THE NIRO
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INDIE MUSIC WE USUALLY THINK OF WEIRD TUFTS OF HAIR (WHY? AND HOW IS THIS GUY DIFFERENT? PROBABLY BEST TO DESCRIBE THE NORMAL BEATS, SOUNDS OF THE MUSIC WHICH THE NIRO DOESN’T COMPLY WITH). BUT THERE’S ONE GUY WHO REPRESENTS INDIE MUSIC IN HIS OWN WAY. SHOWING A TENSION AND A STRENGTH, HIS TRACKS ARE WORKS OF ART DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THIS POPULAR AND POLLUTED GENRE.
Italian-born Davide Combusti grew up surrounded by music before starting up his own band, The Niro, from 2002. Currently considered one of the best young songwriters in Italy, he is beginning to establish a name for himself on British shores.
Son to a famous drummer from some important Italian rock bands during the 1970s (I Ribelli, I Centauri, La somma), he cultivated his interest for music playing the same instrument before taking his hand to the guitar and bass.
He took to the stage as a drummer, when he decided to write music and lyrics for his own band: The Niro. When they split up he kept the name and continued his solo career as songwriter. In 2008 his first EP, An Ordinary Man was released by Universal. Its five songs were also part of the 13 track album: The Niro.
He has played in New York, LA and Paris and last October, he performed a whistle stop tour around the UK with LiveZone and Track1. Having previously opened for the Zephyrs, Isobel Campbell and TKO and contributed to the Belle and Sebastian’s tribute album with his version of I fought in a War, his biggest British performance was his recent London gig last winter.
On 22 October 2009, The Gramaphone in Commercial Street filled with ‘Indie’ types, eager to listen to something new. Guys chatting on black leather sofas sat awaiting the new beats and sounds that will change the genre for the coming year, as drums and guitars are set up on stage.
The Niro – wearing jeans, black t-shirt and a bowler – jumped on it.
He played songs from his debut with great precision and heart and his performance reflected his discrete and private manner, steering clear of shouting rock bands. Saying only a few polite ‘thanks’ during the set, he’s clearly one of those who prefer communicating through their music and avoid wasting too many words about it.
His style of singing seems to be influenced by Jeff Buckley’s high notes and falsetto reverberations, while his music offers a wide range of emotions: from happiness to melancholy, from rage to serenity. Classic arpeggios suddenly turn into aggressive progressions while tempo and rhythm changes often surprise the audience.
Bass guitar and drums are perfectly synchronized and form a complex carpet on which the artist is completely free to express himself. Years of lessons from his father have paid off and the consensus amongst the now-standing audience was clear: The Niro machine works amazingly well.
The performance quickly left behind something difficult to explain: an uneasiness or sadness that resonated through his lyrics and between each note.
Worlds away from the usual Europop dance tunes of Eiffel 65 that normally filters through from Italy’s music scene, The Niro’s songs are full of content and heart. So much so, that for the first time, the whole world is listening to The Niro to change Indie music to change for the better, and it’s safe to say, we’re eager for more.
Words Luca Russo
