Andrea Belfi is a drummer, electroacoustic musician and composer. Belfi started studying drums at the age of 14. From 1995 to 1998 he got involved in numerous punk band s. Between 1998 and 2001 he lived in Milan where he attended Alberto Garutti’s contemporary art course, which helped him develop a wider understand ing of art. During that time Belfi became involved with the experimental music, and began developing his solo liveset, where he uses his drummer skills along with his long-time researches with electroacoustic devices and synthezisers.
He has so far released five solo albums, “Ned n°2” , Between Neck & Stomach, Knots, Wege & Dubbing & Doubling. Since 2002 he has also been collaborating with a wide range of artists, among others, Carla Bozulich, Mike Watt, David Grubbs, Stefano Pilia, Aidan Baker, Simon James Phillips, BJ Nilsen, Ignaz Schick, Mattia Coletti, Å, Attila Faravelli, Machinefabriek, David Maranha, Giuseppe Ielasi, RCF, Riccardo Wanke, Renato Rinaldi. His recent projects include, the Belfi/Grubbs/Pilla trio, Il sogno del Marinaio, the Swifter, Hobocombo & B/B/S. Andrea has been also active in the visual arts, collaborating with several artists as well as developing is own audio/visual and sound installations.
Facts
– we don’t need all the stuff we buy
– wasting time in front of the computer screen is awfull
– I need a bike
Questions
What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
People, friends, collaborators, books, everyday life, ennio morricone, my life companion.
How and when did you get into making music?
When I was 14 some of my friends needed a drummer for a punk band , so I decided to learn how to play drums.
What are your 5 favourite albums of all time?
Impossible to say. I just pick 5 albums that comes up in my mind now:
Talk Talk “Spirit of Eden”, Zaiko Langa Langa “Zaire-Ghana, 1976”, Ennio Morricone “Svegliati e uccidi”, Dean Roberts “all cracked medias”, Arthur Russell “World of Echo”.
What do you associate with Berlin?
The unique smell of the U-Bahn.
What’s your favourite place in your town?
Rixdorf, Neukölln
If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Cooking.
What was the last record you bought?
Flare/Flame double LP by Erik Skodvin on Sonic Pieces.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Shackleton.
What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
As performer my solo performance at Teatro I in Milan, June 3rd 2006, when I thought “ok, I can do it”. As a spectator, I suppose Neurosis at Interzona, Verona, around 1996, it changes a lot of things.
How important is technology to your creative process?
Extremely important. I developed my style of drumming using synthesizers and audio editing softwares.
Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career?
I have an older sister. I suppose she’s quite curious about how I make my living out of music.
Our Favourites:
Andrea Belfi – “C”
The Swifter – End of Capstan Bars | https://youtube.com/watch?v=HzIrVGSQK2c” target=”_blank”>Andrea Belfi – Parte Prima
Links: soundcloud.com | chocolateguns.com | facebook.com
