Massimo Terranova, or just “Nova” as you may know him is the intriguing individual behind the powerful and moving recent compilation by Ultimae Records, “Imaginary Friends”. Nova is a prominent DJ, promoter and music journalist in the UK. I had the opportunity to ask Nova a few questions about himself, his music, art and what inspires him the most in this world.
Thank you for taking the time with me here Massimo, First I’d like ask you a little about yourself, who you are, where you come from and what was your most profound music experience.
I'm Massimo Terranova, class '74 and I am a music junky based in London. I grew up in Rome, moved to a boring village by the sea on the east coast of Italy to finish my secondary school, moved back to Rome for university and relocated to London in the second half of the 90’s. I guess my most profound music experience didn’t occur yet but that would be a full orchestra with choir performing in my backyard Mozart’s requiem at bedtime.
Who have been your biggest musical influences?
I’ve been radio zapping since my tender age, then rock, pop, electronica and classical music in no particular order. In general I like music at 360 degrees so I listen to jazz and I love my dub/reggae, songwriters and world music too, with a side order of experimental music. I like music that aesthetically says something, I’m interested in what composers, producers, bands, musicians convey to my imagination and feelings with their musical creations no matter the genre.
When you were compiling ‘Imaginary Friends’, what was the story you were trying to tell to the listener?
That we may feel lonely at times but we are not as alone as we thought or at least that’s the way I feel it. I guess the listener should feel what the compiler is trying to tell, but it’s not always like that especially with ambient music, such an imaginative genre. So I just can hope that this compilation will make good company for listeners when they're alone or in special moments. Putting together this compilation has been a fairly long process, almost two years, choosing from a pool of over two hundred tracks and coordinating music with original pictures and my poetry. Ultimately I wanted to put out a compilation in which listeners don't have to fast-forward because I think Imaginary Friends is a highly palatable sonic journey from beginning to end with no filler tracks.
What is your favourite track off of the compilation?
I think each one of them is a story, a different experience as I see them like short stories or poems or short movies and I like them all, obviously. But if I have to pick one that would be Regenzeit II by Field Rotation, a perfect opener and great mood setter for the whole compilation.
What plans do you currently have to expand yourself on the composition side? If so, will it be a solo project, or will you be doing a joint effort with other artists; and with whom?
Unfortunately at the moment and for different reasons I don’t have any serious plan to produce music. This might change in the future who knows. But I can tell you that if it happens it will be, at least for the beginning, a collaborative project with one or more artists from the Ultimae roster.
Where do you draw inspiration from for your music?
Good question. As I said earlier I like all-around good music as long as it’s heartfelt for me to be collected and well produced to be played. For my listening pleasures I’m a big fan of BBC Radio 3, I listen to it a lot anytime of the day, presenters are very well prepared, knowledgeable and programs are never boring; this is what I call public service. In general I never get inspired from just one source really; I think that it comes from every aspect of life like riding my bicycle or going to the cinema to watch a decent movie. I also read a lot while listening to tons of music. Yes, I can say that literature is somehow a source of inspiration but not the only one.
Can we look forward to you playing a more specific role in programming compilation sets for Ultimae? Where would you like to take them musically?
I don’t know how specific but I always love to work with them, either compiling, to play at festivals or events or just to share a good laugh and quality time. They are good friends and really special people and on a more professional side they have a knack for discovering talents and producing milestones in contemporary ambient music.
We all look forward to hearing more from you, Thanks Massimo.
Links:
Nova
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Imaginary Friends
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