Raffaele Genovese
He is the composer of Luca Pappalardo‘s Stationary Bike Dollar Baby film.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Raffaele Genovese: I am actually a jazz pianist, but since I was a child, I have always had a passion for composition. I am a piano teacher at the music high school and perform with my bands playing my own music. I am passionate about cycling – hence a connection with the theme of the short film – literature, and philosophy.
SKSM: How did you become involved with Stationary Bike?
Raffaele Genovese: I have known Luca Pappalardo for several years; he was one of my piano students when he was very young. I have been collaborating with him for several years, and this is his third short film featuring my music. I hope there will be more in the future.
SKSM: How did you get started as a composer and what do you do on production?
Raffaele Genovese: I have been composing since I was a young boy. As a teenager, I tried to write songs for my rock band, but we never released an album. While studying jazz at the conservatory, I began to understand more about composition and arrangement techniques; however, what was crucial was listening to a lot of music. The production methods depend on the type of project: when I write for jazz ensembles, I am more traditionalist, composing note by note on paper or using music notation software. When I work on productions more oriented towards neoclassical and electronic music, I work directly on the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation).
SKSM: How did you get started to wrote the Soundtrack for Stationary Bike?
Raffaele Genovese: The first thing I did was read the short story to understand the plot. Subsequently, Luca sent me the edited version with some reference audio tracks to understand at which point and what kind of music he had in mind
SKSM: Is this your most challenging audio so far?
Raffaele Genovese: Working on composition is always challenging. I typically work on projects that I like and am passionate about, which makes the whole process much more enjoyable.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the music that you would like to tell me about?
Raffaele Genovese: Receiving the final version of the short film was a truly special moment because only then did I realize that I had truly done a good job.
SKSM: After Stationary Bike did you write more music? If so what?
Raffaele Genovese: Yes, I have written and recorded music for my solo project – in which I play the piano and various synthesizers: ‘Refraction,’ ‘La scatola,’ ‘Overcoming,’ and ‘Transparency‘ are the titles of the latest singles released.
SKSM: What are you working nowadays?
Raffaele Genovese: Currently, I am focusing on composing and arranging music for a jazz quintet, with which we will enter the recording studio in the coming months.
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Raffaele Genovese: I have read some of his works: ‘The Green Mile’ and ‘Misery’ are my favorites.
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Raffaele Genovese: Probably the diversity of interests: I am not a musician who only lives thinking about music, although it is the most important thing. I love vegan cooking, literature, philosophy, cycling, art, cinema and photography.
SKSM: What advice would you give to those people who want to be musicians?
Raffaele Genovese: Studying a lot, listening to a lot of music, having many experiences with musicians and in different cities around the world. But above all, it’s about being curious.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything else you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Raffaele Genovese: Well, of course. Watch ‘Stationary Bike‘. And follow me on social networks.
SKSM: Do you like something to add?
Raffaele Genovese: Thank you for the interview.
