He’s lived and studied all over the world including Leeds, London, Rome and San Francisco.

Since starting his career, he has supported the likes of Anna Calvi and The Blaze, recently releasing his single 0 RH+. The track is a collaboration with James Chatburn who has also worked with Jordan Rakei. We got to speak to Rbsn about his latest song, the difference between the music scene in Italy and the UK, and his future works.

1. You recently released your latest single “0 RH +” featuring James Chatburn, who has also worked with Jordan Rakei. How did that collaboration come about?

James was performing a show in my hometown, and we had the chance to link up through the venue. Our studio resides very close to it, and we had a casual jam the day following his gig. Months later I went to Berlin with a track that I already had when we met and finally submitted it to him. He’s a very generous creative, we had lunch in his apartment in Prenzlauer Berg and then we sat through the tune for the rest of the afternoon, that is the only session we did together, but it worked to the max. On the same week I opened one of his shows at Badehaus, I honestly had a great Berlin experience with James.

1. What was the inspiration behind the song?

I was explaining to James as well that 0RH + is a blood group, and the whole concept is that when you love someone, you’d give them all the blood in your body. It is a bit dark but fits well with the vibe created by the choir in the beginning and the 808. Ultimately, blood is also the liquid that allows the person to grow and develop naturally, just like acid developing a film roll. I wrote the song during the summer of 2018; I had never imagined it would travel so much but I knew that through it I would have been able to draw from new languages.

1. How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it?

Soul/Jazz Psychedelia, maybe?

1. If you ever get writer’s block, how do you go about overcoming it?

Experiencing something new is the best fuel. I find getting out of my comfort zone very stimulating. Working under pressure and squeezing your skills are ways to get something done. On the other hand, lyrics or composition are bigger than yourself when you start writing them. Therefore, finishing them and working out their best potential requires you to learn the language of music. If that make sense?    

1. As an artist who was born in Italy and had the luxury of playing gigs in both Italy and the UK, what do you think are some of the main differences between a UK crowd and an Italian crowd?

Everything is different. I think culture revolves around music differently in these two locations. Italy has magical places that make culture develop into music and vice versa, but on a bigger scale our emerging and subculture-based music scene don’t get the spaces they deserve. Whilst in the UK, music is a part of the culture and community, musicians are the ones with antennas long enough to get a glimpse of the real thing and consequentially, able to give it back to the people. Cities and neighbourhoods need this material, freed from the rhetoric of consumerism, scenes that exist to give something back to the people    

1. Have you had any nightmare gigs?

Not really, everything serves you well if you let it. There are some nightmare venue owners that make it ridiculous sometimes.

1. What about any pinch me moments?

Yes definitely. A couple of sold out shows with a horn section and amazing guests on one side and a soloTEDx are the first ones that come to my mind.

1. If you could curate your own music festival, who would be on the lineup?

There’s lots of artists I genuinely love. A very broad spectrum of genres from: US very own alternative band, Khruangbin, Nick Hakim and Ben Lamar Gay to Badu and The Arcs. On the UK side, Joe Armon Jones, Nubya and crossing over to Hiatus. Passing through to Idles and finishing with Sick Selectas.

1. What’s one piece of advice you would give your past self before starting your journey as an artist?

Gut feeling is good and don’t take yourself too seriously. Matter of fact don’t take yourself seriously at all.

1. Did you grow up in a musical household?

I would not say that. None of the people in my family have musical skills. What I learned from my parents was how to work with ideas and creativity. Ditching bad ideas and making use of the good ones. I was familiar with using my imagination from a very young age.

1. Who or what inspired you to become an artist in the first place?

I was surrounded by different creative languages; music spoke well to me, so I followed music. I think Hendrix had a great role in that.

1. Are there any contemporary artists that you really look up to?

Mr. Nick Hakim is my personal favoruite, but really anyone that developed his/her own personal language/vibe and know how to deliver it. These types of creatives are my heroes.

1. Are you working towards an EP or an album of some sort?

I’m releasing an album with Rope A Dope in September. I think this is grand and I respect the guys on the label. Most of the music they published in the last 5 years I’ve listened to, having the chance to work with them is a bit of a dream.  

1. Can you tell me more about Odd Clique? Is it a group of artists making one collective? Is it a string of live events put on by a group of people? What is Odd Clique and what is the future of it?

Odd wants to create the community, free from the rhetoric of consumerism like I was explaining before. It wants to cross borders and offer a broad experience that starts on stage and finishes in your gut. It wants to bring people together and make us comfortable when close to each other again. It’s a group of professionals that want to create a party that they would attend themselves.

1. Are you planning on coming to the UK anytime in the near future to play some more live shows here?

Yes indeed. The UK feels like a second home to me even though I might not be that welcome anymore. Jokes aside, I have a lot of beautiful friends, musicians and peers that I’d like to see again.

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