{"id":47405,"date":"2014-12-15T22:24:41","date_gmt":"2014-12-16T03:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=47405"},"modified":"2014-12-15T22:24:41","modified_gmt":"2014-12-16T03:24:41","slug":"interview-with-alessandro-del-vecchio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2014\/interview-with-alessandro-del-vecchio\/","title":{"rendered":"Alessandro Del Vecchio"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska<\/span>
\n– Senior Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To call this Italian musician a man of many parts is no exaggeration \u2013 in fact, if you think about the living institutions of melodic rock these days, the name of Alessandro Del Vecchio is one of the first that should have come to your mind. From his work behind the console to his keyboard\/Hammond organ wizardry and the extraordinary, well-trained voice, the aulic producer of Frontiers Records, a member of many a band and a mastermind of quite a few projects is perhaps one of the busiest musicians on earth! But even though all these are facts, Alessandro has found some time for a friendly chat with Hardrock Haven about his recent endeavors and what the future holds in store for him. <\/p>\n

\"AlessandroDelVecchio03\"<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: When we talked for the last time, it was 2010. Throughout these four years, you\u2019ve managed to turn yourself into the busiest musician on earth! How do you manage to find time to pursuit all your activities as a producer, musician, songwriter, the voice teacher\u2026 – and remain passionate about what you do?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: Ciao Alexandra. Wow\u2026 4 years\u2026? Seems it was just yesterday! Well, I am a driven person and I wanna waste no time. I think in this business there’s no place for those who don’t give one hundred per cent or even more. After all, there’s always somebody to jump on the train you built, so you’d better ride it and fast!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Which part of your career is the most important or the most satisfying for you at the moment?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: Obviously in this moment the most rewarding one is the production side of my carrier. But I am very happy of everything I do. I’m lucky I can produce musicians I grew up with, tour with my bands and still manage to do vocal seminars and teach vocals all through Italy.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: One of the most interesting projects you\u2019re currently a part of was Mother Road together with Keith Slack, Chris Lyne, Zacky Tsoukas and Frank Binke. What do you think about the album Drive that saw the light of day this year?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: I’m very proud of the album. It took a lot of time\u2026 like all good things! Chris is the main force behind this band and I didn’t write a note of it but still there\u2019s a lot of me on these songs. I consider myself a Hammond player and Chris contacted me because I could provide a real Hammond work for the album \u2013 no clones or digital plug-ins… I proudly own the real deal, Hammond and Leslie, the best combination for rock’n’roll! <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Keith and Chris now writing material for the sophomore album of Mother Road, do you plan to continue with the band? <\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: I would love to continue as I’m proud of what we have done. The press reaction has been pretty outstanding for a record that’s pretty far from my usual camp.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Mother Road is an international band that is largely based on technology. From the perspective of a contemporary musician, do you think the development of technology was more of a blessing or a curse for the music industry?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: It’s a blessing and a curse. It gave the possibility to work easily in the distance and record sometimes even just from a hotel room without renting a big studio. On the other hand the quality sometimes is really bad and people think that you just need a PC and few cracked pieces of software to make the magic happen. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: The Hammond-laden Drive was more \u201870s-oriented than the majority of the albums you\u2019ve participated in. Hence, a tough question \u2013 Hammond or \u201880s AOR keyboards? And why?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: Hammond for one hundred percent! Just a Hammond and a Fender Rhodes would do for me! If you want to hear something Hammond-driven by me, please check \u201cRebel On The Run\u201d by Moonstone Project. It’s great classic rock. Mother Road has more of a gospel kinda Hammond work which is where I really come from musically.<\/p>\n

To continuing to read the interview click the link below:
\n<\/p>\n

\"AlessandroDelVecchio02\"Hardrock Haven: You\u2019re also the behind-the-scenes mastermind of the new project featuring Lenna Kuurmaa of Vanilla Ninja. How it was to collaborate with Lenna? What do you think about the results of your collaboration?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: I love this album. It’s poppy, it’s got great songs and Lenna has been a pleasure to work with. Super prepared, professional and funny. Love working with her and she seems to love working with me.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Do you think Moonland will help Lenna in her metamorphosis from the face of a girl band Vanilla Ninja to more ambitious and rock-oriented artist? <\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: We’re all hoping for that. I mean, a talent like that deserve the international scene. She is still a star in her own country but we are working for a worldwide presence for her.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Also recently you\u2019ve worked with Three Lions and now are working with Nigel Bailey on his solo project. How similar (or different) Nigel\u2019s album will be in comparison to Three Lions\u2019 stunning debut?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: Bailey’s album is more straight hard rock. It’s got melodic moments but it’s more of a rocking driven album than Three Lions. Even if they are similar, Bailey’s got no keyboards and Three Lions have got a lot of keys. Three Lions is a band work and Bailey’s was Nigel’s vision and I produced and arranged it. What a great singer he is!<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Have to agree about it! Another eye-catching project you collaborated on was Rated X, with its star-studded line-up. How did Rated X come to life and how so distinctive, independent personas managed to blend into one musical unit?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: It’s been a nice, rough, long ride. Rated X started because Serafino of Frontiers wanted to create a band for Joe to put him into a real band and not into a project again. He agreed and my name came out and right after my friend Carmine Appice was on board with Tony Franklin. After that we went through few guitarists. I wrote most of the songs (9 out of 12) and Joe wrote 3 songs. We then arranged them all together to give it a band vibe. It came out very cohesive if you think everybody recorded in different studios. <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Rated X, with Joe Lynn Turner, Carmine Appice, Tony Franklin and Karl Cochran on board, is a true super-group. What do you think about super-group in generals? Is there any chance for them to last longer than an album or two?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: Well, first of all, I hope Rated X will go a long way. We’re planning gigs and tours and already taking about a second album. So I believe it’s always in the hands of who is a part of these super groups. Black Country Communion has been a good demonstration of how it can work out good. In the end everything is also in the hands of the market. If people like it and buy records, these super-groups will keep on doing their thing.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Talking about the super-groups you\u2019re somehow involved in, there\u2019s another project formed by Jack Blades, Deen Castronovo and Doug Aldrich that\u2019s called Revolution Saints. Having collaborated with them as well, what is your experience of working with Revolution Saints?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: My absolute top, honestly. The level of professionalism, care, involvement and delivery make this super-group something different. Again I wrote most of the songs and Deen also asked to sing the song I wrote that features Neal Schon on guitar. You should never stop dreaming, huh\u2026? The reaction on this album has been incredible, but honestly, I think I topped myself. The songs are very cool, melodic but powerful. Once you get to work with these three gentlemen, Neal Schon and Arnel Pineda\u2026 you can get spoiled I guess.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: When I interviewed you for the first time, we\u2019ve been discussing the third album of your band Edge Of Forever that came out around that time. Is the band on hiatus right now and do you plan to come back to this?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: I’m very active, probably even too much, but when it comes to my band I’m slow and I take things more seriously and with even more care than normally. I’m never satisfied so it’s always a long process. I guess next year is gonna be the right one for this.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Are there any other projects you\u2019re currently engaged in? Anything you\u2019d like to reveal, or comment on?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: I’m actually producing one of the finest singer in metal worldwide and my Voodoo Circle buddies join me in this ride. Can’t say the name \u2018tho! (laughs) I\u2019m also currently producing Ted Poley’s new album and a band called Livin Out Loud<\/em> with Craig Goldy and some cool friends\u2026 In the spring I will be producing the new Hardline too, which is what I’m gonna focus on more as we are on to something very cool!<\/p>\n

To continuing to read the interview click the link below:
\n<\/p>\n

\"AlessandroDelVecchio01\"<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: You participate not only as a musician, but also, a songwriter in many projects that we\u2019ve 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?<\/p>\n

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\u2026 so lately I tried to write about different things \u2013 and also about love, but not as the typical AOR song would have.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: You\u2019re one of the most experienced producers in Melodic Rock now. What kind of approach should the perfect producer have? How do you think?<\/p>\n

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 \u2013 I care about every aspect, songs, delivery, recording technique, mix\u2026 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 \u201cthing\u201d but keeping the artists true to themselves and to what people would like to hear from them.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Do you still find time to work with less-known bands, perhaps of the local Italian scene? <\/p>\n

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\u2026 <\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: You\u2019re 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?<\/p>\n

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).<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: This year, you\u2019ve 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\u2019t know much about Poland and our rock scene, what are your impressions? <\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: I like it. I like the fact that I fly over Europe to reach another country to make music with friends\u2026 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 \u201cGame Of Love\u201d from the new single Killing Time<\/em> by CETI. CETI\u2019s a hard rock\/heavy metal band fronted by Greg (Grzegorz Kupczyk, formerly of Turbo) who\u2019s a kind of a Polish national hero.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Absolutely, and a real legend! Back to the topic, what are your current plans?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: Planning some vacations\u2026 (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.<\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven: Is there anything you\u2019d like to add in the end?<\/p>\n

Alessandro Del Vecchio: Yes \u2013 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\u2026? (laughs)<\/p>\n

Visit Alessandro Del Vecchio online: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/aledelvecchio<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Alexandra Mrozowska – Senior Columnist — To call this Italian musician a man of many parts is no exaggeration \u2013 in fact, if you think about the living institutions of melodic rock these days, […]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":47412,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10850],"tags":[10410,10411,203,9072,10117,10393],"class_list":{"0":"post-47405","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arcint2014","8":"tag-alessandro-del-vecchio","9":"tag-edge-of-forever","10":"tag-interview","11":"tag-mother-road","12":"tag-rated-x","13":"tag-revolution-saints"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47405"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47405\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}