Franco Cava is the case of artist who knows how to mix quite different elements in his music. Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, by Italian parents, Francisco Luciano Cava embraced the cultural art of both countries and invented a new, unique musical genre that combines them.
From the age of 17 he began to present and produce one of the first Italian radio programs in Brazil (Radio Imprensa, Rio de Janeiro). He joined the Samba School, Portela, and won several samba enredo contests, writing songs that later took part in the great Carnival Parade. Since 1995, however, he has invaded the record industry by releasing his first album, entitled “Guia” and was meant to come after this, was just exciting.
With collaborations like the one with the top Italian singer and “his brother” -as he desribes him- Jovanotti, but with many other Brazilian stars too, Franco Cava has enriched his career with even more melodies.
Our acquaintance was random but it was enough to introduce me to his own, distinct musical world. This interview was probably unavoidable, and through this, my new friend, Franco Cava talks about everything. About his origins, everything that inspires him, samba, Italy, his future plans and -of course- Jovanotti. Enjoy…
Franco welcome to SounDarts.gr. You were born in Rio de Janeiro by Italian parents, which mean that you speak both languages. You have written songs in Portuguese and in Italian but in which language is easier for you to write your songs and which one is closer to your heart for your performances?
My music is a hybrid. She is the daughter of a mixed world. Contaminated. But it’s not like a juice in the blender. I would say it’s a fruit salad with large pieces of fruit where the flavors are together without losing their identity. I’ve already sang poetry that I wrote over a samba rhythm. And sambas with lyrics in Italian.
Both Brazil and Italy have great history and tradition in music. Do you consider your creations to be closest to the musical roots of one of the two countries or do you prefer to experiment with new sounds and blends?
Brazil represents the third economy in the world of music. We have more than one hundred types of rhythms in Brazil. I like to be contaminated by American and English music but it never occupies the main room of my house. She has her space in the guest bedroom. The melodies of the Italian songs are very strong and they have managed to influence even ABBA and many other international bands. There are even traces of opera in my creations. I make music that intends to be colonizing and not colonized.
What inspires you the most to write your songs?
It is never an inspiration. It is always transpiration (work hard). I need to work every day. To compose every day. To write every day. Without the fear of writing bad music because they are the ones who will bring the good ones.
But of course to write a good song you must be in love, with a place, a person, a project, an emotion, a simple situation, and also a political reason or a good film can make me write a good song like the one I wrote when a saw the Greek movie “Z” by Costas Gravas. I wrote a song called “Z, the one who never dies”.
Your first album “GUIA” was released in 1995 and your latest album “Mobile” in 2015. Through these two decades in which ways do you believe that your music has evolved?
I’m like the filmmakers. I have the feeling of always making the same movie from the beginning. I tell the same story with the same characters. And these characters mature with me, they grow old with me. I change their clothes, their makeup, but they are always the same. Many times I think I prefer the imperfection and the spontaneity of youth than “the perfection of the maturity”.
Is there a song that you have written, that holds a special place in your heart and why?
Many ones. From my first album “Guia” I like “Madureira-Pelô”, from “Bossa Jova” I prefer to sing “Raggio di sole”, “Bella” and “Cometa”. From “Escapulario” I love “Escapulario”, “Lezione di boxe”, “Monolocale” and “Quase”. From “Sambacord” my favorite is “Barracão”. And finally from “Mobile” I love “Cosmologia”, “Mina” and “Singolo”.
In 2003 you met the Italian superstar Jovanotti and you released two albums through his label. What’s your relationship with him now and how do you recall this collaboration?
The real name of the singer Jovanotti is Lorenzo Cherubini. Cherubino means “angel”. And that’s what he is in my artistic life. An angel.
Our friendship was born before our artistic collaboration. And it was always my choice. My priority was always to build an affective career with him. I was transformed by his character, his ideas and his music. And maybe I also offered something in return, even in a smaller dimension. Jovanotti opened the doors of his life and his home to my music. He’s my brother. Much more than a friend.
Through all this time you have collaborated with a lot of other artists. Which collaborations were the most important for your career so far?
I think that Jovanotti was the most important artist in my career and also Eumir Deodato. Deodato is a very important Brazilian composer and musician. He has done many beautiful things with Bjork too.
Are there any other artists that you wish to collaborate with, in the future?
I dream to work some day with an Italian artist called Franco Battiato.
Are you working on anything new at the moment?
Now I am working on a great project for my samba school in Rio. Portela. I lived in Italy many years and I’m from Rio. I’m putting together the cultural influence of Italy and I mix it with the carnaval parade in the Sambodrome. We will put together Fellini and Rio, Jovanotti and Anita, opera and samba.
What are your musical plans for the near future?
I’m not a great singer, but I have great ideas and very original sound. I’m planning to sing a cover album only with Boney M hits. Very crazy, indie versions of the most popular Boney M songs: “Rivers of Babylon”, “Rasputin”, “Gotta go home”. The tittle of the album will be “DIAL BONEY M FOR MURDER”, which was inspired by another very famous Hitchcock film, “Dial M for murder”.
What is your motto in life?
I think that to fight for a better world with my music, my art, my passion is my reason to live. To fall in love with a person, a political choice, a new kind of music is certainly some kind of a revolution.
Interview: Theodore Kolliopoulos
This interview is dedicated to a bunch of people who shared with me and Franco, an unforgettable adventure at the magical Rio de Janeiro! Muito obrigado! -T.K.
