FRANCESCA LOMBARDO TALKS

Music

Francesca Lomabardo popped by for a chinwag prior to her set this Friday at the 1st Birthday party of Return to the Future, where she plays alongside the likes of Matthias Tanzmann and Davide Squillace.

Tell us about where you grew up and how it shaped you as an artist and a person.

I grew up in Italy near the Lake of Garda. There were few great clubs well known in Italy and outside of Italy too. Some of the best techno and house djs from Italy were residents so I grew up in a full time Italian house and techno music environment. Nethertheless I used to drive to Toscany quiet a lot to attend the best clubs such as Imperiale and Kama Kama.

You grew up around your father's vast collection of instruments. What's your prevailing musical memory as a child and favourite piece of music that shaped you at a young age.

My prevailing music memory is singing with my father Italian artists songs such as Lucio Battisti, Mina and more. We used to sing for hours and harmonise each other voice.

You studied piano and opera at the Conservatorium of Music before moving to London to graduate in vocal performance. Throughout all these years had you always had a passion for electronic music? If not, did you have a defining moment (even a dancefloor experience) that changed everything for you?

I have always been into electronic music. My uncle started playing me Kraftwerk and Mike Olfield in the car on our trips to Germany where part of my family used to live. I was 6 and used to love it! I never gave up electronic music since then. I guess this is the most defining moment for me.

Your debut for Crosstown Rebels landed last July. What was your vision for the EP? Are more releases planned for the label in 2013?

The vision was about the changes I had musically throughout my life, I wanted to include different styles in the ep that I went trough in my life.

Tell us about about the family vibe at the label. Do you feed off on another creatively? What's the dynamic?

I think everyone has their own style and creativity, I could easely recognize each artist track. We see each other during gigs and it’s always fun to catch up with music and stories.

Release wise, what's coming up on the horizon for you? Are rumours of an album true? If so, how's it taking shape?

Yes an album is on the way, I am still working on it. It will be something different from what anyone expect.

Tell us what you've got in store for the Return to the Future 1st B'day Party. Namecheck a couple of tracks that are burning a whole in your CD wallet at present and likely to get a rinse.

Mmmm … new tracks of mine.. and a couple of promos from friends such as David Beiger, Ela G.

How much of a career-minded person are you; have you set goals for this year or are you taking it as it comes?

I always set goals.. I am a virgo, that means I am a perfectionist and a planner. And I always get what I want at the end.

Who are your heroes, musical or otherwise?

Ken the Warrior is one of my biggest hero from the Fist of the Northern Star… I have all the collection. Musically I have thousands of heroes to name a few…Yann Tiersen, Donatella Rettore, Leon Theremin…

What's one thing you'd like to do in 2013?

Live in Ibiza this summer

What's one thing you don't?

Live in London this summer

Tell us about where you grew up and how it shaped you as an artist and a person.

I grew up in Italy near the Lake of Garda. There were few great clubs well known in Italy and outside of Italy too. Some of the best techno and house djs from Italy were residents so I grew up in a full time Italian house and techno music environment. Nethertheless I used to drive to Toscany quiet a lot to attend the best clubs such as Imperiale and Kama Kama.

You grew up around your father's vast collection of instruments. What's your prevailing musical memory as a child and favourite piece of music that shaped you at a young age.

My prevailing music memory is singing with my father Italian artists songs such as Lucio Battisti, Mina and more. We used to sing for hours and harmonise each other voice.

You studied piano and opera at the Conservatorium of Music before moving to London to graduate in vocal performance. Throughout all these years had you always had a passion for electronic music? If not, did you have a defining moment (even a dancefloor experience) that changed everything for you?

I have always been into electronic music. My uncle started playing me Kraftwerk and Mike Olfield in the car on our trips to Germany where part of my family used to live. I was 6 and used to love it! I never gave up electronic music since then. I guess this is the most defining moment for me.

Your debut for Crosstown Rebels landed last July. What was your vision for the EP? Are more releases planned for the label in 2013?

The vision was about the changes I had musically throughout my life, I wanted to include different styles in the ep that I went trough in my life.

Tell us about about the family vibe at the label. Do you feed off on another creatively? What's the dynamic?

I think everyone has their own style and creativity, I could easely recognize each artist track. We see each other during gigs and it’s always fun to catch up with music and stories.

Release wise, what's coming up on the horizon for you? Are rumours of an album true? If so, how's it taking shape?

Yes an album is on the way, I am still working on it. It will be something different from what anyone expect.

Tell us what you've got in store for the Return to the Future 1st B'day Party. Namecheck a couple of tracks that are burning a whole in your CD wallet at present and likely to get a rinse.

Mmmm … new tracks of mine.. and a couple of promos from friends such as David Beiger, Ela G.

How much of a career-minded person are you; have you set goals for this year or are you taking it as it comes?

I always set goals.. I am a virgo, that means I am a perfectionist and a planner. And I always get what I want at the end.

Who are your heroes, musical or otherwise?

Ken the Warrior is one of my biggest hero from the Fist of the Northern Star… I have all the collection. Musically I have thousands of heroes to name a few…Yann Tiersen, Donatella Rettore, Leon Theremin…

What's one thing you'd like to do in 2013?

Live in Ibiza this summer

What's one thing you don't?

Live in London this summer

And the standard R$N questions we ask everyone:

Complete the sentence: I'm proper techno because…..

I simply love Techno

What's the most techno thing you've ever done?

Play in techno raves in London

Are you a kick drum, hi hat or a snare? And why?

Snare .. cause I love it when it comes in when u less expect it.

What's your answer to everything?