Berlin-based collective MAIORANO skillfully fuse elements from 60s R&B, Funk & Soul with the intensity and attitude of Garage & Punk rock to create a vibrant sound steeped in Rock ‘n’ Roll heritage. While the music may be difficult to pigeon-hole, its appeal is instant and infectious. Dynamic & charismatic Italian front-man Alex Maiorano leads a stylish sextet composed of saxophone, trumpet, organ, guitar, bass & drums through powerful, lively & emotional songs which connect with the heart and soul of the audience.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with MAIORANO about their latest project, challenges, motivations and much more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
Most of the band are from Italy but we also have members from Scotland, Germany & Holland. We are currently based in Berlin.
We create Soul music, incorporating elements of rock-‘n’-roll, garage/punk, R&B, funk, jazz, it’s a melting pot of styles that’s harder for us to describe than it is to create. The musical style is something that emerged naturally as a result of our eclectic tastes, we definitely don’t conform to a specific genre or style.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Music is simply an intense passion for all of us, eventually that builds to an extent that it expresses itself through new ideas and creativity. Playing live is where the real magic happens though, and the reciprocation of positivity & joy we share with the audience is a great motivation. We’ve heard people compare our shows to religious experiences so we know we’re on to something good and we’re always eager to play in front of new fans and spread the love.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
‘Glorious Days’ is the first release of ours to feature a full brass section, where previously it was solo saxophone, now we have trumpet & trombone so the sound is bigger and fuller. Overall, we wanted to try to capture some of the positivity that we are known for live. It was recorded in Rome around the summer solstice which really amplified our energy, and we had an instant rapport with producer Danilo Silvestri, who worked hard & fast to achieve the sound that we had in mind.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
We prefer to focus on the music and the live experience but nowadays that’s no longer enough. For better or worse, people judge you based on social media likes & youtube hits, so for a band like us with a punk attitude towards marketing and a focus on connecting with the audience, it can sometimes feel very shallow and cold.
Technology has made it easier to keep working when we’re not together physically. Sometimes we individually have ideas for songs that can be quickly recorded and shared for collaboration. And while we couldn’t be with Danilo for the full mix of the album, we were able to suggest changes via email, even though he does the mix live in analogue through vintage gear.
What was the last song you listened to?
“Chevrolet Van” by The Nude Party
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Vinyl for sure, but we appreciate the convenience of digital formats too.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Spotify is great for listeners & reach, but Bandcamp is better for connecting directly with the fans. Even better still is the merch stand after a great concert!
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Our website http://maiorano.band/ has all of the links to the different platforms we’re on, and it’s the best place to check upcoming tour dates.
Anything else before we sign off?
A US tour is an absolute dream for us so if there’s anyone reading this who can help make it happen, drop us a line!
The next days will be GLORIOUS. Ad maiora!
