Interviews

Bruno Belissimo hooks up with the eclectic Euro Nettuno to collide irresistible disco-funk and Indian vibes on the exceptional new single 'Bruno Boogie'.

Belissimo is a renowned Italian multi-instrumentalist and obsessive producer who brings global energy to his meticulously crafted and kaleidoscopic grooves. His sound is both timeless yet contemporary and full of the sort of character that always stands out. He uses vintage gear to craft his authentic sounds and always cooks up killer grooves with indelible melodies.

Here we get the chance to talk to Bruno on the week of the release on his Polyamore imprint.

Thanks for taking the time to talk. Where are you this moment and how are you spending the day after this interview?

Thank you for having me! I'm going to my studio after the interview. These days I'm finalizing my new album.

Where are you from, where were you born, where are you based?

I'm Italo-Canadian but I've mostly lived in Italy. I grew up between Lake Garda in the north of Italy and Toronto. I am now based in Milan.

What is it you love most about the city in which you live?

I have to say that I am not in love with the city itself but more with the people I know here, they make the city a good place to stay.

How is the health of the music scene where you are?

Like everywhere I guess it is both healthy and not. Just be sincere and do what you like and everything will be fine.

How long have you been playing around with music Bruno?

It's like 10 years now

What are some of the early records you bought?

Italo Disco records of all kinds, especially the ones with the ugliest cover art :)

Where did you buy them from?

Just record stores I bumped into during tours. Also a lot on Discogs.

When did you start to DJ? Where were your first gigs?

I’ve always been a bass player before becoming a DJ. I started just 5 years ago creating my own party and putting myself as resident DJ. That was a good school.

How did you step over into production?

The step into production has been very natural, I’ve always written songs, so I felt I had to learn to finalize them myself.

What was the first record you made do you recall?

The first Bruno Belissimo record was actually in 2016!

Who are the artists that inspire the music that you make?

I’m deeply inspired by the sound of the weirder and obscure Italo Disco, Scandinavian cosmic disco scene and funk classics

When did you begin the Polyamore imprint and what made you start it?

Polyamore started two years ago. I just wanted to create a community of DJs and producers with which to share my vision on club music and on music in general.

What are some of the challenges you face running a record label?

The biggest challenge is to promote new artists at their first release. I’ve always thought that one of the good parts of having a label is scouting new talents, though the way it works now, it makes it harder because it’s all related to the numbers you have on Spotify, Instagram and so on. Being a newcomer means to start form zero. So the support from the very beginning is missing these days.

What can you tell us about Euro Nettuno?

I met Euro Nettuno a few years ago and I really loved them as DJs. They are great! We started to work together right after I opened Polyamore as I wanted them to be in the label so bad! Then we made the EP -Apres Le Paradis” together and our bond became even stronger so we decided to make a song together and this is how Bruno Boogie came out! Now we are working on Euro Nettuno’s second EP, I’m very excited about it.

How did you manage the production process and responsibilities between you?

Bruno Boogie was born in a writing session in Tuscany from an idea of Pappo from Euro Nettuno. I normally play the instruments and produce, and they give me ideas of what to put in the song giving me references from other songs and so on.

They are great music diggers, so they always have very clear ideas making the production process together very easy.

Talk us through the new EP a little?

We wanted to make a disco song with Indian influences as we really like the Bollywood sound.Then Pappo came out the lyric that talks about me saying “Bruno Bruno Bruno, you know boogie very well”, so it all started as a joke basically. Month later, I a was in studio with Daniel Monaco, I played the song and he really liked it, so I asked him to remix it for the EP and there we go.

Are there plans for more releases on Polyamore this year?

Sure, we have many releases. A debut album of Montecarla a duo of musicians who make their own personal take on disco soundtracks from erotic Italian movies form the 70s. They have a great album! We have also Evviva! A new EP from them and many other projects on the way.

Tell us one of your highlights over the past year?

Definitely starting the label and seeing it growing day by day.

What have you got going on gig wise this summer?

We have many events on Italy with Polyamore throughout the summer, we make great parties with our DJs and bands. Watch this space!

What can we hope to see next from Bruno Belissimo?

My album is coming soon. I am making a full-length album just like back in the day :)

Check out the latest release from Bruno Belissimo.