Tom Izzi: "I don't rush for achievement, but I want people to connect with my album"

The artist, musician, producer and composer tells us everything exclusively for the Ederkind Music website, days before the release of his debut album. Shows, concepts that shaped the album, TRT and more.

• What inspired you to make your new album? T.I: Eridan Interna is an album that does not remain with a single concept encompassed and retaken in each song, but it goes through several themes, thoughts and situations that surrounded me. At the same time, it touches directly on what it is intended to say and transmit, but not in a completely literal way, nor in an ultra-allegorical way. It talks about many things. Personal situations, thoughts on the current global and national situation, a lot of criticism of many things that are happening this days, and also speaks a little from the start of those things. Is also an exit to the daily worries and a great search of the human sense of oneself. It is a record to listen to and appropriate it with what you see, feel and believe. That way you can feel close (or not) to your thoughts.
  

• When are you going to release the album? Is it already done? T.I: It is estimated that it will see the light around the second or third week of December. I sincerely hope that it comes out as early as possible, because it is very difficult for the musician to wait for something that you have been creating with so much work, dedication. I hope the digital stores take it fast. Eridan is at this moment (23/11) finished in a 90%. The remaining 10% are just small details to close, not only the recording, but the marketing move, concerts and some arrangements in the latest issues.
  

• Is there a central topic on the album? T.I: I don't think there's a central topic on the album, no. If you ask about an important song, even if it wasn't the idea, Los Astros is already an emblem. It's amazing to think that with such a premature solo career, there is already people saying "Ah, you're the one from Los Astros" and things like that. It's a song I love, that was very well received and that got good reviews. It's logical that, because is my first single (and the foundational stone that formed what is my solo music today) it will be obviously seen as THE song to listen, but I think the whole album is full of relevant compositions. They can take whatever they want, for sure.
  

• What do you think are your biggest concerns right now? T.I: I see that many (and I include myself) are worried about the weak and undemocratic political systems that are governing lots of countries today. We are entering a difficult stage, with a rise of the conservative parties, extreme right-wing groups with racist and xenophobic sectors that begin to lose their fear to regain power. I think that is leading society to a harder and confrontational struggle for their rights and freedoms, but also to a negativity and pessimism that has been increasing for decades. On a national level, it hits me a lot how those in the big chair are desperately seeking to squeeze, to violate and provoke those below them, who feel that as a suffocation technique.
  

• Do you think of the current situation in your country, inspired you in the music? T.I: No doubts. He contributed a lot in the way of thinking the songs, their content, their lyrics. There's a lot of message on everything on the album and in the songs. You'll have to listen to it well, work it out. It has allegories, but they are not impossible, they really give it a nice taste to find them.
  

• Do you consider yourself a political person? T.I: As well! We all are, it just depends on how you are going to take that, if you are going to use it, or if you are going to hide and deny it. Politics are super important for me, as a citizen, as a person and as an artist. I'm in an ideal position as an artist: I get on stage and I throw what I think we have to fight for, while at the same time I'm also someone who can fight for his own convictions. When an artist grows into a pseudo-deity, people look at you differently, as if you can not take sides, because they are there for everyone, and many do not want to risk that. Who has a stage in front, who has an image and who has a song, has power (a lot of power) to be able to change the problematics surrounding you. Do you think that Charly (about Charly García, Argentine rockstar with a lot of political presence) did not achieve anything with his lyrics?
  

• What should we expect from your TRT side? T.I: Some people asked me if I can take the two projects at the same time, or if I "left the band aside". The truth is we all take a little break because TRT means working a lot. The guys were busy with their lives, exams and stuff and I took advantage of my moments to do my thing. It's like a house of 5 brothers. You spend every day with them, share everything but you have 5 minutes for yourself and you just want to hear a Miles Davis record and make your own songs. We were recording the new EP (or disc? It's hard to know it since a disc has a maximum of 8 songs) and we stopped for the above reasons. We are going to give some shows in December and during the summer. Then we will continue recording and polishing the result to be able to release the first single around mid-March.
  

• And from your solo side? T.I: I am currently happy thinking about releasing the album and a double surprise for Christmas. My solo plansin the near future are visit radios, share the album, take it everywhere and make people take it and keep it. I´m not crazy thinking that it will be even under my bed, because we all know that is the first record, the beginning of something. I don't rush for achievement, but I want people to connect with my album. I'm going to give my 110% to make the album travel far away from Buenos Aires and the surrounding area, because I feel that the record needs to connect with people in Mendoza, Tierra del Fuego and Misiones. And if it´s possible to take it to another country, it would be amazing.
  

• Where are we going to listen / get it? T.I: Eridan Interna will be available in all the digital stores, download format and YouTube. The physical format will have 3 versions (catch `em all) and will be able in EDERKIND MUSICA´s new web store, MercadoLibre and Ebay (international shipments) and even in Mercurio record store (Patio del Liceo Gallery, Av. Santa Fe 2729, Federal Capital).
  

• You are a full-time artist, are there any other future projects? T.I: Should I have to say it now? (Laughs) There are always new ideas and there are projects yea, but I have no hurry to start with something new for now. I think that TRT and my solo career are what I need now, those are my spaces to talk and give a message. Maybe I'll go back into the world of music and artistic production with other artists, compose OST's for some short film or take up some old project. But you never know, they are things that are given when they are needed. I really feel more comfortable in the way I am now and I want to enjoy it without thinking "ok, what is the next blow".