To be a singer songwriter or musician coming out of New York City is no easy task. Especially with the type of music coming from the city that never sleeps right now. Yet for a band like Vonrenzo, it maybe an uphill battle but the struggles will be all worth it. I was invited to check out the band a little over a month ago at an invitation only to their record release party. The party was to celebrate the sophomore effort Indica Dove Sei, from the band and brainchild of singer / songwriter Adam Luaces. Adam whose voice has been compared to Jeff Buckley struck me at the performance and I was equally impressed with the band backing him. After a few emails later, I was able to interview the man behind this somewhat new band in New York and discussed everything from his new record, to breakdowns to inspirations. Check out my interview with Adam below:1) Where do all of the Italian motifs from the name of the band to the title of the new record come from?
Vonrenzo is a sacred word of pure imagination… The Italian motif of the album is a tribute to my muse…
Vonrenzo is a sacred word of pure imagination… The Italian motif of the album is a tribute to my muse…
2) What are some of your influences as a singer and songwriter?
If I step back I find my songs seem to be very influenced by a sense of longing; either to be understood, desired, needed, or adored ‘what therapy?’
If I step back I find my songs seem to be very influenced by a sense of longing; either to be understood, desired, needed, or adored ‘what therapy?’
3) Many of the songs on "Indica Dove Sei," are about love and heartbreak. Two strong emotions everyone goes through in life at some point. What do you think is the more powerful of the two from a songwriters point of view?
From a songwriters point of view certainly heartbreak, there is a certain energy that yearning inspires that is unlike anything else. However, love is the most powerful element that exists. Love is stronger than heartbreak, at least I keep telling myself that…
From a songwriters point of view certainly heartbreak, there is a certain energy that yearning inspires that is unlike anything else. However, love is the most powerful element that exists. Love is stronger than heartbreak, at least I keep telling myself that…
4) You have worked with Kyle "Slick" Johnson (Fincherspooner, Modest Mouse) what was that experience like having him produce for you?
Kyle is the most musically gifted person I have met in this lifetime. Making music with him has been among one of my many great blessings. This experience was simply Divine.
Kyle is the most musically gifted person I have met in this lifetime. Making music with him has been among one of my many great blessings. This experience was simply Divine.
5) Your two albums "Intention and the Adequacy of Delusion" and "Indica Dove Sei" are total opposites from each other in both sound and style. Explain the drastic change.
Intention was a collection of all types of sounds and moods. In contrast Indica captured a specific vibe. This could be because Indica had a distinct passion behind it or that I grew into it a bit deeper as an artist. I actually see Indica as the solution to Intention rather than an opposite. Any drastic change was probably a result of more time and experience at being alive.
Intention was a collection of all types of sounds and moods. In contrast Indica captured a specific vibe. This could be because Indica had a distinct passion behind it or that I grew into it a bit deeper as an artist. I actually see Indica as the solution to Intention rather than an opposite. Any drastic change was probably a result of more time and experience at being alive.
6) It has been said that you felt disillusioned after the release of your first record. Why is this?
By the release of Intention I was suffering from a healthy dose of depression and found myself quite lost. The simple answer is heartache, the more complex is realizing I had no one but myself to blame for the choices I had made. In the end it was a good thing to see clearly that being numb is not a solution.
By the release of Intention I was suffering from a healthy dose of depression and found myself quite lost. The simple answer is heartache, the more complex is realizing I had no one but myself to blame for the choices I had made. In the end it was a good thing to see clearly that being numb is not a solution.
7) The title of the new album is Italian for Indicate Where You Are. Where are you now emotionally and musically?
I think the nature of emotion is to change, so it is hard to say where I am regarding something so impulsive. Musically I would have to say I am growing and continuing to cultivate this drive toward going further…
I think the nature of emotion is to change, so it is hard to say where I am regarding something so impulsive. Musically I would have to say I am growing and continuing to cultivate this drive toward going further…
8) Being a musician from New York City is no easy task, how do you feel Vonrenzo sticks out from the rest of the crowd?
I am honestly not sure I know enough about the crowd to answer... Are you asking me to be mean?
I am honestly not sure I know enough about the crowd to answer... Are you asking me to be mean?
9) If there was one musician (alive or dead) you would love to play with, who would it be?
Well as long as we are dreaming I would have to say sharing a stage with Sigur Ros would be fascinating.
Well as long as we are dreaming I would have to say sharing a stage with Sigur Ros would be fascinating.
10) Where would you like this record to take you?
On a date
On a date
Special thanks to Adam and Allison Prouty. Photo credits to imageworksnyc. For more info check out the bands website at http://www.vonrenzo.com/