Alessandro Cortini on New Album 'Scuro Chiaro' and His Journey from Rock to Electronics

Alessandro Cortini, born in Bologna in 1976 and known for his work with Nine Inch Nails, released his new album 'Scuro Chiaro' on June 11, 2021, via Mute Records. In an interview with Artribune, he discusses his musical evolution from rock guitarist to electronic composer, his time at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, and the influences of 1980s bands like Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, and New Order. The album, more introspective and darker than his previous 'Volume Massimo', was shaped by the pandemic and the loss of his father. Cortini explains that 'Scuro Chiaro' reuses material from the last four years, unlike his earlier albums 'Avanti', 'Sonno', or 'Risveglio'. He also reveals that tracks 'Chiaroscuro' and 'Lo Specchio' were originally created for 'Volume Massimo' but didn't fit. The album's title and track names, such as 'Gloria' and 'Momenti', evoke emotional connections, like the film 'Chariots of Fire' with its Vangelis soundtrack.