Interview with Gabrile Gozzi from Markonee, Rhyme, Killer Klown and Skill In Veins
Calle: What got you into music in the first place?
Gozzi: Well at first, it was just a game. I was 17 and a couple of friends of mine were looking for a singer….I had sung only one time before in a school recital. I tried, it was fun, and I never stopped!
Calle: Who are your biggest influences?
Gozzi: Many..too many hahah..I would say John Farnham, David Coverdale,Glenn Hughes, Myles Kennedy and Chris Cornell
Calle: How old were you, when you realize you had a great voice and when did you decide you wanted to be a rock singer?
Gozzi: Actually, I never say that I have a great voice, it’s a very subjective matter to me.If someone likes it it’s awesome and I feel honored, otherwise..it’s life!! I decided to get serious about singing at the age of 20 I would say. Like I said before, a game it was, a “professional passion” it became, and rock n roll in all of its forms, is a way of life and expression, the one which I belong to.
Calle: You are singing in bands like Markonee, Killer Klown, Skill In Veins and Rhyme. How do you have time to sing in all those bands?
Gozzi: I don’t hahahah!My primary bands are Rhyme and Markonee right now. Killer Klown has been currently put on stand by for an undefined period. Maybe one day me and Andrea Martongelli will get together again to talk about it, but not now. We have too many things going on.Skill In Veins is just a project to me, a great one, but I was hired as session singer to do the job.
Markonee Rhyme
Killer Klown Skill In Veins
Calle: It must also be hard to coordinate the tour and recording schedules?
Gozzi: I would like to be able to say yes, hahaha but I’m not touring that much right now. The hard part comes in when I have to coordinate the gigs with my job as a TVS pro vocal teacher, but I always try to do my best to keep up!
Calle: Between the touring and recordings you also work as a vocal coach. Do you have any spare time at all?
Gozzi: A few time..but I do. I’m taking Pilates lessons because it’s relaxing and focusing at the same time, I’m vocal student myself of course and I love watching movies too…I would say that pretty much all the money I earn, I spend it health and lessons hahaha.
Calle: How much of the music/lyrics do you write in those bands?
Gozzi: It’s a strange coincidence but all the music and lyrics had already been written, when I joined each of those bands. I gave hints here and there of course and had my personal touch, but that’s it. In the future I’ll have more game in songwriting I guess.
Calle: You have worked with Alessandro Del Vecchio (the well known Italian singer, songwriter, producer etc) on a few occasions. Will you be working with him in the future?
Gozzi: Of course!! Ale is my Italian TVS vocal coach! We’re always working together as we’re both certified vocal teachers of this great vocal technique called TVS (The Vocalist Studio) created by mr.Robert Lunte from Seattle. Our synergy is unbelievable sometimes!! We make a great team and I will always owe him! So to all the singers out there, if you really wanna learn how to sing like a pro, contact me or Ale or Rober Lunte.!! We’re all over Facebook and myspace!
Calle: You’ve supported bands like Winger, Gotthard, White Lion and Y&T. What other band/bands would you like to share a stage with?
Gozzi: The dream is Whitesnake, and Alter Bridge
Calle: What can people expect when they go see one of your bands live?
Gozzi: Pure energy and giving all that we have to the people, it doesn’t matter if they are 2 or 2000!I sang in front of 8 people in Germany last week. It was one of the best shows of my life!
Calle: What’s the most fun/crazy experience you have had during a show or tour?
Gozzi: Nothing crazy……but been called onstage by Kip Winger to sing “Helter Skelter”…is the shit!!!!
Calle: I was lucky to see you live with Markonee in Copenhagen. When will you be back (with any of your bands) to give the Danish crowd a good show?
Gozzi: I would come right now!!!!!!I really hope to be back asap!!! If you do know someone who could be interested…let me know hahahah!!! Seriously, if there’s a promoter out there who wants to give us a chance, we’re here ready and willing!!
Calle: How would you describe the Italian rock/metal scene right now?
Gozzi: The scene is there. We have some many freaking cool bands here! The problem of my nation is having promotion!! There are few promoters willing to risk, but most of the times they’re not to be blamed because these days, original rock music doesn’t pay the bills! Our system is made to make the rich richer. And another thing. The average Italian doesn’t go out to see concerts if there isn’t a big name on the bill. They say there’s crisis, ok I agree, but if you can spend 1000/2000 euros a year to buy cigarettes, you could save it and go to a few more live gigs and have fun.
Calle: Can you name 3 other new rock/metal bands you would recommend people to check out?
Gozzi: Well….Rhyme and Markonee of course!! ^_^ hahah. I would say Shinedown, Heaven’s Basement, and D-Vines….some are not that new…but it’s ok.
Calle: You have realesed CD’s from Markonee, Killer Klown and Skill In Veins. What’s the next CD-release you’ll be the singer on?
Gozzi: RHYME’s debut album. We’re working on the release date , artwork and title right now. The prees release is about to be sent all over the internet as we speak. It’s gonna be an amazing record. The best and more challenging I’ve done so far.
Calle: How would you describe the music of Markonee, Killer Klown, Skill In Veins and Rhyme to the people who haven’t’ heard you’re the music?
Gozzi: Markonee is pure 80’s hard rock, Killer Klown is more of a street metal, Skill In Veins is a bluesy 80’s hard rock, and Rhyme is post grunge/alternative hard rock, a real mix between old and brand new.
Calle: All the CD reviews (from the mentioned bands) I have seen on the Internet have been pretty good and you seem to get a lot of credit as a singer. How does that make you feel?
Gozzi: Very proud and honored that the hard work and money spent…are not in vain!!
Calle: Would you ever consider making a solo album?
Gozzi: Yes and I honestly don’t know what would be the result haha!I don’t have time for that right now! One day for sure!!
Calle: Of all the songs you have recorded, which one do you like the most?
Gozzi: On the new Rhyme album, there’s one called “Hiding From The Dark”. That’s the one I think.
Calle: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Gozzi: I don’t see myself honestly. I try to live day by day. I’ll continue my path and see what happens.
Calle: What’s the best advice you can give to up-coming bands?
Gozzi: As I’m in many upcoming bands myself, I would say: DON’T GIVE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED!
And now some questions outside your music:
Calle: What was the first CD/LP you ever purchased?
Gozzi: Metallica “S/M”
Calle: What is the latest CD you bought?
Gozzi: Papa Roach “Time For Annihilation”
Calle: What’s your top 5 CD’s of all time?
Gozzi: 1987 (Whitesnake), Stormbringer (Deep Purple), Audioslave (Audioslave), Inside Information (Foreigner) and Uncovered (John Farnham)
Calle: What was the best concert you’ve ever attended as a fan?
Gozzi: Alice In Chains in Padova…a few months ago.
Calle: What do you do when you’re not playing music or being a vocal coach?
Gozzi: Watching tons of movies, Pilates, surfing the web!
Calle: Name one song you wish you had written and why?
Gozzi: Please don’t ask me by John Farnham on the album uncovered…piano and voice, maybe the only song that gives me never-ending chills…it’s not a rock song, but it’s something so sweet and powerful at the same time, that I just can’t explain…
Calle: If you could put together your dream band, who would be in that band?
Gozzi: John Farnham on Vocals, Reb Beach on Guitar, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk from Audiosalve on bass and drums. AWESOME!
Calle: If I say Denmark what’s the first thing that comes to your mind?
Gozzi: Politeness
Calle: Can you name one thing that you think only Italian people do?
Gozzi: The real pizza
Calle: Do you have any last words for the fans?
Gozzi: I hope your number will grow day by day…to last a lifetime!!!!I love ya all!!!
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