10 Quick Ones with GIUSEPPE SBRANA of SKINFLINT – May 2018

According to a recent press release: “For many rock listeners, Gaborone, Botswana is not the first location one thinks of when it comes to the hometown of many heavy metal bands. But since 2006, the three-piece Skinflint has been making their hometown located in Southern Africa proud. On June 1st, the group will be issuing their fifth full-length release overall via INTO Records (distributed by Cargo Records), which will be self-titled, and as heard by such standout cuts as “Eyes in a Leopard’s Spots” and “Birds and Milk, Bloody Milk,” Skinflint continues to build on the promise of their previous albums.” We get singer / guitarist Giuseppe Sbrana to discuss new music, influences, and more in our 10 Quick Ones…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

I think some of the African influences might not be heard on a first listen through, but become more evident with a repeated listening.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My late uncle Ray Sbrana was a blues guitarist and also played for a rock band called Nosey Road. He had a large collection of Hendrix tapes, and classic blues artists which he would borrow to me. I was 12 at the time and heard the song Machine Gun by Jimi Hendrix from the Band of Gypsies for the first time. It was a magical moment for me. Something clicked and I knew at that moment I wanted to be a musician.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Iron Maiden, African Mythology, and certain aspects of African music (Borankana, Rhumba)

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Victor Rosewrath, from Ugandas Vale of Amonition. I think we could do interesting things and explore new directions for African Metal.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

The sound of Skinflint is a combination of elements from Heavy Metal with African music and mythology.

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Creating new worlds to explore that take the listener on an interesting journey.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Lol, I try to avoid the responsibility of cooking and suggest a restaurant instead. But I do ask the drummer to bake for us, I guess it makes us perform better. Must be some kind of secret recipe. As for the Heart of the party, it’s our bassist without a doubt.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

To write Fiction, especially Dark Fantasy.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

I don’t think so. I have made mistakes in my career, but when I look back on them I see them as an invaluable lesson that has helped shape me into the artist I am today.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Black Sabbath – Paranoid. It is the album that got me into Heavy Metal \m/

SKINFLINT LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Category: Interviews