Lovesick in interview: “It’s good to have a family on stage”

🌍 version française

This summer, Lovesick delivered a stunning performance at Cognac Blues Passions, in front of an enthusiastic and responsive audience, under a beautiful sunny sky and in the open air. The Italian quartet lived up to its reputation with a fantastic concert full of infectious joy, with vintage sounds blending rock’n’roll and country. Blues Actu had the chance to meet the two main figures, double bassist Francesca Alinovi and singer-guitarist Paolo Roberto Pianezza, for a relaxed interview right after their show.

🎙️ Lovesick in interview

You’ve been around for ten years already, even if many people discovered you more recently with the album “Remember My Name.” How did you start playing together?

We had another band before, for about five years, and we really wanted to dive into American music, from Hank Williams to Chuck Berry, that kind of stuff. We started working as a duo. We rehearsed saying, “let’s try this thing and see how it goes.” Then, after a while, we began playing in a few clubs, we played in the street, and it was so much fun to perform as a duo. Over the years, we changed many accompanying musicians, but every time we came back to the duo, there was something magical. We even did a five-week tour in the United States as a duo, and it was very, very fun.

And why did you decide to be not just two, but three, then four?…

Simply because we like to change sounds, change musicians. Just for this summer, we are playing as a four-piece band, with a guitarist and a drummer, and then we’ll see what the future brings!

And what’s it like to be born in 1930 or 1929 and play this music in 2025? (laughs)

I don’t know… I always say this music is just so much fun, and that’s the reason why we play it. Otherwise, we wouldn’t play this kind of music! It’s such a pleasure to play, we really enjoy it. And you know, it’s always different: the solos, the improvisation, the interactions… We write our own songs, and that’s why we play this old stuff, but in our own way.

Yeah, you say “this” music, but why not “these” musics? Because rock’n’roll, country, doo-wop, western swing, etc. all share the same roots, right?

We call it Americana, that’s why it’s one music, but it’s broad!

And about your latest album, maybe it is distributed more in France or in Europe?

Yes, it has been distributed in Europe through Dixiefrog, Rock’n’Hall, the “service label.” So we worked with these guys in France and they did a great job spreading the physical copies, which people really appreciate: having a big vinyl in their hands.

What did that bring you? Was it also a production, or just distribution?

Yes, distribution and promotion, mainly in France and Germany. And here we are in Cognac, so we are playing in France and we’re excited about that!

And today, you just played at Cognac for an hour and a half, for everyone here. I mean “everyone,” because maybe you noticed that in the audience, everybody was there—young people, older people, people like you. Do you think your music speaks to everyone?

Yes, we’ve visited many different places around the world and it’s always fun everywhere, simply because the music resonates with your soul. And you know, everybody has a soul!

What’s more important to you: recording albums that make people happy at home, or playing live? What do you prefer?…

We really love playing live, because, you know, even if it may seem repetitive in some ways—since you’re always playing more or less the same song—it’s a lot of fun, and that’s how music is born. Studio work is different, but similar, and we enjoy it too. It’s nice, it’s cool to have a month or two to do all the studio work, and then see the audience and play live in front of a different crowd every time!

Last question, could you tell us a few words about your drummer and your guitarist?…

Oh yes, we have two musicians with us, amazing musicians. Diego is a young guy who plays guitar very, very well, he’s from Italy. And today we have a very experienced drummer named Lele Veronesi. You know, he can play a very special, very intense jazz, but he also plays with pop stars in Italy. So he’s a great guy to have behind us and, you know, he really supports us, and that’s important. That’s what we always say: it’s good to have a family on stage, basically!