Music, Style & Culture

A To Z: Banjo Or Freakout

Natalizia talks us through his shoegaze world, letter by letter.

Banjo Or Freakout released his self-titled debut album this week. DIY grabbed Italian-born Alessio Natalizia to talk us through his shoegaze, noise pop world, letter by letter.

A is for... Automat: Automat were a studio group from Rome featuring two keyboardists and a third member, Mario Maggi, on keyboard programming. Maggi was the builder of the MCS70 synth that was used on this record. The new instrument's sounds were the main inspiration behind their S/T mini-album out in 1978. Mind blowing!

B is for... Banjo: So sick of reviews of my album that start saying that there's either no banjo and/or no freakout. Can't you find more interesting things to say?

C is for... Chorus: People don't understand that chorus is actually an incredible effect for guitars and synths! I'm also big fan of flanger for hi-hats but not guitars.

D is for... Descendents: They were one of my favourite bands when I was a kid. There's a song called 'Bikeage' that's amazing. It's funny because I used to think it was a bit of a slow ballad but randomly listened to it the other day and realised it is actually pretty fucking fast! Basically I am getting old.

Also. Dennis Wilson - my favourite Beach Boy.

And Delay: Up there with the chorus! Probably the best effect ever invented by humanity.

E is for... Emerald Web: An American musical duo made up of a husband and wife and founded in late 70s. I recommend their album 'Dragon Wings And Lizard Tales' - the way progressive music should be done.

F is for... Faust'o: Awesome and underrated Italian musician. Electronic improvisations mixing free jazz tradition, and the European a-la Tuxedomoon electronic heritage; this is his most experimental work and his best.

G is for... Green Pink Caviar by Marilyn Minter (2009): disturbing and beautiful

H is for... Hype = shit

I is for... The Incredible String Band: psych-folk music pioneers.

J is for... J Dilla: There are so many kids ripping J Dilla off at the moment; nerds with Akai samplers chopping loops here and there. Come on!

K is for... Korg Monotron: fantastic £50 analogue synth.

L is for... Laredo, Tx: Just at the border with Mexico. One of the freakiest moments in BoF life.

M is for... Mike Nelson - The Coral Reef. One of the true masterpieces of modern British art. A ripping, menacing installation at Tate Britain, narrative of our post-September 11 world but created a year before.

N is for... Neu!: Recording three albums using the same drum beat is pretty amazing.

O is for... Otters: You can see them eating mice underwater at the London Zoo. It actually looks incredible!

P is for... Please Listen I have Something To Tell You About This. A great book by Chris Johanson

Q is for... Q from Star Trek has omnipotent powers, and is continually evasive regarding his motivations. His home, the Q Continuum, is accessible to Qs and their guests, and the true nature of it is beyond the comprehension of lesser beings, such as humans, so it is only shown to humans in ways they can understand.

R is for... R. Stevie Moore the god of lo-fi.

S is for... Sanctus: an incredible short movie with lots of bodies and X rays by Barbara Hammer (1990).

T is for... This Heat: still sound like the future recorded 30 years ago.

V is for... Vasto: my hometown. Pretty much the best place in the world.

W is for... Walls: the ice cream and the band

X is for... X Factor, of course.

Y is for... Tadanori Yokoo. Crazy colours!

Z is for... Zinja Hlungwani and all the stunning stuff on the 'Shangaan Electro: New Wave Dance Music From South Africa' compilation.