December 1st, 2015 – It’s no news that Russia appreciates Italian music from the 1970s and 1980s (Al Bano, Toto Cutugno and Pupo are just some of the Italian artists popular in Russia). However, electronic music made in Italy is also a hit. Max Giunta, leader of Babylonia, is preparing with his band a stopover in Moscow on December 12: “this is the sixth time we perform in Russia. It’s always a pleasure to return to Moscow, where we’re always greeted with great enthusiasm. I still remember that during a concert some time ago, mid-concert the keyboards stopped working. I had to improvise something to entertain the audience while technicians tried to fix the damage. I chose “L’Italiano” by Toto Cotugno and it was a triumph. The whole room was singing that song. It was a very special moment. In our travels to Russia, we understood that artists like Al Bano and Romina are welcomed as if they were Madonna or U2.” But Babylonia’s musical style isn’t exactly classic like that of Al Bano. The group is one of the most followed on the Italian electronic scene, having already released three albums, hosts a long series of live concerts in Italy and abroad and having brought home numerous collaborations including a concert with the Pet Shop Boys in Pavia and the participation of Alice in the song “Io Sono Il Deserto”. “In late October, we released our fourth album – continues Max – it’s called ‘Multidimensional’. Like previous work, this album was written by myself and Robbie, even though at present we’re in two different dimensions. Hence the idea of the cover and the title of the album.” Robbie Rox is the other member of the group who launched the project back in 2003, in Milan, with the single ‘Without Asking Me’. On 29 June 2011, the untimely death of Robbie shook the group to its core. And the decision to continue production on the fourth album wasn’t an easy one. “The fourth album officially comes after an event that definitely marked my artistic career but most importantly my human experience. Completing it was a real achievement, considering that initially it was very painful and difficult. Today I can say that music saved my life after the loss and anger felt from Robbie’s passing. I was able to give myself another goal and to achieve it: I wanted to make a new record and I did. In hindsight, I can say that this album was for me painfully necessary.” Max also speaks of the important collaborations brought in to creat “Multidimensional:” There’s Steve Lyon, a London producer who worked with Depeche Mode, Subsonica, Laura Pausini and The Cure… He’s someone who can always teach us something.” The leader of Babylonia finally explains the secret of their success abroad: “We can cross the Alps because we perform in English and because of the kind of music we play: a little electronic, a bit British – a genre appreciated in Germany, Russia and throughout northern Europe.” (Gil)
