Giorgio Poi on Self-Made Album Art and the Imperfect Beauty of Smog

Italian musician Giorgio Poi, born in Novara and based in Rome, studied jazz guitar at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama before forming the band Vadoinmessico and later Cairobi. Returning to Italy to write in Italian, he released his debut album Fa Niente in February 2017 via Bomba Dischi/Universal, earning critical acclaim. In March 2019, he released his second album Smog, which he describes as a "first second album" made at home. The album's illustrations, including the cover featuring smoking men, were drawn by Poi himself, who claims no technical drawing ability. The cover drawing was created before the album title or songs, reversing the typical process. Poi's Smog Tour included dates at Spring Attitude Festival in Rome (October 11), Officine Cantelmo in Lecce (November 1), Teatro Toniolo in Mestre (November 7), Hiroshima Mon Amour in Turin (November 8), Viper in Florence (November 16), and Linecheck in Milan (November 22). On October 10, 2019, he released the single "Erica cuore ad elica," shared on Instagram by Lorenzo Jovanotti. Poi collaborated with Frah Quintale on "Missili," Carl Brave on "Camel Blu," and Luca Carboni on "Prima di partire." In 2018, he performed at Eurosonic and opened for Phoenix in Milan, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles. Poi views technical imperfection in drawing and music as a source of surprise and authenticity.