Elso - Kindness cradled by beats

A project born a few years ago near Genoa, Elso releases a new album, "Beyond," where the exploration of fragility is not synonymous with weakness, and where the beats, rather than serving the dance floor, are geared toward self-exploration. We caught up with him for this chat.

How did you start making music?

When I was a kid, my father had a plan, he wanted to make me a singer, he had an unbridled passion for piano bars, and I think that was the ultimate goal. So I started taking piano lessons for that reason, until, as I grew up, I realized my path lay elsewhere and I started writing and making music with my friends.

So, even if his intentions were different from yours, it's thanks to him that you got access to music.

Yes, I can't deny that, and it was definitely decisive, also as a form of mental openness. Learning to play an instrument helps a lot, beyond a career as a musician - it helps build character and shape you as a person.

Was there an event or a musician that made you realize you wanted to do this for a living?

My friends and I always played for fun, so music was always part of our everyday life, then when I listened to Muse, I was a teenager, I realized I could combine electronics with piano. And from there I started bringing electronics into the music I was making.

How long has Elso been around?

Elso was born in 2017, after we split up with the band in 2014. I took two years off, they were emotionally difficult years; my grandfather died and I spent months in Qatar for work. When I came back to Italy, it was amazing, because I managed to finish the album "1989" and it turned out exactly how I wanted it. It was a real source of satisfaction. Unfortunately, it coincided with the Covid pandemic, so everything ground to a halt again and I went through a period of crisis. And at that moment, writing helped me get through it - I realized I needed to give more weight to the words, and that eventually led me to produce the album "Beyond," which just came out.

Indeed, let's move on to the album... It opens with "Gentilezza" and closes with "Scusa." Does that have a particular meaning?

Yes, I wanted to give it a logical thread, so I started with "Gentilezza," both because I think it's the best track on the record, and because it opens with a thought of hope. On the other hand, the track "Scusa" was destined to close the album, both because I always like to end on a calm note, and because of the deep meaning of the word, addressed to myself but also to everyone else. Because every day we hurt someone, whether willingly or not. So for me it made sense to stop every now and then and apologize.

The songs seem to be addressed to someone, but it's not clear whether it's to yourself or to others. Is that the case, or is it just my impression?

Let's say the person this album is speaking to is definitely an alter ego of mine, but talking to people who've listened to it, I realized that a lot of people relate to the lyrics and the feelings I tried to convey, and that makes me think it could speak to a lot of people.

The album expresses a lot of fragility and pain, feelings we usually tend to hide. Was it easy for you to put them down in black and white, or did you have to push yourself to open up?

Actually, as much as the world wants us to be winners, I like being vulnerable and I prefer to go a bit deeper in conversations, and so in the lyrics too. I firmly believe that depth enriches.

What is your creative process?

It's a binary process. I usually start from a melody, then try to match it with lyrics, which I generally pick from the thousand notes I've jotted down on my phone. I try to write down thoughts and then wait for the right melody to frame them in.

Where does the name Elso come from?

It was my grandfather's name, and he was a fundamental figure in my life. It seemed like a nice way to carry his name forward and share it with as many people as possible.

Is there a feeling that drives the album?

The first feeling is anger, later overtaken by hope, just like in the track that opens the album, "Gentilezza".

You opened for Zen Circus, how did it go?

The Zen Circus crowd is incredible, warm and welcoming, and still parties in a real rock'n'roll way - it was beautiful. I also happened to do it for BNKR44, and that was a great whirlwind too. The audience of these artists radically changes how you perceive playing live. I try to give my best in a short time, because I don't want to steal time from the fans, but it's satisfying when the crowd responds warmly, even though they're not there for you - it's a wonderful embrace of hope.

Thank you, Elso.

Thank you.

(June 7, 2025)

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