Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Michele De Martiis
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory connected to music dates back to when I was six years old. I remember spending afternoons playing with my parents, with an Elvis Presley or Adriano Celentano record always playing in the background.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
It was during those weekends spent playing with my parents: I would look at the images on the covers of the LP records and imagine myself on stage, singing and playing the guitar in front of huge, ocean-like crowds.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Gattacci is a song I wrote around the theme of diversity. I was inspired and encouraged by a friend to create the theme song for an animated cartoon that tells the story of a mouse who is excluded from its community because it is somehow different.
I took this opportunity to explore the topic from multiple perspectives, aiming to highlight that diversity is an added value, not a limitation or something that makes a person “unworthy” and leads to exclusion or marginalization. On the contrary, within a group, diversity brings value, fosters growth, and helps everyone improve.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
My style is singer-songwriter, with indie pop influences.
My way of making music almost always from the lyrics.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Meeting a Roman producer was very important for me, because he guided me in improving my songwriting, teaching me the art of synthesis.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
My creative process has always been the same and it’s very simple: pen and paper for the lyrics, acoustic guitar for the music. I don’t use any electronic tools.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
If I have to name just one, I would say Emma Nolde.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Certainly a lot, starting from the fact that what I write almost exclusively reflects my personal experiences. But also, all the people I have met in the music world have left their mark and influenced my work.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
The beauty of being human! I can’t point to a single emotion in particular; it would already be wonderful to know that someone feels moved while listening to my songs.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That alone we can do a lot, but together we can do more.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
The Tenco Award.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Niccoló Fabi, because I feel close to him on a human level..
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/micheledema
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/micheledemartiis
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@micheledema
and all music streaming platforms.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I would like to perform live more often, so I can meet and connect in real, physical contact with my audience.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
More than discovering anything, I hope listeners can appreciate my music and, as a result, appreciate me as a person. My wish is to truly connect with people and reach them for who I am.
