Hardrock Haven: You participate not only as a musician, but also, a songwriter in many projects that we’ve just discussed. Writing for other artists, how personal do you get in your lyrics? Do you try to tailor the particular songs for the particular artist or band?
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Well, I never write personal stuff if it’s not me singing. I just envision a story and write it down. I never write if I’m not asked to write because I like to write for the singer who is gonna sing it. I want to create something that’s truthful to the artist himself and not to my thing. I also hate when singer have to sing lyrics that they would never sing on their own. In the genre of AOR/Melodic Rock there’s too much attention on the love theme, which is cool, but also really overused… so lately I tried to write about different things – and also about love, but not as the typical AOR song would have.
Hardrock Haven: You’re one of the most experienced producers in Melodic Rock now. What kind of approach should the perfect producer have? How do you think?
Alessandro Del Vecchio: I think every producer has his own approach. I come from the approach of guys like Bruce Fairbarn, Bob Rock and guys like them. I’m focused not only on the sound – I care about every aspect, songs, delivery, recording technique, mix… A lot of producers are just recording and mixing engineers, but I see myself more of a complete guy in the studio. I wanna drive the musicians to musical spots they thought they couldn’t reach and get the best and then even more out of them. And then after I get great songs, great delivery and great recordings I care about the mix and the sound. I like to give my productions my “thing” but keeping the artists true to themselves and to what people would like to hear from them.
Hardrock Haven: Do you still find time to work with less-known bands, perhaps of the local Italian scene?
Alessandro Del Vecchio: It’s gonna be tougher and tougher. I’m producing the new Soul Seller record but only because I liked the new material they are writing. I think it’ll be tough from now on, if you think that I’m booked for the whole year…
Hardrock Haven: You’re not only a studio-based musician, you also perform live with many different artists. Do you prefer working at the studio to playing live, or is it the other way around?
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Both. I’d die being only a studio rat or being on the tour bus for months every year. I need balance and I’m homesick anytime I go on tour anyway (laughs).
Hardrock Haven: This year, you’ve visited my homeland Poland twice, participating in tribute concerts in memory of Ronnie James Dio and Jon Lord of Deep Purple. For those of our readers who don’t know much about Poland and our rock scene, what are your impressions?
Alessandro Del Vecchio: I like it. I like the fact that I fly over Europe to reach another country to make music with friends… but also with people I never met before. I can say I made some friends in Poland and also managed to do a duet on the song “Game Of Love” from the new single Killing Time by CETI. CETI’s a hard rock/heavy metal band fronted by Greg (Grzegorz Kupczyk, formerly of Turbo) who’s a kind of a Polish national hero.
Hardrock Haven: Absolutely, and a real legend! Back to the topic, what are your current plans?
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Planning some vacations… (laughs). No, speaking seriously I have some big albums scheduled for the next year and I got a few tours lined up, so it’s all working fine and I wanna seize this moment where I’m asked to do all these amazing things and I’ll do my best to keep it up.
Hardrock Haven: Is there anything you’d like to add in the end?
Alessandro Del Vecchio: Yes – thanks, million thanks Alexandra! Your support over the years means a lot to me. I guess I’ll talk to you in another 4 years…? (laughs)
Visit Alessandro Del Vecchio online: https://www.facebook.com/aledelvecchio
