After spending the last few years delivering a wealth of smooth and adventurous offerings, Italian artist and producer Million Chameleon is back once again with his breezy new effort 'Getting Better'.
Channelling a wonderfully light and airy atmosphere from start to finish, 'Getting Better' makes for a beautifully absorbing listen. With his sweet and sweeping voice layered over a laid-back neo-soul production, his newest release is best enjoyed under the summer sun with a cold drink in hand.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Guitar, my dad said “If I buy you this will you actually play it or will it sit in a corner and collect dust? That promise I made was perhaps what really got me to learn by doing as I never took lessons”.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Growing up I was a huuuge rock and alternative rock fan, my Dad was showing me Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Yes and as I learned guitar Jimi Hendrix was my absolute idol, especially for being so unconventional yet so unique. I also began loving hip-hop as a teenager and Nas was probably the first artist I listened to the full discography of.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Stadium Arcadium, it was the first full album with a cover image I remember buying online and having on my phone, back when the memory barely fit a full album. I must have listened to that album at least 100 times, with “slow cheetah” being my favourite song off it. Even though that album could be a collection of singles for how good and famous all those songs are.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Angie, Rolling Stones. It is a song that gives me emotion and shivers every time I hear it. It is an absolute masterpiece of emotional connection between the artist and his listener. I wonder though, how big of an element Mick Jagger’s performance is, I could have written it but I doubt the same emotion would come across. Honourable mention also for 2009 by Mac Miller and Love Yourz by Jcole.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I keep having to take breaks and going back. I feel that I can have a long session in the studio, but I can’t progress through just one song. I need breaks to clear my mind and take it to the next step. I usually begin production on a couple songs in one session, then maybe pick up one song the next day and lay down all live instruments, then melody, then vocals and then recording and mixing. Usually all on separate days, my mind feels more lucid.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Mac Miller’s Posthumous albums are really something. Recently an artist I have been listening to nonstop (even if he mainly does covers) is joseph salomon, what a voice!
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
This is so hard, just one?? Maybe Masego, or Mac Demarco.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Putting something out in the world that has a part of you in it, almost like adding your own special ingredient to a plate that then anyone can eat from. Music is incredible, and the effect it has on people is mesmerising, how it can recall emotions, memories, motivate you, make you fall in love, or take out your rage. I think that just being part of that process is really special and a blessing.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Feeling stuck, this world is really hard as there is no drawn path in front of you, it’s about the choices you make and the person you are. It can become really hard when you invest a lot into something and sometimes you still look forward and you’re not sure where to go. I have learnt that those are the moments to look back and understand that maybe not in a straight line, but you’ve been moving forward no doubt.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Don’t care about hype or numbers, obviously the flashy element comes less. But this is what has allowed me to have such great results even with way less numbers than some peers. I think it is possible to “fake it till you make it” but it’s just not really the path for me.
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Million Chameleon's new single 'Getting Better' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.