Avicii – Downtown Magazine

In his 30-plus years as a singer, songwriter and musician, Adelmo Fornaciari — better known as Zucchero — has sold over 60 million albums. Beyond being widely-recognized as the father of Italian blues music, he is the best-selling Italian artist of all time. Collaborators of Zucchero have included Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Ray Charles, Sting, and B.B. King. Collaborations like these have led to Zucchero receiving six IFPI Europe Platinum Awards, six Wind Music Awards, and two World Music Awards.

Zucchero has not stopped created new music, and his latest full-length is 2016’s Black Cat. The Universal Music title includes work with U2’s Bono, Dire Straits’ Mark Knopfler, Elvis Costello, Loney, Dear, and Avicii. In support of Black Cat, Zucchero will be touring the United States next month, including a Mar. 31 stop at The Beacon Theatre.

Downtown had the pleasure of speaking with Zucchero about Black Cat, his history with New York, and what else he has coming up. Zucchero can be visited online at www.zucchero.it and followed via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Where was the first gig you ever played in New York? What do you remember about it?

Zucchero: It was 2007 at Carnegie Hall. It was a great thrill for me to play in New York. We had a great time that night.

Do you ever come to New York besides touring here? Have you recorded an album here?

Z: No, I haven’t for a long time. My new album Black Cat was recorded in New Orleans.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

Z: There are many restaurants that I love in New York, but I have a good friend Fabio who owns Serafina, and I always to one of his restaurants.

For someone who hasn’t seen you live before, why should they expect from your Beacon Theatre show?

Z: I enjoy performing for the fans and new fans. The show has a lot of energy, tracks from my new album and my hits — the crowds seem to love it!

Do you have a favorite song on your new album?

Z: It would be unfair of me to pick a favorite, but the song “Streets Of Surrender” will always have a special meaning to me. Bono wrote the lyrics and I wrote the music. It is a track inspired by the attacks at The Bataclan in Paris in 2015.

Black Cat was produced by Don Was. When did you first meet Don?

Z: When I recorded my album Fly back in 2005/2006. He is a great guy and fun to work with we have a good connection.

Once you’re doing touring in support of Black Cat, what is ahead for you?

Z: I will take some time out in Italy with my family and friends. Then I will start to think about a new album and tour!

You’ve collaborated with many of pop and rock’s top stars. Is there anyone you’re still hoping to collaborate when?

Z: Bruce Springsteen would be a great guy to work with — who knows…

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?

Z: I have my farm in Italy, and I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.

Is there something you wish more people knew about Zucchero?

Z: No, I cannot think of anything. I think most people know what I am about!

Did you have a favorite album of 2016?

Z: Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker — a very spiritual record. He will be sadly missed.

Finally, Zucchero, any last words for the kids?

Z: I very much hope you carry on enjoying my music and concerts. Love and peace to everybody.

Over 10 years ago, Matisyahu experienced the joy of having his first hit single, “King Without A Crown.” Not only did “King” crack the Top 30, but its accompanying album sold over 500,000 copies within a year of release. Many critics were quick to dismiss Matisyahu as a novelty artist — the lone Hasidic Jew within the reggae world — yet things never slowed down for him. He had the unofficial theme song of the 2010 Olympics. He has toured alongside Sting, 311 and Sublime With Rome. He has collaborated with a wide array of artists, including P.O.D., The Dirty Heads, Wyclef Jean, The Crystal Method, Moon Taxi, and Avicii.

Back in November, Matisyahu released a new EP, Release The Bound. In support of that, he kicked off his annual Festival Of Light tour on Dec. 14, which included three nights at Manhattan’s City Winery. Downtown caught up with Matis for some Q&A to learn more about his past, present and future; the near-future will reportedly include a new full-length album later this year. Matisyahu can be visited online at www.matisyahuworld.com and also followed on Twitter and Facebook.

What do you wish more people knew about you?

Matisyahu: That I am single. (laughs)

In putting out nine releases over the past 11 years, plus some collaborations and one-offs, you have released more music than the majority of major artists. Are you writing frequently?

M: I take opportunities to write and record in collaborations with other artists or musicians pretty much constantly. Most of my time in music though, is spent playing shows. Every two years or so I go into an intensive process of writing. For example, we came off the road in September and went immediately into writing mode. Then I spent three months writing and recording my new record to be released this spring. In a sense though, we write as a group every night when we play because If the improvisational nature of my live show. So even though we only spent three months writing and recording, we spent the better last of two years as a unit on the road creating a sound and experimenting with what the next record will feel like.

How would you describe Release The Bound to a longtime fan of yours that hasn’t heard it yet?

M: It’s a collaborative piece. Three different producers, so there are a few different vibes. It’s a typical Matisyahu melding of sounds and styles blending of genres, but it definitely leans towards a more danceable upbeat up lifting modern sound.

Do you have a favorite song on Release The Bound?

M: Don’t really have a fav. The songs are kind of like kids. Kind of love them the same for different reasons. I guess I was gonna to point to one tune it would be “Shade From The Sun.” It has a more organic sound, kind of African vibe, dancehall reggae flow.

I remember watching Jimmy Kimmel Live the night you made your TV debut. Looking back, was that an enjoyable experience?

M: YES! That was such an exciting time for me. Coming out Yeshiva and the books and the basement in Crown Heights to realizing my dreams in such a surreal way. It was also a lot of travel, and being tired, and waiting around. So it was fun and awesome and at the same time a bit of a reality check on what having a music career is made of.

For your December shows in New York, did the disco dreidel make an appearance?

M: Yes, the disco dreidel made a comeback and was in full effect at this year’s Festival Of Light tour. I love that thing. It lives in my house.

A video of you dueting with a performer in Hawaii that didn’t know it was you went viral recently. Has anything similar happened to you before?

M: Not really. I’ve heard people listening to my music before. I do love the element of surprise, though. That’s always been fun for me.

When not busy with music, how do you like to spend your free time?

M: Well, I manage myself and have four kids under 12, so I don’t really have much free time. If the weather is good and I have a few hours free, I will most likely call up my dad and we’ll go ride motorcycles up state for a bit. Other then that, I like watching my kids play sports and expanding my consciousness.

What is your favorite restaurant in your neighborhood?

M: There is a cool Israeli cafe type place where I live. They have good coffee and it’s a nice environment. It’s called Art Cafe. But my main spot is called Gypsy Donut. Great coffee and mainly just a nice destination when I need to take a walk. Actually all the dudes that work there are in a band, and I’ve even recorded vocals for “Storm Tossed,” a song I released this summer at their studio in town.

What about a favorite restaurant in downtown Manhattan?

M: Downtown, nothing comes to mind. Guess I haven’t been out for a while. Damn.

Other than your EP, what is your favorite music release of 2016?

M: That’s a tough one. Probably the new Bon Iver and then Frank Ocean in a close second. Ooohhh, Flume Flume Flume and my favorite, probably Vince Staples and Popcaan and Jon Belion, Tycho…Lots of great music out there now.

Finally, Matis, any last words for the kids?

M: For the kids: “Stay calm, breathe deep, listen to music that makes you feel better, trust your instincts, pray for a teacher, find a friend. If you have a passion spend your time in it, if you don’t, then just enjoy the ride and emphasize with your fellow humans and the environment you live in. Put down your phone when something really awesome is happening and just breathe it all the way into your soul. It will make a greater impact than capturing it for social media. Peel off the shell and love with all your heart.”