Interviews

Hailing from the sunny climes of Tuscany, Slowaxx lands on Broken District with his new EP ‘Shapes Interfusion’. Slowaxx is a solo project and live band created by producer and composer, Riccardo Chiarucci. The EP is a blend of studio work and live sessions that incorporate lo-fi-hazy jazz and mind warping electronica, with lashings of hip hop swagger. We wanted to get to know a little more about Slowaxx.

Thanks for talking to us today. Where are you this moment and how are you spending the day?

In this moment, I am in Malaysia, just 3 weeks of vacation. I love Southeast Asia in all its forms.

Where are you from exactly and where are you based these days?

I am originally from Colle di Val d'Elsa, the town where I live currently, which is located in the province of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany, where the excellent Chianti wine is produced 😊.

What do you love about where you are living?

I love the excellent food, the good wine, the tranquility of the surrounding countryside, the beauty of the old town and also, the cultural fervor of this place.

How long have you been making music? What was your first step a musician?

I received my first (acoustic) guitar when I was 10 and my first turntables when I was 14 years old. I started to have fun playing vinyl records and then I formed the first grunge band where I sang and played guitar, so it's been about 25 years since I've been enjoying music.

Are you a DJ too?

Yes, I've been doing this for many years, mainly under my Rikha moniker. I love doing this!

What came first Djing or production?

If we consider the early experiences with turntables when I was about 15 years old, then it's Djing. However, if we consider Djing as playing records in a club, then it’s production.

What kind of artists, DJs, genres were you into growing up?

When I was a teenager, I mostly listened to grunge rock (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains), alternative rock (Tool), and electronic music (mainly hardcore/techno). Later on, I started listening to Electro, Techno, Acid club music while still nurturing my passion for grunge rock and industrial rock (Nine Inch Nails) simultaneously. These, let’s say, are my musical roots.

What was your first production?

The first production was a record that my friend producer GgDeX and I made back in 2006, an electro/techno track that was also played by some important DJs in the progressive/techno scene of those years.

What do you feel has been your most notable release, which one made the biggest impact?

With the Slowaxx project, I would mention two: Le Tapis Bleu on Cognitiva Records & Anma Records, and Linn Orchestra on Broken District, for which I received great feedback from the absolute legend Laurent Garnier.

Have you been Djing or performing out much on your local scene?

The local scene is very prolific, and I often play at some local venues including 1001, Sonar, Bottega26.

Who are the artists that you follow right now?

There are so many of them that it’s difficult to compile a list. If I have to mention some in the nu jazz scene, definitely Kamaal Williams and Yussef Dayes are my idols.

What is the most recent record you purchased?

If I have to choose one among the latest bulk purchase, I would say IHY - Silicon Minds (Vibraphone Records).

What other great artists should we watch out for from where you are from?

There is a lot of excitement in my local scene. Certainly, I would mention GgDex, a house music producer with years of experience whom I have collaborated with in the past, and we also have other collaborations in progress. Francesco Macheda, also known as Ai Lati, with whom we have just finished recording an EP collaboration in studio. Andrea Bruno and Antonio Valente who are my partners, involved in other projects including the Eliptica project. Pabloisnotkind, an excellent selector from the Zeugma collective, of which I am also a part, mainly as Rikha. Andrea Pedra, also known as Kian T, super producer with releases on important labels like Toy Tonics.

How did you connect with Broken District?

I discovered Broken District because I was following Sofatalk and had one of his vinyl records on the label. So, I decided to send some demos, and from that moment, I also got to know Sofatalk itself, thus creating a beautiful network of collaborations.

Tell us a little about the Slowaxx collective.

Slowaxx was born as a collective since many musicians, including those outside the band members, have participated and continue to participate in the project. Often, the various tracks originated from recordings of live session jams conducted in my studio. It’s a collective where visions, sounds, and different musical backgrounds intersect.

Give us a short round up of your new EP- Shapes Interfusion

Shapes Interfusion is an intertwining of shapes made of sounds blended during jam sessions with musicians from the collective. It’s the realization of a painting in which each musician has contributed with their musical background and style. It’s an evolution of shapes captured in 6 photos.

Tell us about Young A.M. A. and what he’s been doing?

Young A.M.A. is a local rapper who certainly shows promise. It’s not easy to find talented rappers here around where I live, and he is one of the few, and I’m very glad he has joined the Slowaxx collective. He also released his debut solo album last month. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on.

Who are the musicians on this EP that you would like to shout out?

I would like to mention and thank all the musicians who took part in the studio album recordings and jams, including Luca Sguera, Alessandro Mazzieri, Damiano Ferrandi, Jury Maccianti, Young A.M.A, Dario Firuzabadì, and also all the other musicians of the collective, members of the live band, who contributed to the tracks of the live session and recordings on previous releases, including Luca Cecchi, Giovanni Milano, and Saverio Cacaopardi.

What are you working on next that you can share?

In this past year, I have finished the second album, which is almost ready and will be released in the future on the Italian label Imaginaria Records. The approach to making the album, especially regarding the rhythms, has a more live feel, and the sound touches upon more fusion landscapes. Additionally, I am working on wrapping up an EP with my partner Francesco Macheda, also known as Ai Lati, with more jazzy house/funk vibes.

When you’re not making great music, what do you like to do to kick back?

I take Dylan, my little dog, and go to the countryside for a run or a walk, admiring the beauty of the hills where I live.

Check out the latest release from Slowaxx