Alessandro del Vecchio - Interview

R'n'R : What are your first memories with music as a kid ?

AdV : I have been in love with music since I have recollections. I remember my father playing his long plates and mom singing the whole time, so I can easily say I’ve been raised in music. Both my parents weren’t musicians but they were able to share their love of music with me and my brother and that’s who we ended up like this.

R'n'R : How did you decide to be more than a musician ? I mean you’re also a producer, songwriter, mixing engineer.

AdV : It came out naturally. When I heard “the call” I just wanted to be a keyboardist, but I always sang and I wanted to write my own songs. And on top of that I was always curious about how the sound of the records I love were done. I was attracted by the different snare sounds, the stereo panning. So I don’t know, I just let it go and it felt natural to just not fit into one category

R'n'R : What is your job at Frontiers Music ?

AdV : I’m the in-house producer. First call producer and songwriter when it comes to Frontiers albums or artists. I’m also a signed artist with Edge Of Forever and a solo artist.

R'n'R : You’re involved in Revolution Saints, Hardline, Edge of Forever and you compose, arrange and produce for many other bands. How do you manage your schedule ?

AdV : I am not a planner but I have to sometimes. I don’t give myself deadlines in all honesty. I just sit down, get it done with a smile and pass on the next. I enjoy the process and when it’s done, it’s done, I’m eager to do more as I go.

Video of Price We Pay by Revolution Saints

Photo : Tommaso Barletta

Video of Take A Chance by Hardline

R'n'R : Edge of Forever seems to have a special place in your career. Why ?

AdV : Simply because that’s where I started this journey and this band is my own vehicle to express who I am without limits. Being the singer I can write my own lyrics and touch the subjects I care for and want to deliver in my message. Also, musically Edge of Forever stands apart from the other bands I have. There might be an “Ale” thing that is in common with Revolution Saints, or Hardline, or Jorn, but Edge of Forever is a different entity and it’s me 100%.

Video of Native Soul by Edge of Forever

R'n'R : How do you compose ? What are the main differences between composing for you (and your own bands) and composing for others ?

AdV : It’s mainly the lyrics. Even if I tend to write meaningful lyrics I always try to write for the singer and make it true for him. Stylewise I write as I write but I adapt every time for the artist so that my songs can reflect the artist in its own light without taking aways the individual soul from the music. I would get bored of writing with an ego. I’m not like that, I want the artists to sound like them through my notes and words.

R'n'R : You produced a lot of « Live in Milan » (Quiet Riot, LA Guns, Tyketto, Mr Big...). Why in Milan ? Because it’s close to your home and you have your habits in this city ?

AdV : Most of these happened at Frontiers Rock Festival so, here’s the Milan common topic. Mr.Big was a different album as it was specifically organized by Frontiers in order to shoot the DVD.

R'n'R : When you produce and work for LA Guns (hard rock), or Sunstorm (AOR) or Jorn Lande (melodic metal), how do you do to give the « good sound » to the band ?

AdV : I let the sound speak for itself. To me it’s not like “ok, let’s make it sound like this or that”. To me the songs are calling for the right sound, the artist is calling for the right sound. There’s no special formula honestly. Only great ethics in respecting who I am working for and trusting the music and my ears and heart.

Video of Needles And Pins by Jorn

R'n'R : With the arrival of Mario Percudani on guitars in Hardline, did you change something in the sound of the band. In my opinion the sound is heavier than with Josh Ramos.

AdV : The combination of Mario being closer IMO to Neal Schon and Marco Di Salvia being closer to Deen Castronovo made the Hardline sounds heavier. Mario is a different guitarist than Josh. Mario fits perfectly with every side of our repertoire and is a great songwriter as well. He brought a new life to the band and I’m grateful he is in this journey with us!

Video of Fever Dreams live by Hardline

R'n'R : What COVID-19 crisis changed for you and your work ? Did you find time to work on other projects you couldn’t work on « normal time » ?

AdV : Well, it’s an understatement to say that COVID-19 hasn’t had a big impact on all of us. I lost around 50 gigs in a matter of days and I had to adapt and shift any paradigm I had before. I had to reconcile with my own deepest strength and find the right position of myself in this new times and I ended up writing more than before, producing more than before and creating lots of amazing albums.

Alessandro Del Vecchio has released "Sounds From The Notebook - The Demo Sessions," a collection of the original versions of tracks later recorded by Hardline, Revolution Saints, Find Me, Edge Of Forever, Place Vendome, Sunstorm, and more.Click to buy or stream " Sounds From The Notebook "- The Demo Sessions"

R'n'R : You work and worked with many musicians, the list is impressive. In your deeper dreams, who would you like to work with ?

AdV : Paul McCartney. That would be the ultimate box to tick.

R'n'R : Do you feel differences producing american and european bands ? I mean in the sound of the records.

AdV : Yes and no. I generally love more the open, groovier American sound but it is my taste. The biggest difference is always in the groove and the rhythm sections but I love them both and appreciate both sides of the coin. The groovier or the tighter.

R'n'R : You’re a singer too : do you work your voice , do you have a vocal teacher ?

AdV : I had vocal teacher is in the past and still train constantly as I’m a vocal instructor myself. I do not exercise everyday but especially closer the tours I do workouts and keep my voice always in shape.

R'n'R : What are your projects ?

AdV : Getting more things done, accomplishing more dreams, living the life I could never imagine I could live and enjoy every single moment of this lifetime!

R'n'R : If you have time after making and producing music, what are your hobbies ?

AdV : I love sports, I do weights, run, bike, hike with my dog. I am also a Harley Davidson proud owner so as the weather allows it I go north enjoying our own Alps and lakes. Besides that I’m a Vegan and Animal Rights advocate and I always take time to do that as it is my mission in life.

Video of Back On My Trail (Revolution Saints) by Alessandro del Vecchio