CENOBIUM

Photo credit: Raffaella Vismara

Answers by Andrea Lombardini

Q1. For readers who might not be familiar with you, would you please provide some background on yourself, where you’re from, etc.?

I am a bassist, composer, and producer, born in Venice, Italy. I have been playing professionally since 2000, making versatility and creativity my key strengths. I have explored almost every musical genre, from Baroque to noise rock, but it is primarily in jazz that I find the most freedom to express myself. Cenobium is the group where I can synthesize my musical experiences—and those of my bandmates—into a single, cohesive sound.

Q2. Who are some of your primary influences?

My musical tastes are very broad, but among my most evident influences, I’d highlight all Afro-American-derived music and English bands, spanning from the post-punk scene through to the end of the 20th century. Recently, I’ve been particularly interested in the new wave jazz emerging from the West Coast of the United States.

Q3. Talk to us about the new EP MMXXIV: what was the writing and recording process like, what themes and sounds do you explore on the record, etc.?

I started playing with Cenobium a little over a year ago, meeting regularly for collective studio sessions and experimentation. I wanted to give a fresh look to some pieces I had written some time ago and attempt to merge more and more rock-alternative-inspired vocal pieces with instrumental music. This first album is meant to be a quick starting point. We have a lot of music to record, and we can’t wait to get back into the studio for the second chapter.

Q4. Do you have a favorite song from the EP, or is there one song you’d highlight as the best introduction to Cenobium and why?

I would choose Grains of Sand as the vocal piece and Eggplant as the instrumental one. Both showcase our passion for harmonic richness and sudden shifts in atmosphere, as if we were actors performing in front of elaborate moving backdrops.

Q5. The EP is out on Hodie Files, the newly founded digital-only label—what can you tell us about the label, its origin and mission, etc.?

After a quarter of a century of recording experiences—some very good, others less so—I had built enough contacts to manage a release independently. I felt the need to have the control and freedom to publish my music, which some find too jazz, and others too rock. Although at the moment digital distribution earnings are negligible, I wanted to move away from physical formats for economic, ecological, and audience-related reasons. Hodie Files is a label managed by an artist with the aim of documenting music that transcends genres but is rooted in Afro-American traditions.

Q6. What have your touring plans in support of the album been and what has the experience been like so far?

Cenobium has started presenting its music live with great audience success. Having vocal pieces helps create a connection with younger listeners, to whom we can then introduce the other shades of our musical world. We have a good calendar of concerts planned for spring, currently in Italy, but we’re ready to cross borders as soon as possible.

Q7. Are there any other future plans for the band at the current time?

Next month, we’ll begin working on the repertoire for our next album, which we’ll record in the spring. We’d also like to do a more acoustic session, perhaps one or two singles. Having a label not tied to physical releases allows us to share music more quickly and directly.

Q8. Do you have any parting words for the readers?

If you’ve read this far, thank you! I invite you to listen to our music on your preferred digital platform. You can follow us on social media and get in touch. I like to think that through music, we can reach the lives of people far away and connect with them through an imaginary thread.