He’s joined forces with everyone from… well, nightclub kings Joined Forces, Justin and Tattoo Jungle to the members of his current bands Twisted Twinz and American Zeppelin in his three decades-plus career. But until now, Livio Gravini has never released a solo studio effort. That’s a musical footnote he’s looking to add with No More Secrets, the working title for a CD he is presently seeking crowdfunding (search for Livio at indiegogo.com and hurry—his campaign ends Oct. 11) to complete.
The Crawler recently caught up with the timeless vocal treasure to talk everything from guitar pickin’ to spring chickens. Here’s some of what went down.
Crawler: Been a long time—to quote the inspiration for your American Zep tribute—a real long time for you on the local circuit. So why now for the solo venture?
Livio Gravini: Why now? Great question! All the stars are aligning, my voice is healthy, my music is inspired, I’m making wonderful contacts, and I’m ready to get to work. I’ve done CDs with my previous bands along with many studio demos over the years, but never my own CD. This CD is a collection of songs that have personal meaning and inspiration to me! You know, life is a journey, and people change, life goes on, you get wiser, learn from your mistakes, and get very, very humble. Although I feel I have the same gift of voice from years ago, I’m a different guy. My new music reflects that, and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.
What can we expect musically and lyrically from a guy who has covered every song under the sun and fronted tribute projects from Zeppelin to Van Halen?
You know, I’ve been a blues-based rock ’n’ roll singer all my career, and I’m not changing a thing. My influences are in my songs. I love basic blues, and I love the arrangements and production in classic rock. Lyrically, the collection of songs reflect where I am as a writer. I have a couple semi-autobiographical songs, a couple of personal ballads, some straight-up rockers, a blues, and the hot classic cover. That’s my CD in the nutshell.
Catch Livio Gravini with his Twisted Twinz duo at Christopher’s in Springfield Oct. 11, solo acoustic at Rapid’s in Huntington Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 18 fronting American Zeppelin.
In other news, blues, brews, and barbecue—the Riverside Festival (riversidebluesandbbq.com) sets up camp at Greenfield’s Beacon Field this weekend, Oct. 11 and 12.
“This has become the high holy day of our blues season,” Bill O’Halloran says of his Wildcat O’Halloran Blues Band, slated to perform at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
“This is our second year playing the festival,” adds 2 p.m. Sunday performer Janet Ryan. “I think it’s very cool that Greenfield has a Blues Fest, and as a local musician from Conway, I am excited to playing for the community.”
Last but not least, country girl power queens Antigone Rising have enlisted the services of the first lady of rock—June Millington, lead guitarist for Fanny, the first all-female rock band signed to a major label—to fill the bill for their Oct. 11 appearance at Northampton’s Iron Horse. Tix are $15 in advance, $18 at the door.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
