Exclusive Interview with ALEX VARLONGA

Alex is a bedroom musician and producer from Italy who is based in Krakow. He draws inspiration from guitar heroes and indie rock. 2022 was the year of a new musical career (Out of any suspect, was released as an acoustic instrumental guitar centered album) after many years spent in various bands. New songs, featuring vocals and a full band, began to take shape in the spring of 2023. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

ALEX VARLONGA: I’m Italian but I moved to Poland 4 years ago. I started playing guitar when I was 12 and I always played in bands since then. Moving abroad gave me the opportunity to start a solo a career and develop some production skills as well, but I can’t play music alone so this is why I already have a band to back me up for next spring shows

2. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

ALEX VARLONGA: It started in my bedroom but I want this to end on a stage. After first steps like songwriting, recording and a bit of promotion, it is time in spring/summer to show my music to the world outside. First of all, I want to enjoy playing with my mates, but a rehearsal room is still not enough. I need to feel a bit of adrenaline that a pre-show gives you. I played many concerts in my life and I miss that feeling,

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘ALEX VARLONGA?

ALEX VARLONGA: I was influenced in my childhood by bands like Linkin Park, Muse and U2. So pretty rock backgrounds. Through the years I expanded horizons also to classic music and harder Metal as well. My real name is Alessandro Varlonga. I wanted to give a more international version of my name

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

ALEX VARLONGA: I always try to write simple melodies but I don’t really like standard chords, so wherever I can I try to insert a 7^th or 9^th or open chords to give some textures to the guitars. My sound is influenced by pop/rock music but less happy. I’m pretty melancholic in my melodies and my lyrics too

5. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

ALEX VARLONGA: I had 3 years of classical guitar Academy lesson in my hometown, that’s how I started at 12. Then I moved to electric guitar at college and I’m pretty much self-taught in that.

6. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

ALEX VARLONGA: I would say that 90% of the time it starts from a chord or a chord progression. It all builds after that. I come in my head with a bass and a drum and the song structure. Then I record it all, add some side effects, usually piano, pads or an arch. I sing some words at the very end, trying to find a good melody. Based on the melody then I try to write the lyrics and find a story to tell.

7. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?

ALEX VARLONGA: I’ll be honest, I’m not the greatest voice on earth. I have the need of write and sing whatever is comfortable for my voice, keeping in mind that I’m also playing the guitar at the same time. So more than emulating, I had to find my own style. I love hard music stuff, as well as catchy melodies, so I had as a main focus to create something which I personally like.

8. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

ALEX VARLONGA: Music is really the escape from the reality. Is like a safe place where I can talk about myself and my feelings. It’s never me, it’s always a character that plays in a story, but is just a metaphor of my real self. Most of the stories are about losing something, not being enough and failures. The best way to survive is to sing those stories to the world

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

ALEX VARLONGA: Indeed the lack of time. I’m a free time musician, but on everyday life I’m an office worker with standard working time. It is not easy to cope with the tiredness in the evenings. Music is the best rest, escape or whatever. It can also become like a stress when you’re during creative process, but you should be working. Sometimes that sparks just go, as quick as it came.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

ALEX VARLONGA: 18 Months ago I didn’t even have an audio interface or a recording software. I had few ideas here and there, that I was pushing back since years. Once I decided to start, I haven’t stopped a single day. I recorded almost 20 songs, gain a little follow but most of all I improved my songwriting and guitar technique, which will always be an asset in any part of my life, now and forever