Hiya_SHOE, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
I was a little kid, and I barely remember a life without music. It’s always been a part of my journey from the beginning.
What’s the live music scene like in Castelcucco right now? Anyone we should be looking out for (bar you, of course)?
Well… let’s say it’s never been that great. It’s a very small rural town in northern Italy, and live music is not exactly the main focus. Lately, some bands have escaped the gravity of this area to enter a more global stage (such as Messa), but in general, the music scene is mostly nonexistent.
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician. How do you feel about this?
It has never been my strength to sell myself. It’s always difficult to find the right way to promote oneself without bothering or annoying everyone. Social media gives you a great opportunity to escape the bubble of your town, or your area in general, and find audiences that have some kind of interest in what you do. It’s a great opportunity — we just need to take things less seriously.
How do you manage engagement on your socials?
My experience with social media is the “post and ghost” tactic. I put out what I want to share, and then I leave. I don’t want to give it too much weight.
What’s your view on the music industry today?
For me, the music industry has always been something so far away that I’ve never even considered having an opinion about it, apart from the fact that it’s probably an industry just like any other. In 2025, the ease of entry into the “music business” and the ability to publish autonomously certainly help artists share what they do — but it also inflates the offer, making it much more difficult to emerge and be heard.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
At the very bottom? I probably just entered this world, and the road is very long and uphill.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
What I do is mostly for my fun and pleasure only — and if along the ride somebody likes what I do, amazing. If not, I had fun along the way!
What was your best experience on stage?
_SHOE has never had any live performances yet, but I used to have an alt-metal/post-grunge band (almost 15 years ago now…) and I remember a few live gigs that were really fun and entertaining.
What was your worst experience on stage?
One in particular was in a very questionable venue. Organization was nonexistent, the drums we shared between bands had mold on them and were basically wet. Electricity was coming and going… we still had some fun, somehow.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.
_SHOE is a rogue software that had military applications during the 70s and 80s. It’s an acronym for “Synthetic High-Output Efficiency,” and it was used for developing military boots for Lyncoln & Lloyd Megacorp.
In real life, I am a shoemaker — so everything ties together nicely.
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
Lace Entanglement is a snippet of what’s coming in the near future. It’s an extract from Season 2 of the Devisal Story (Season 1 here). The song is a slow and pulsating anthem for digital and virtual angst — something that feels very relevant today.
What was the recording process like?
I have a home studio, so everything is done “in house.” Starting from riffs and ideas, everything is composed, arranged, and recorded by me. The only external contributor to the project is singer Stefano Francescato, who kindly lends his voice to the project.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
I’m mostly an analog instruments guy — so guitars, drums, basses, and so on. Learning how to use synths a few years back was quite challenging for me.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
No. Once it’s finished, it’s “perfect” the way it is.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
I will in the near future — just stay tuned and follow me on Instagram and YouTube! Cheers!
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