Satellite Voices

Rome

Paolo Di Nola Meets Goblin

May 25, 2011

An exclusive two-part interview with the masters of Italian horror movie soundtracks

• Text by Satellite Voices

Guest Feature by Paolo Di Nola

Since 1975, the band Goblin has been a pivotal part of the pop imagery of the capital of Italy. If you are into cult horror movies you know Dario Argento and if some of those gory scenes from his movies are still stuck in your head it's also because of the creepy soundtrack written form the band. Here are a few words with the mastermind behind the sound, Mr. Claudio Simonetti, who is also responsible for some of the best Italo disco tunes ever made.

Satellite Voices: Claudio, Your music with Goblin as well as a solo artist  collaborating with filmmaker Dario Argento ("Suspiria", "Depp Reed") became an inseparable part of the Roman music scene. Do you think Roma has a dark side like the sound of your band Goblin?

Claudio Simonetti: As far as I'm concerned I don't think that Roma has a dark side, unlike Paris or London, perhaps because there has been a lot of neo-realism, action or comedy movies coming from here, that took away the magic that the city potentially has for darker movies. Torino has a much darker side, is a mysterious city in fact Dario Argento always goes there to shoot his movies. Our music is connected to Rome because we are all from here!

SV: In 1978 you released a concept album, "Il fantastico viaggio del bagarozzo Mark". It is common opinion that is one of your best albums despite the low commercial success. Do you think that the lyrics, that where clearly anti drug, collides with the psychedelic, prog-rock sound of the album?

Claudio Simonetti: Unfortunately "Il fantastic viaggio del bagarozzo Mark" was not a very lucky record despite the fact it was great. I can't really pin point why but I don't think the lyrics contributed to a negative outcome of the album. Maybe the timing of the release was wrong or perhaps the record label was not able to promote it properly, Anyway we where at the end of the 70s and music was changing the trend was more dance and less rock.

Check back for an iconic part two tomorrow...