Interview: Lime Juice

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

A: For me it was the first time I saw John Frusciante playing live with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. It really changed the way I listen to music. If that day never happened I’d probably be an actor or something related to TV (voice actor, sports commentator)

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

A: I love to chill playing video games, having a walk in the neighborhood while listening to some music. It alway keep my mind busy and my creative side is always active

How long has your band been around?

A: Lime Juice was born in 2018, but I have to say that since Cristina joined the band in 2019 things really changed for us

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

K: We formed in Rome. Growing up, as much as Rome is a capital, we didn’t have as many big rock artists playing in the city, so I guess that finally seeing them around made of great, memorable experiences. They looked like they were from another world, and their songs stuck in our heads!

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

A: We were looking for something psychedelic, then we thought about one of our favourite artists of all time, Syd Barrett, and Pink Floyd’s song, Astronomy Domine, which goes by “lime and limpid green…”. We thought “That’s it, that’s a psychedelic colour”

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

D: Certain shows you remember for how good they were, for your audience and for your heart - such as when we presented the video for our previous single “Malibu”, or when we played in Corviale in the suburbs of Rome, for an initiative to spread music and arts in urban peripheries. Others you remember them because, how do they say, you win or you learn!

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

L: The clubs where you can party and play till late! we are so fond of England and we would love to come and play there, and why not, maybe at Brighton beach, at the pier at sunset, like (or even with) Fatboy Slim

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

A: For sure King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard, The Strokes, Paul McCartney, John Frusciante, Syd Barrett… Gosh I could go on forever!

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

D: I’m not sure we make the best of role models for how to be in a band! But sometimes, even when things get a little rough, just remember to keep playing. When you think you want to give up, that’s the moment when you need to meet up and play more. The best thing about being in a band is that you don’t play alone, in good or bad times.

If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?

L: [on the phone, with Nonagon Infinity in the background] Luca! Luca, it's Marvin. Your cousin, Marvin Berry. You know that new sound you're looking for? Well, listen to this!

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

A: I’d say Prince, for sure. It is a very intimate song that talks about personal and always relevant topics such as mental health issues and therapy. It is also one of our most elaborated song we’ve ever written.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

K: Definitely Prince! But on the beach, around a fire… Do you have crisps in a tube in the UK? You can make the metallic voice out of one of those!

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

L: We would describe our creative process with one word: Pollockian! The rehearsal room is our canvas and Alessandro pours the first layer of paint sketching out a guitar riff; then we all pull down the other layers together until we create our painting. That's how “Prince” came about.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

L: Be yourself! Express yourself! Don't be afraid to bring out what's inside you!

Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?

L: Like all happy marriages we have gone through a lot of ups and downs; but a healthy fistfight puts everything in order (I'm just joking, more or less); really, I think that playing music together can fix every issue!

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

L: We would like to release lots of new tracks! And we plan to tell a story in which each track represents a small piece of the whole narrative. We hope we piqued your curiosity a little.

Alessandro: Guitar/Voice

Danz: Bass/back vocals

K: Keyboards/synth

Luca: Drums