Paolo Zou, Venus
The new multifaceted, colorful album by Italian guitar player Paolo Zou, out now on Auand Records
Italian guitar player Paolo Zou’s new record, conceived over the lockdown weeks in early 2020, is intentionally nuanced and filled with different music moods. Such stylistic variety is key to Zou’s career, which includes electronic music production, reggae-ska, as well as appearances in the pop and hip-hop scene.
Released by Auand Records, “Venus” will be available on April 1st – singles from the album will pop up on all streaming platforms starting Friday, March 4th.
«Just like every composition I’ve made – Paolo Zou explains – I first figured out who I wanted to record with in my first album as a leader, then I started writing music, focusing on the musician I picked.» The lineup includes Adriano Matcovich on electric bass (plus vocals on one track) and Dario Panza on drums.
«On our first rehearsal – Zou recalls – there was immediately a deep understanding with the three of us, and a very similar approach to jazz and improvised music. When it comes to writing, I usually do everything at home, on paper, often including bass and drums. Agreeing with them on basically everything music-related was a breeze! We all have an open, inclusive mind. And we share a varied taste in music: ranging from jazz, trap, soul, and pop, to classical.»
“Venus” is a colorful, richly nuanced album, partly because of Zou’s personal experience: a slight form of synaesthesia, which allows him to feel a connection in sounds, colors and shapes. He decided to highlight this specific aspect of creativity – something that has intrigued artists, writers and poets, such as Baudelaire and Kandisnky, over the centuries.
«In this album – he adds – I wanted to make room for the colors evoked by songs, regardless of who wrote them. This is why every track title (except for some interludes) recalls an object with the color of that track: Venus is yellow, Orhis is red, Covellite is blue, Adamite green, while Is Arutas is white.»
1 Seahorse #1
2 Is Arutas
3 Seahorse #2
4 Orhis
5 Seahorse #3
6 Covellite
7 Seahorse #4
8 Venus
9 Seahorse #5
10 Adamite
11 Seahorse #6
12 Black Onyx
Paolo Zou - guitar
Adriano Matcovich - electric bass
Dario Panza - drums
Recorded at Jedi sound Studio on October 30-31, 2020 by Jesse Jermanò.
Mixed at Jedi Sound Studio in February 2021 by Alessandro Donadei.
