Angelini, with ‘Ero’ io and Pier Cortese between karma and time

Reflective and introspective while remaining sufficiently “playful”. They are like this Roberto Angelini and Pier Cortese in their new work which is titled “Ero”, album that is part of the Discoverland project, released on September 20. It is the third in the series: the first came out in 2012, the second in 2016. And for this new “creature”, the duo also put their lifelong friend to work: Niccolo’ Fabi. “Ero” is a concept album entirely composed of unreleased songs. A work of eight songs, the result of the creativity of Cortese and Angelini but also of the collaboration of Leo Pari, friend and supporter of Discoverland since the beginning. Fabi is the pen, musician and voice in the songs “Gange”, “Terza Eta'”, and “Karmatango”. On YouTube there is the video clip of “Terza eta'”, the first single from the album shot in the studio during the recording of the album by Emiliana Aligeri and Simone Cecchetti, which, in its authenticity, reveals the friendship and deep esteem that has bound the three artists for over twenty years. “Ero” presents itself as the synthesis of a journey through different cultures and visions, experiences in the studio and live, in which the two artists express their thoughts in the face of the passing of time, a pretext for a comparison with what we are and what we will become. Karma, reincarnation, the multiple perspectives of existence: an evocative and wonder-filled celebration of the present, in the acceptance of the continuous evolution of the human being and nature, with the awareness that movement and change are inevitable and that, despite our fragilities, we can always find refuge in love. In this project, Pier Cortese and Roberto Angelini seem more introspective, reflective, narrators. Is it a phase in your life? “We simply put ourselves to the test – says Angelini – trying to create a concept album about life. Surely the trip we all three took to India last December inspired a series of reflections, but it’s always us, the usual c”. The new album is part of a distant project: “Pier and I – explains the musician – gave life to this initiative more than 15 years ago, during a festival. Pier’s idea was to change the perspective of some famous songs, using our sounds to give them a new identity. So we made the first two albums, characterized by the deconstruction of famous songs, with the aim of creating an active relationship with the public, forced to recognize quotes and songs in our crazy mash-ups”. And now it’s “Ero”‘s turn: “It’s the title track of the album – he adds – and it’s a song that talks about reincarnation. It’s past, present and future. The question we asked ourselves is whether there is life after earthly life. The thought of being connected with nature, with the animal world, not necessarily from a spiritual point of view, but perhaps more through an empathic bond, a connection between living beings”.

The album features many contributions, and the collaboration with Niccolo’ Fabi stands out: in reality, all three of you are for each other. You collaborated and produced Tradizione e Tradimento, a very famous album by Nic. In short, you have always worked together. And you accompany each other in concerts. Not only that, among the musicians of “Ero” there is also a certain Gabriele Angelini. Will he come on tour with you? “Niccolo’ and I have known each other for a lifetime: we have collaborated and shared stages for years – says the artist – The Discoverland project made Niccolo’ fall in love with my and Pier’s sound, starting an even more assiduous collaboration, both in the production of the album and in his tours. The funny thing is that for the first time we are swapping roles. If for years Pier and I have been at the service of Nic’s songs, in this case, both in the album and in concerts, Niccolo’ will be our musician and what an honor! Gabriele, my son, participated in the ‘primordial’ session. Many of his musical ideas have remained: for me it is a beautiful and exciting thing. I find a great talent in my house who is starting to play better than me. But the boy has to finish high school, and so no, no tour this time”. What contaminations are there in Ero? Are we acoustic? Electronic? You play the lap steel, one of the few in Italy to do so… “Pier and I have always tried to amaze each other. Each of us – adds the singer-songwriter – brings the fruit of their own musical research, whether acoustic or electric, it makes no difference. In this album there is both the lap steel and the pedal steel. What we try to do is force ourselves not to follow a canonical path in the arrangement of the songs. And then I have to tell you the truth: I have met many lap steel players around Italy. Fortunately it is spreading and I have the unhealthy idea, one day, to create an orchestra of only lap steel!”.
Let’s go into detail about Ero, the lyrics and music are by both of them. Among the pieces, is there one that you feel is particularly yours? “The writing process with Discoverland is, for me, a fascinating experience, different from how I normally approach composition. Usually – Angelini explains – I tend to be alone and isolated, while with Pier, Leo Pari and Niccolo’ it was a choral work, even fun. Many ideas came from the Cortese universe, and then there were endless discussions even just for a word. I am proud of ‘La terza eta”, because in my opinion we touched on a delicate and little-discussed theme. I am fond of ‘Karmatango’ for a guitar riff that I had in the drawer for years”.
Today’s music, of today’s young people: how do you judge rappers, current singer-songwriters and, expanding overseas, contributions like Post Malone, Taylor Swift? “Every generation has its own music – Angelini comments – because young people need to find artists who reflect their contemporaneity. Taking off the ‘grumbler’s coat’ that has already lived through several generations, there is always and always will be, as there has always been, good music and badly made music. Hurray for Fulminacci, hurray for Calcutta, hurray for Post Malone. I don’t get Taylor Swift’s music, but I’m rooting for her, given her engagement against Trump, and because the music industry needs tough women like her”.
And the dissemination of music through social media?
“They offer so many opportunities. Paradoxically – he explains – they can be more democratic than when, in my era, you had to please someone ‘important’ to make a record. But, like every means that technology makes available, changing our habits and our lives, they can be used extremely badly”. And speaking of “Terza eta'”, how do you see yourself in the future? “I would like to see myself curious and passionate – he concludes – Making experience available to help young people and, at the same time, feeding on their enthusiasm. What do I ask for my future and that of the people I love? Health”.