Band Interview: The BlackLava
Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life are pleased to bring you an interview with alternative and vintage rock band, The BlackLava!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGFsNS0euRk
1. How did you get started as a band?
Karlo: We come from other bands and we already knew each other. I knew Mark because we had played together at a festival and then we became friends and I knew Fra because he played in a cool band and then we also became work colleagues. Diego became a member of Blacklava because he knew the former bass player!
Mark: Karl and I have been friends for a long time and we have always tried to create a band. before we played hardcore in two bands. Diego joined on drums through mutual friendships. first I played the guitar, then I went to the bass. Francesco joined the solo guitar later but I have always considered him a member of the band. he has always helped us in live and recording. I’ve always hoped it would sound fixed with us and now here we are!
Fra: I’m the last one who joined in the band. BlackLava is a project born in 2014 and I engineered almost every song of the band! In 2018 in become the 4th member!
2. How would you describe your sound?
Mark: Our music is a miscellaneous between rock alternative and vintage rock with octaver a go go. I don’t know if it’s unique but surely it’s the result of listening to many kinds of music!
Karlo: In 2014 we started playing stoner / rock / metal! after a year I discovered a group that inspired me a lot: Royal Blood! the bass played with the octaver! this inspiration contaminated the group up to what we play now! powerful rock with octaver and vintage influences.
3. What bands/artists would you say have influenced your style of music?
Karlo: Royal Blood, Rival Sons, Foo Fighters, Audioslave, Blackstone Cherry!
4. Has the rise of YouTube & music streaming helped or hindered you as a band?
Karlo: For some things all social networks have helped to make bands all over the world more independent. Everyone can upload their own music without having a Label! The worst thing is that there are too many bands! There is a dispersion of the attention of the viewer who no longer knows which platform to use or who to listen to for advice.
When I was a boy there was MTV and practically everything that was broadcast was cool! if you wanted something emerging there were special radios that talked about it!
5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not making music?
Karlo: Speaking of myself: I am a videomaker, distorted singing teacher (scream, growl), I compose other music, I watch many TV series and Anime, I spend time with my partner and our two dogs (Ade and Venus), pass the time with my friends and I love to eat and travel abroad!
6. What are your future plans musically? Tours?
Karlo: We have 4 confirmed dates in northern Italy in these months. an acoustic showcase and three electric showcases!
We are waiting for more confirmations for these months and for the summer festivals!
