but it didn’t go well. I didn’t know how to open up. I would have loved to write a song for a psychologist: it’s the only way I know how to tell myself.”

“It’s all right, even if now it comes at a cost,” she sings. On the other hand, does the weight of success have anything to do with it?
“I exaggerate things in the song. At first it overwhelmed me, then I adapted».

To what extent does “The Inside” explain your development?
«I explore new sounds. It is also a gospel record at times filled with choir and piano. I think I have also matured in the lyrics: they are the most important thing for a songwriter.

Do you feel like a singer-songwriter from Tenco Prize or Sanremo Festival?
“I’m in the middle. I’m a pop songwriter, not a snob. I don’t like to be on a pedestal: I do most of the talking».

Amadeus has started meeting the potential big names of Sanremo 2024: has he ever shown up?
“Not directly. But on the part of their staff they have shown interest in me. Sooner or later I want to go to Sanremo. Maybe”.

What inspired the image of “Blue Rome” that you sing in a duet with Noize Narcos dedicated to the city?
«To the heaven of Rome. Due to which you feel yourself at peace. Rome is somewhat like a bitchy but beautiful woman: I tell her sad side. Noyes gifted me with his poems».

Will you be singing it at the Olimpico on June 9th?
“We’ll see. I’d like to save the surprise for that evening.”

Don’t you feel a little in awe to perform in your hometown stadium?
“Yes. However, it had to happen sooner or later. The 23,000 tickets sold last year at Capanelle gave me courage. In Rome I started with small bars, then clubs, auditoriums, Rock in Rome. At Olimpico I played Vasco, Liga, saw Ed Sheeran. I consider my concerts unique, intimate. As if we are in our own house. Even if for 50 thousand ».

They have never hidden their yellow and red faith: the most exciting match ever seen at Olimpico?
“There is no one in particular. I liked football more when I was young. When Totti stopped first and then De Rossi, two symbols, an era ended».

Now there is Dybala. Has La Joya rekindled her passion?
“Partly yes. Mourinho like him. Dybala represents a pinch of poetry in a football, the modern one, that is too physical and leaves little room for imagination”.

read full article
on messenger