December 01, 2004

Interview with Dario Grillo

As another Thanksgiving passes and another year prepares to make way for a new one, I have given some thought lately to how wonderful it has been to have a chance to interview so many artists of the great music of today! I found myself quietly smiling as I reviewed this interview with Dario Grillo of Platens. I saw a young artist full of hope and dedication and a belief that the music will always find a way. Dario’s new album “Between Two Horizons” is a great chance to get to know this up and coming artist. The album is not only a look inside the heart and soul of Dario but an opportunity for all of us to look inside ourselves ... our struggles and accomplishments.

So at this festive time of year I would like to wish everyone the very best of the season and hope that you enjoy this personal interview with Dario. To learn more about this promising artist and what is on the horizon for him stop by http://www.platens-opera.com and show your support!

Dario Grillo Interview

1. To start out the interview and give the visitors a chance to get to know you before getting into the questions I would like to ask you to introduce yourself, Dario Grillo, the man behind the music.
Dear Kathy, Before the interview I’d like to thank you for the support showed for my project band PLATENS.
I’m a simple guy of Palermo (Italy) of 25 years old. I study political sciences in Palermo’s university and I should confer a degree on the next months.
I’m a quiet and shy person; I like to stay in the open air, to have good time with my girlfriend and my brothers.
My Hobbies are: sport, nature, travels, reading, internet, Cinema, PS2 and obviously MUSIC!
No secrets, I’m a normal person I think. That’s all … This is Dario Grillo, the man behind the music.

2. Next I would like to ask you to introduce your new album, “Between Two Horizons”, please tell us a bit about the album and your thoughts on it as the artist.
Okay, “Between Two Horizons” represents some personal sensations and emotions of a particular moment of my life.
I composed the album two or three years ago. It’s the mirror of that period: the delusion towards an ending bad love story, the rage against some person which I considered real friends, some considerations about my future and other themes included on the album.
So many reflections contained in a unique great work: “Between Two Horizons” … My pain and joy, my troubles and glory, my instinct and reason, my heart and soul, an eternal deep fight with myself.
And I believe it also could represent the same conflicts which many people prove during their life.
“BTH” is not only the result of my mind but an important theme referred to the present society.
Our never-ending rocking between good and evil; among love, forgiveness, friendship, honesty and, in opposite, hate, envy, hypocrisy and dishonesty for example.
About the music, I think it’s very emotional. I’m really satisfied of the songwriting and musical execution. My only reticence could be the production.
As you know, I produced the album by myself in my poor home studio, so BTH is my first experience as producer. I could have made better with the general sound. But being my first production, I believe to have good margins of improvement. Surely I’ll make better on the next one. Give a little time....

3. While this is the first Platens album to be released this is far your first release, your discography shows a lifetime of work! Which when we stop to consider the fact that you are only 25 years old! How old were you when you released your first album and how do you feel Between Two Horizons differs from your early work?
I began to compose music when I was child. An innate passion for the music and the instruments.
I remember my first album called “Arcana” recorded with my band Dragon’s Breath.
I composed all the songs when I was only 14 years old. We recorded the whole album in two weeks in a professional studio of Palermo all nights after the school.... My eyes were always closed during the lessons of the following day. Ha-ha
Sometime I listen to those tapes feeling much amusement. It’s been a cool and rebel period for us guys.
We played in everyplace and every time we wanted.
Our drugs were music, girls and rock’n’roll.
So. I considered “Arcana” an angry and furious album, full of punk and thrash influences: a sort of Guns’n’Roses meets Nirvana, Soundgarden and Metallica.
I believe it’s impossible to compare ”Arcana” with “Between two horizons”. There are ten years of musical, mental and personal evolution. A different approach to the life and to the music.
I repeat, “Arcana” is rebel and shameless while BTH is more a more reflexive album dressed with emotions, intimacy and maturity.

4. You started playing guitar at a very early age and excelled in lessons by some exceptional instructors, do you feel that your early start was an advantage that helped you reach the point you are at now and will continue to help through your career?
Surely it’s been important to begin at an early age but not necessary I think.
Yes, when you’re a child, you learn and understand quickly; your memory is more elastic and agile. But I think also the real advantage is not the age but a little thing called TALENT!
The real difference between a great instrumentist and a great musician.
I intend that natural and innate approach to the music (sound in the veins, groove in the soul and melody in the heart!).
Believe in me, there are so many good instrumentists but really few talented musicians. Everybody cannot write great songs.

5. The AOR scene is enjoying something of a come back and I believe this trend is only going to get stronger, do you see the music gaining popularity where you are and what would you like to see over the years to come?
I see more interest for AOR and melodic rock but also an important return towards hardest sounds.
An interest for heavy metal and that’s good! I can only hope for this growth. However much of this revival will depend on the different mentality of the Major Label and, in a particular way, of MTV.
There’s still SHIT music on the TV screen.
The world needs real music to dream on. There is too much appearance in the present scene and little substance. We are here to give real emotions, not make-up!

6. Your top ten list of all time favorite albums shows diversity and a strong AOR influence, who would you say has been your greatest influences both musically and personally?
I listen to many different musical genres. I like Rock but also Blues, Jazz, Classical and so on.
My listening changes year by year. For example in these days my CDs change among Queen, Toto, eighteen Pop music, Duran Duran, Trance and Techno Music. I’m really open-mind. There are not barricades among the genres. The only important thing is the quality and the ideas.
About the Rock scene, I appreciate Pride of lions, Masterplan (the infinite voice of Jorn), Pain of Salvation, Fates warning and Threshold.
Well, If I look at my life, I recognize two or three bands really important like Guns’n’ Roses, Giant and Unruly Child (Mark Free period).

7. Your talents with the guitar are incredible, I believe in the years to come you will gain a reputation as one of the best, are there guitarists out there that you are still amazed by. Who do you feel are the greatest players today?
Thank you so much! I really appreciate your words. I repeat, it’s important to listen to different musical genres to reach for a personal style as guitar player.
My best guitar heroes of ever are: Dan Huff, Slash, Eric Clapton, Van Halen, John Lee Hooker, Steve Vai, Jeff beck, Malmsteen, Segovia and Paul Gilbert.

8. Many of the visitors to the site are aspiring musicians of all ages, do you think that it could be to early or too late to take guitar lessons, or would you suggest that those people invest the time to be shown the techniques?
There are no secrets to become great musicians. As I told you, the age is not the main prerogative. It’s important the passion, dedication, feeling and heart. The guitar is your girl, guyz!
The approach should be natural and I to forget the excessive technique when you start to play guitar. The speed on the neck should only serve to express your heart and your emotions!

9. With the first Platens album wrapped up what is on the horizon for you; are you planning any touring, a follow up album or perhaps another album from one of your other bands is up next?
Five excellent musicians wait for me to burn the stage! I’d like to play on tour my music, to feel the magic of the fans, to visit different countries, cultures and girls.
I hope to realize a European tour soon but I’m sure it’ll depend on the sales of the album.
At the same time I’m composing new material for the next album. Probably it could be sound like a great Metal Opera with special guests and different styles.
I still have to decide.....

10. You seem to be someone who is enjoying the digital age, with hobbies that include play stations and album covers done in digital artwork, how do you feel the internet helps, and perhaps hinders you as an artist?
Internet is the most important discovering of the century... An immense universe to know anything you want, a powerful means of communication and public relations.
Nevertheless it should be regulated in according to general laws for every Nation.
The tutelage of the copyright is an important right for us musicians.
How can we live if our music becomes available without control?
I say, don’t kill the music! Right the downloads of mp3 as means to make visible your bands but not for the whole albums. It’s a crime! A long and hard work burned in few seconds.
This behavior damages all the artists ‘cause lower sales means lower budgets for the production, promotion and at the end, undoubtedly, a worse quality of the music.

11. There are a lot of people discovering Dario Grillo this year and more that will be discovering you in the months to come, do you have a message to your new fans?
Give me only a chance to show you my music. Visit my web site http://www.platens-opera.com
You can download some samples of the album. Decide by yourself and if you like the music, buy the album. It’s a simple thing? Do you think so?

12. And finally to those fans who have known you for years, what message do you have for them to finish out this interview?
You should know my music. “Between two horizons” is a further evolution of my sound. It’s a renewal of my trademark. Let the cool music shine on your life!
Stay true, brothers!

Posted by Kathy at December 1, 2004 05:39 PM