Sure we’ve heard about you before, but we think it’s time for Tone Deaf to get to know you a little better. Slip in to something comfortable while we put on some music, pour us a couple of drinks and turn the lights down low. So, tell us about yourselves…Who are you – who who? We really wanna know….

Who are you and what do you do in your act?
Hi I’m Vincenzo, I write songs, sing and play some instruments in undergroundLOVERS.

‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?

Well my dad’s stuff is either hardcore Italian folk music stuff or lyrical sentimental stuff, most of it is political music that bangs on about hardship and the exploitation of the worker. It’s pretty cool and timeless. My mum loved Elvis and all things pop. I have a few of her records which are cool and timeless…

What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?

Musica Poetica – Orff

‘Home taping is killing the music business was the catch-cry of the record industry in the 1970s, but it managed to survive until now. What do you think is the difference between mates taping copies of friend’s records back in the 80s and 90s and file sharing now?

No difference… music is made to share …To fix a monetary value on music is absolutely arbitrary and when you really think about it makes no sense. The difference is that the quality of the sound has improved although I love it when on some tapes there is a glitch and somehow two totally different pieces are on the same tape and it works as one piece .

You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What was the first gig you went to.? Where was it and what was the venue?

Gary Glitter at Festival Hall in Melbourne. He came out on a motorbike.

What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?

I always pay for music. I never download anything for free in the belief that some of that money will trickle down to the artist.

What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?

Pierre Bourdieu, Slavoj Zizek and Blondie.

Have you ever been arrested?

No.

Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?

Vodka shots followed by copious amounts of water, a light spritz of cologne and then ROCK OUT!

What’s been your most outrageous rider request?

If I told you then I would be arrested.

Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?

Dave Mason – The Reels because he has song smarts.

Right, let’s get really intimate. Tell us what releases you have that we can listen to with the lights down low, or even better, where we can see you play in person next.

Well we have a compilation album called Wonderful Things that also comes in an extended version called Everybody’s Favourite and you can get it in a shop or online through itunes or, no doubt.

If you want to hear the songs live we are playing at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne on Thursday 17 November and then at the Factory, Marrickville in Sydney on Friday 18 November.

You can read about Wonderful Things in our Tone Deaf review.

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