Vince Chinaski
Who would have ever imagined his ramblings would take him as far north as Scandinavia. Growing up in Rome was quite the adventure; both challenging and lots of fun being a young punk in that colossus of a city, overflowing with heritage, wacky traffic and nuns. His ramshackle Vespa was always in need of repairs, as was the gear of the indie bands he founded or joined up (i.e. Radiobuzz, Technicolor, Mathilda Mothers).
In the mid '00s Berlin called and he answered. Embraced the ultimate european frontier, Vince joined more bands (The Man No. 9 / Haute Areal, The Innits / Sunday Service Records), Zürich-based Division Kent / Sony BMG), toured extensively across Europe, produced and DJed (how can you not?) as Tanzfaster and kicked off his solo project Pocket Sea Change. Then one night, after playing a gig, he stumbled upon the big love. Just like that. She snatched his heart and took him to Copenhagen where he started writing and producing the body of work that is Vince Chinaski.
Never painted black
Die Inspiration ungewöhnlich, alles begann als improvisiertes Wiegenlied für seinen Nachwuchs, der es mit dem Einschlafen nicht ganz so einfach hatte. "Baby Walking Night", Runde für Runde wird abgespult. Ein GP in dem der Preis am Ende ein schlafendes Baby ist. Ideen kamen und verschwanden wieder, ließ er uns wissen, freie Hände diese festzuhalten standen nicht zur Verfügung, so wurde auf Spontanität gesetzt.
"Never painted black" klingt außergewöhnlich, eine Art Mischung aus Folk mit durchaus rockigen Elementen die sich im Jazz treffen und ergänzen, um dabei die Renaissance großer Singer und Songwriter einzuleiten, förmlich einläuten.
Beachtenswert die Details, sprich die kleinen Melodien und Soundcollagen, der zweiten Reihe, die Nichterzähltes hörbar machen. Vince Chinaski tritt bei "Never painted black" nicht nur als meisterhafter Regisseur in Erscheinung sondern auch als grandioser Sänger.
"Never painted black", eine Retrospektive in der Spontanität zur feinen Kunst des Alt-Pop/Rock reift.
Q&A
Vince Chinaski is...?
I've always had my solo project going besides playing in several bands both in Rome and Berlin. When I eventually moved to Copenhagen I felt I had to break with the past and experiment more as a one-man-band.
I locked myself up in this rough/cool studio in Nørrebro and produced the body of work that is going to be the first album as Vince Chinaski. In a way it feels like a debut and it's exciting. It still surprises me how the songs developed naturally in unexpected ways.
Who inspired you to make music in general?
I don't want to sound braggy but I think I'm actually born into it. I grew up in a post-hippie home, where all kind of music was on 24/7 and almost everyone played an instrument....and especially to the song "Never painted black"?
The song started as an improvised lullaby for my sleepless newborn boy who struggled terribly into the night and yet joyfully relished every single moment of the day. Life being awe-inspiring just like that; no need for all the constructs that come later on when we harden. During those endless baby-walking nights, having no soothing aid to spare but my voice, I couldn't use my hands to jot down lyrics so I would croon the melody over and over in the dark. Night after night, ideas came and went, and the song evolved spontaneously.The track has a great arrangement, especially the background sounds create an amazing atmosphere, how much time did you spend to find the right sounds and on the mix?
Eons, really. When I started producing and arranging the song I knew exactly the atmosphere I wanted to create around the message but I had no fixed plan on how to achieve that. I started experimenting in the studio until I felt I had moulded the right sound.
What is your creative process like?
I always start with a melody or phrase in my head. If that idea sticks for a few days I take the guitar and write the whole song.
I like it when my songs don't depend on the studio-work to be complete. They should stand the guitar-voice test. Once I feel they do, I can dive into the arrangement and go crazy with it.
Do you remember your first ever self written song?
I actually do. As a kid I spent hours tapping relentlessly on my dad's old typewriter. I loved the clicky sound of it. Quickly I went from pages full of aaaaefghjjkdjeeexxhhheehhzz to a full song. I remember the title was “Life”.
What's your most useful talent besides music?
I think I'm a decent handyman and I like to recycle and repair stuff.
What do you prefer, a live gig or a studio session?
They are very different horses to ride. Playing/singing on stage to real people in front of you is a very powerful experience. In the studio is more about unleashing all your creativity and wrestle with it until you win. I guess I love both equally.
What’s next for you?
Besides playing as many gigs as I can, the plan is to release a few singles and the album in 2022. I'm also working on new material for the next one.
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