Interview with Edo Ferragamo

YO & JOYCE @ MIU VERMILLION (for VGXW MAGAZINE): Whenever people hear (or, in this case read) your full name for the first time, most of them cannot help but wonder if you are related to Salvatore Ferragamo, the inventive Italian shoe designer and the founder of the world-famous luxury goods company. To what degree does your family background define who you are both as a person and as someone who pursues a career in the music industry?

EDO FERRAGAMO: Salvatore was my grandfather, and even though I never met him, all the stories about him and what he was like, makes me feel like I have. My grandfather and my family have been a big inspiration for me as a person. My family has been very supportive of my career. It did take some time to prove to them that I am very driven, hardworking, and talented; but once that happened, they became my biggest supporters. Growing up as a Ferragamo taught me what it means to value the family, and what it means to work hard, with attention to details, to achieve your goals.

VGXW MAGAZINE: Are there times when your surname gets in the way?

EDO FERRAGAMO: Definitely. It has its advantages and disadvantages, but as an artist I try to create my own path and my own name, even though I never want to shy away from who I am and where I grew up.

VGXW MAGAZINE: Just like your grandfather, you moved to Boston at a young age. He moved to Boston to pursue his dream in the footwear industry, and you moved to Boston to pursue your dream in the music industry. Why Boston? And how was your first few months in the U.S. like?

EDO FERRAGAMO: Boston is a very nice city! Of course not as fun or exciting as NYC or LA, where I spend most of my time now, but it’s the perfect place to study hard. The reason why I went there initially is because I attended Berklee College of Music, which was my dream university to study at. After getting accepted I was very happy to move there! My first month in the U.S. was actually really fun. I was sharing a dorm bedroom with two other guys, and had to get used to community bathrooms at school. Not the most comfortable lifestyle, but I’m someone that can adapt easily! Not the most comfortable lifestyle, but I’m someone that can adapt easily! In general, I like challenges very much, and I was there to study and learn as much as I could, so having a luxurious space was definitely not in my priorities. Also U.S. colleges are very expensive and I didn’t want my parents to spend more on me than they were already doing by sending me there. Anyways, it was also really great because I didn’t know a single person in the beginning. I began to make new friends and I tried to play music with everyone I could. I quickly realized that there was so much talents around me, my dad always told me “go with who’s better than you and buy him dinner.” Meaning there is always someone better than you at your talent or skill and you can always learn from them.

VGXW MAGAZINE: Let’s talk about music. How did it all begin?

EDO FERRAGAMO: I started playing guitar at the age of 12. I watched the movie “School of Rock” with Jack Black, and vividly remember watching the scene with him showing the electric guitar to the school kids. I remember I was fascinated with the sound of the electric guitar in the film, so I immediately went down to the basement where my mom had an old classical guitar and started messing around with it. Shortly after that I took my very first guitar lesson and immediately fell in love with it. By the time I was 15 or 16 I knew that music was going to be the most important thing in my life and that I was dedicated to it whole heartedly! The thing that I love the most about music is being able to create something that never existed before, being in touch with my feelings through sounds, grooves and melodies and being able to perform the songs that I create for other people to make them feel good!

VGXW MAGAZINE: Many people dream of becoming a musician, but after spending several months learning the fundamentals and realizing that it will take them a very long time before they can play any song the like, they give up. What kept you going when things became difficult and repetitive?

EDO FERRAGAMO: Being a musician and learning how to play any instruments and understanding all that’s around it has so many ups and downs. I think for me, what kept me going, and still does, is that I never let anyone or anything interfere with my dreams. I love to dream. I imagine in my head how it feels to hear my guitar at the MSG or O2 Arena. However, being a serious musician is not for everybody. You have to be a little crazy to do it as your main thing. You have to dedicate your life to your art and make it a priority over everything else (going out, partying, significant others, etc). It is a big sacrifice, but if you love it, then it’s worth it!

VGXW MAGAZINE: Do you remember your first live gig? How was it like?

EDO FERRAGAMO: Hahaha. Yes of course! It was more or less terrible. I think I was 14 when I formed my band that did rock covers. We played at a “Limoncello Party” and did not do that well. I remember the sound engineer was an old man who was sleeping on the side of the stage. He could care less about a couple of kids. Hahaha.

VGXW MAGAZINE: What genre of music do you listen on a daily basis?

EDO FERRAGAMO: Really many genres from top 40 pop, hip hop, funk, fusion, rock, classical, deep house, etc.

VGXW MAGAZINE: Let’s talk about your upcoming single ‘Common People’?

EDO FERRAGAMO: ‘Common People’ is a very uplifting up to date pop sound with urban influence and a lot of organic sounds. I wrote ‘Common People’ with Cayenne Noluck who’s also singing and rapping in the song. The inspiration for the song started by laying down some ideas, mainly acoustic guitars and grooves. I played the music to Cayenne and that inspired the words. ‘Common People’ is an uplifting song that talks about humanity, with all that is happening in the world right now. I wish for this song to give some positive energy to those who listen to it.

VGXW MAGAZINE: you mentioned that you are a foodie. What would you recommend to someone who plans to visit NYC and Florence?

EDO FERRAGAMO: Yes! I have to say I pay attention to what I eat and try to be as healthy as possible. I enjoy working out 5 or 6 times a week. But who doesn’t love good food?? NYC is great because you can find all kinds of restaurants. Some of my favorites are Bar Pitti, MAMO, Bondst, 10 Corso Como at the seaport, Cafe’ Select, Coco Pazzo, Beatrice Inn, Mr.Chow, Peter Luger. In Florence it’s difficult to go wrong! There are so many affordable great places. Any typical Tuscan Trattoria is great!

VGXW MAGAZINE: If you don’t mind, would you tell us one surprising fact about yourself?

EDO FERRAGAMO: I am a hopeless romantic …

VGXW MAGAZINE: In Summer 2013, you began a world tour with Andrea Bocelli, starting from Budapest, Verona, then various cities in the United States. Would you share one of the most memorable experiences during the tour?

EDO FERRAGAMO: The best thing is that we began a real friendship. The Bocellis are all really amazing and kind people (other than being super talented.) Andrea is one of my favorite artists of all time, and also his son Matteo is becoming a superstar. He has such a fantastic voice, and Amos is a superb pianist! Also all the charity work that they do for their foundation is remarkable …

VGXW MAGAZINE: Before you toured with Andrea Bocelli, you performed in Bulgaria with your first band “The Legshaker”. You also performed in Hong Kong, NYC, and Italy with “The Fresh Mob” the band you formed while you were a student at Berklee College of Music. Would you us about your first concert abroad.

EDO FERRAGAMO: I think I was 16 when I went to Sofia for the first time (to perform at the Sofia Live Club – Bulgaria.) It happened that the concert was streamed on national television and they called us to do an interview the morning after. To be honest, I met the owner of the club a year before in Italy, and for the following year I busted his a** to invite us to perform. A lot of persistence, but it paid off in the end because they called us back for 3 years in a row. It was so much fun!

VGXW MAGAZINE: What – in a few years time – would you like to be known for?

EDO FERRAGAMO: I would like for my music to reach as many people as possible and to be able to play large shows. I also want to be know as someone that does this because he loves it more than anything. I like to give uplifting vibes to listeners! It’s a constant journey and I’m just at the beginning…

VGXW MAGAZINE: What advice would you give to someone who would like to pursue a career in music?

EDO FERRAGAMO: Do it for the love of music first! It’s an amazing way to express yourself and to collaborate with people, build friendship and relationships. Never give up. There will always be difficult moments, but hard work pays off and if you are good at it and determined, at some point you will be heard!