A solo career at it’s very beginning

First of all, let us say that many went to the Béckléck in Differdange, and for sure none did regret the trip, even though weather was not made send a dog out on the streets. Alltough we didn’t regret havin’ left our families home alone. If we appreciated a lot the recording, we’d even enjoyed far more the live performance.

Sure there is allways something to critizise, and for us we’d to admit that we’d missed some text, even more as they exist. But more on this in the interview. What can be related is that the band, means his fellow musicians did perform at their best. All of them well experienced, so is Remo. And this is also one of the premises a good solo career must be on. Havin’ the rightous guys with you, get’s you a all figures for a great start.

With René Macri on bass, Remo got more than just a great bass player, he’s got a friend in mind. No need of words, just going ahead, that’s all. This almost fits to keyboarder Sergio Rodrigues, with whom Remo had many gigs before. This fellow portugese musician and his Hammond B3 is just excellent. Poor to say that Sergio will leave for a career experience in Portugal... but it sometimes is a must to set priorities. Finally, let us name Jeff Herr on drums. For ourselves we’d like to say he is the guy with magic hands and he can likely play several styles and brought out some great albums too.

But let us return to Remo. He got his first guitar when he was quite able to run around. It was was a real cheap one and useless to say that some people told him he should try something else... so he put this piece of wood beside but remained attentive on what his father, a great bluesman of the early seventies, did. Then it came as it had to be. He returned to the guitar... a better one at that time and slowly went comfortable with it. With time going by, he experienced and went into it in a marvellous way.

During the early 90’s he played here and there for sometimes less than little money. He’d to wait for 1999 to really become able to earn his live by playing guitar. He played for almost all great and renowned musician in Luxembourg. Now, and even though he does not intend to leave this beside, he’s looking forward... going kind of his own way.

The exclusive interview...

IML: So Remo, you had a great gig tonight and we’re pretty pleased you got some time left to answer our questions. After all this years in what we would name as a background musician, you’ll step into a solo career. How did this come along?

Remo: Well, the years passed by and I realized that I never had something really personal, something I created on my own. I certainly had the opportunity to show my skills, within the bands I played with, but there was something missing. It was time for me to show the public who I really am.

IML: You play the „blues“. Was this intentionally or more fortuity?

Remo: The blues is a choice. Even more if could say, but this is quite difficult to explain. Alltough, let me admit that I’ve got influenced by Rock and Funk too. So it appaers that I’m not playing what you would name traditional blues. It’s is indeed my own thing, even though it is clearly blues oriented.

IML: Yes on this you can not withhold that musicians as Jimi Hendrix and Stevy Ray Vaughn are present in this influences. Moreover we’d found a touch of „Cream“. What is this about?

Remo: Well, you got good ears and I appreciate you noticed. It is worth to mention that this is mainly my fathers fault, if ever fault would be. It is simply the music that was played at home in my younger years, and for sure it impressed and so influenced me. You know when I got my first guitar, it almost went alone.

Beside this, and again by getting around with my father, I was introduced in the local „Blues scene“. At that time Differdange had a real blues scene, so for example the „Mabuhay“ café in Niederkorn, to wich I dedicated the bonus track on the CD. It was the place to be at that time. All the „old bluesmen“ played down there and they let me take part in their gigs. I met lots of great musicians at that time and it is clear that these guys helped me a lot refining my play.

IML: We know that there is another „grand“ of the local scene, who gives a helping hand. We’re talking About Marco „Lupo“ Poggi. What was or is his role?

Remo: Oh yes, well. Marco is first of all real good friend and he’s well experienced. He’s done the songwriting for this first album, and in this he did a real good job. And before you’re asking for it, yes I do not yet have the stance to sing in public. This requires some more time, but I will go trough that. As I am sort of beeing in the „starting blocs“ I didn’t want to put the pressure on my first gigs, but on the coming ones, the public will hear my voice. Then it is up to them to make clear if they appreciate or not. Then I’ll have to see if I’m ongoing to perform on myself or if I need a singer. But this is about future, so let us relax and see what comes.

IML: Ok we’ll feel fine with that and after all it’s your decision on wich we’ll adhere. Let us have a closer look to your band. What is to say about your fellow musicians?

Remo: Oh yes, great guys, reliable and well experienced. Take at first Jeff Herr on drums. We allready met long time ago playing with the cover band „Baby Chams“. Moreover we had some common projects that went well. As we met on a quite regular basis, it was some kind of „normal“ to go on this together. A great advantage is that we don’t need much words to find out the common strings. It just works fine with Jeff and I believe in a good ongoing cooperation.

There is also Sergio Rodrigues, my man on the keyboards. We’re pretty close friends and due to our roots (his are Portugese and mine Italian) we are kind of complementary to each other. The exchange on solo’s during song performance is close to perfect, there is a nameless understanding that makes it just going easy. A look says almost everything. His choice to go to portugal for studying is certainly a loss for the band, but as a friend a stay behind his decision and he’ll certainly get’s back sometimes. Allthough, for the first time I’ll perform as a „trio“. There are nevertheless alternatives but is is actually to soon for any decision in that way.

IML: Ok let us now have a little preview on what the future will bring. What are your upcoming projects?

Remo: My first goal is to get involved in the local blues scene and furthermore to play on several festivals troughout the greater region. I’ve had my time playin’ in the bars and now it is time to get serious gigs and enter the concert halls. This Cd is also to be seen as a sample of what can be done. Moreover let me say that my „home“ is the live performance. That’s were I can show my skills and as you did notice by yourself, it’s working fine.

IML: Last question. How important do you estimate the use of new technologies and do you have an own homepage allowing the world to access your music?

Remo: For sure beeing present on the web is important. I’ve well taken notice that allmost everyone works it out that way. Moreover it gives you a window to the world and by that an opportunity to widespread my creations. In this I feel also quite well assisted. But on concerns of „presence“ we should let the visitors be judging by themselves.

IML: Remo thank you havin’ got time for us and we’ll be attentive on what’s coming next. For sure, please note that this first album will have a special place in our office.

Remo: Thanks to you for your support.