Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Still Silence
Band
Elia Gamboni – Vocals
Paolo Pedroni – Rhythm Guitar
Joey Baccalà – Drums
Matteo Bonfatti – Lead Guitar
Flavio Nodari – Bass
Origin
Locarno, Ticino – Svizzera
Biography
Still Silence is a Swiss nu/alternative metal band formed in Locarno (Canton Ticino) in March 2024 through the meeting of Elia, Paolo, Dino, and Joey. The quartet began their journey by exploring covers from iconic bands such as Deftones, Papa Roach, System of a Down, and Rammstein, laying the foundation for a strong musical chemistry. From the start, Still Silence’s mission was clear: to create original songs paying homage to the giants of 2000s nu/alternative metal, while integrating modern sound elements and achieving a perfect balance between crushing heaviness and engaging melody. After several months of refinement, the band realized the need for a second guitarist to broaden their sonic palette with more nuances and dynamics. Following various auditions, Matteo joined the lineup, solidifying the Still Silence project. Between late May and early June 2024, the band recorded its first three debut tracks, marking the beginning of their discographic journey. In September 2025, Dino left the group and Flavio joined as the new bassist, bringing fresh energy and revitalizing the band’s sound.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I speak for myself, but as a child, when my cousin, who was 10 years older than me, played Queen or Guns N’ Roses for me, those were some of my first truly thrilling moments. Then there were two Italian singer-songwriters I listened to a lot as a kid: Max Pezzali of 883 and Davide Van De Sfross, the latter is a great singer-songwriter who writes and sings in the Lake Como dialect (Italy). My turning point came when I was 9! I was watching a cartoon show on an Italian channel (Bim Bum Bam) with my two little cousins, whom I grew up with. During a commercial break, I heard the riff from “Pretty Fly (for a white guy)” by The Offspring… from that moment on, I knew that “alternative” music, initially punk, though I listen to various genres, would be my path.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I remember that when I was very young, I must have been about 5 years old, someone gave me a toy guitar. At the time, I lived right next to a restaurant at the top of a typical Swiss valley, and since I considered the restaurant part of my home, there was one afternoon when I “played” for hours, entertaining the customers. I think that was my first “concert,” ha ha. The most important part, though, was when, together with two other great friends, I started our first band… Brigata Resistenza. The other major project I created with a schoolmate of mine back then was Razorrock, a band inspired by punk, ’80s heavy metal, and hard rock. With Razorrock, we released two albums, “Roo, Hard ’n’ Heavy” (2011) and “Electric City” (2015), as well as four other singles.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Still Silence came about after a difficult period. I had left the band I was playing with because the drummer and I didn’t get along… playing wasn’t fun anymore, so I decided to leave. The desire to make music was still there, though, so I contacted Pol Pedroni (rhythm guitar), who supported me in starting a new project. At the end of March 2024, Broken Home was born, later renamed Still Silence. Our sound and the bands that inspire us are rooted in early 2000s nu/alternative metal.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
As mentioned earlier, our sound draws inspiration from the early 2000s and bands such as Papa Roach, Disturbed, System of a Down, Spineshank, Limp Bizkit, Nonpoint, 36 Crazyfists, and others. Our goal is to deliver a powerful sound that’s also rich in beautiful melodies, both vocal and rhythmic.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Decide what kind of sound you want to create, stick to that vision, and then work with your bandmates to chart a course that takes everyone’s tastes into account while staying true to your own vision. I’d also say there shouldn’t be too many people making important decisions, otherwise things get complicated and you end up not seeing eye to eye.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Our creative process is basically always the same: either I or Mat (lead guitarist) comes up with an idea, we sketch it out together using a DAW, we run the idea by the rest of the band… and then we all work together to tweak and arrange it.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I couldn’t really say right now… but a while back, I really liked the song “C.L.A.U.D.I.A” by the band Vukovi. It’s really beautiful and powerful.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Especially in the lyrics, which are then shaped by an underlying theme. Depending on what inspires me, what upsets me or interests me at a given time, and my past experiences… these things then influence my songwriting.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope that, depending on the song, those who listen to our music will be able to draw their own emotions and interpretations from it. But fundamentally, I’d say that hope, reflection, and anger are the main themes we hope listeners will pick up on.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Even when you’re alone, if there’s music, you’re never really alone.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
We’re a band from southern Switzerland, and the Greenfield Festival in Interlaken is a festival I’ve been attending for 10 years now… Playing there would be a dream come true for me and a major milestone.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Papa Roach and System of a Down. Because they’re my two main inspirations, and I especially think System of a Down is a band that goes beyond nu metal… It would be really cool and interesting to collaborate with them.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
You can find us on Facebook and Instagram. We’re on YouTube. And you can listen to our music on all major streaming platforms, such as Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, etc., as well as on the platform for emerging Swiss artists, www.mx3.ch.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
In the short to medium term, I’d say releasing an album and opening for a medium-to-large band, maybe in German-speaking Switzerland or Italy… we’ll see.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
But I think that as a band, we want to build a solid fan base with whom we can continue to discover more about each other, get to know one another better, and share wonderful moments of music, friendship, and fun together in as many places and regions as possible.
Still Silence – Still In The Dream
