BEHIND THE NOTES: AN INTIMATE EXPLORATION OF 'LIVES LIKE THE CITY', A DEBUT ALBUM SHAPING IDENTITY THROUGH MUSIC
Released on November 4th, 2022, “Lives Like the City” is not only a debut album, but a grand declaration of a three-year creative journey, interwoven with a lifetime’s worth of dreams, trials, and anxieties about what lies ahead. Available both in digital format and nostalgically on cassette, the album invites listeners into a deeply personal sonic world.
Comprising 14 meticulously composed tracks, the album explores recurring motifs at both the melodic and lyrical level. The sequence of songs has been carefully arranged, ensuring a seamless transition that guides the audience through a compelling narrative arc, both musically and story-wise. It grapples with universal themes such as love, loss, and the empowering struggle to discover and accept one’s self.
A Glimpse into a Personal Sonic World
“Feeling those sparks of who we are” and reconnecting with the bold and dream-filled youth within us, each song is a testament to the power of following dreams and making them tangible realities. The album also unflinchingly explores my nomadic upbringing, moving from one country to another due to my father’s work. The constant relocating left fragments of my identity scattered across various lands, a phenomenon which eventually inspired one of the album’s central motifs – the quest for a place to call home.
In the song “Home”, I yearn for a sanctuary where I can engrave my heart in stone, underscoring my perpetual longing for belonging. This feeling lingers even 13 years after returning to Italy, where I still experience the odd sensation of being a stranger in my own homeland. It is this sense of displacement that fuels my daydreams about finding a place where I truly belong.
Love, Loss, and Self-Discovery Explored
Interlaced with these themes is a heartfelt tribute to my partner, Anna, whose unwavering belief in me ignited my own self-belief. She has instilled in me the courage to follow my dreams and stand up for my convictions. Without her steadfast support, this album, and indeed this entire journey, would not have seen the light of day, as I was on the brink of abandoning my musical aspirations before her arrival in my life.
The album concludes with “The New Tomorrow,” a reflective piece that feels like a toast to the promising journey ahead. It serves as a beacon of hope, helping me reconcile with the themes resonating throughout the album. This song is my path to inner peace, helping me come to terms with who I am, where I’ve been, and the direction I’m headed.
“Lives Like the City” transcends the auditory experience; it’s more than just sound. These songs are not merely tracks, but a melodic reminder of the person I aspire to be.