Italian-born Andrea Belfi is a drummer, composer and experimental musician. Artfully blending the acoustic with the electronic, his performances are equal parts energetic and hypnotic, featuring long-arching soundscapes that are rich and immersive.
Inspired by the likes of instrumental post-rock group Gastr Del Sol, seminal dub outfit Rhythm & Sound, Pierre Schaffer protégé’s Eliane Radigue, Belfi’s music pulses on the exploration of deep and mysterious nocturnal spaces. Strikingly atmospheric and replete with vivid timbres, his music is oftentimes rhythmically complex but also pure and reductive.
A live performer at heart, Belfi’s music comes to life on stage where he’s built a reputation for electrifying drum solos and off the cuff improvisations. He’s been refining his current live set for a decade now, consisting of just his noble Saari drum kit from Finland, a Nord modular, and a sampler.
Having performed at the likes of Centre Pompidou (Paris), Unsound Festival (Krakow), Café Oto (London), Issue Project Room (New York), GAS festival (Gšteborg) and Artplay (Moscow), Belfi’s become known for his charismatic and engaging performances. His extensive experience includes both solo and group tours across Europe, notably touring with Nils Frahms band nonkeen in 2016.
2017 sees the release of Andrea Belfi’s next studio album, Ore, on nascent London-based label FLOAT.
FACTS:
1: Ennio Morricone kicks ass
2: I need a better sound system at home
3: This interview might or might not have been edited by my wife
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
Sitting in front of my drumkit
2. How and when did you get into making music?
At 14 when I started playing in a punk rock band with some skater friends.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Ennio Morricone ‘maddalena’
Gastr del Sol ‘upgrade and afterlife’
Chico Barque and Ennio Morricone ‘per un pugno di samba’
Miles Davis ‘in a silent way’
Eliane Radigue ‘trilogie de la mort’
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
The bizarre sculpture in Karl-Marx-Platz I see everyday
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
As a proud Rixdorf resident I say Balera Weinhandlung
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Cooking delicious food
7. What was the last record/music you bought?
The reissue of Darius Dolat-Shahi’s ‘electronic music, tar and sethar’
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Mark Ernestus, Mica Levi, Geoff Barrow, David Lynch
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
The concert I played at Old St. Pancreas in London last month was really exciting. As a spectator, first thing that pops up in my head is Sunny Murray + Arthur Doyle in 1998
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Important of course! I use both “vintage” Nordmodular synths and cutting edge controllers. Whatever works!
11. Do you have siblings and how do they feel about your career/art?
I have a sister who is a nurse. I am convinced she thinks being a musician it’s a pretty weird job, but on the other hand she kinda envies my traveling around the world. Of course, she does not realize I have to schlepp my instruments around all the time.
To Listen: https://soundcloud.com/wearefloat/andrea-belfi-lead
Belfi will release his new album at Berghain Kantine on November 10, 2017
Credit photo: Steve Glashier