Present and active in the Italian independent rock music scene for a long time, Arabel have just released "Justice", their first EP of covers, with which they want to talk to the world about the importance of music in the fight against all kinds of racism and hatred. In this short interview, they tell us how the songs they have chosen clearly define who they are and where they want to go.
Who are you and how was the musical project Arabel born?
We are a band from the province of Cuneo. The core of the band, composed by Maurizio Bodrero and Fabio Berardo (vocals and guitar), has been active since 2003, first under the name of Window Shop for Love and then with the current moniker. Arabel is a project born with our "artistic maturity", from the change of method of writing our original songs, with the passage from English to Italian.
How was "Justice", your latest EP, born?
The EP was produced entirely in our small home studios, between Turin, Saluzzo, and Brussels, involving old and new friends in an extended and unpublished line-up, with the precious help of Luca Basano for the mix and master.
The release of Justice on Spotify and other digital platforms via iMusician is accompanied by the release of the video clip of "The Harder They Come", made by Andrea Leonessa, a video-artist of exceptional talent.
Why did you choose to record an EP of covers in 2020, even though you almost exclusively perform self-written songs?
Simple: in a very difficult year for us and for all musicians, in which the pandemic has further exasperated and accelerated conflicts and inequalities around the world we wanted to focus on rediscovering our musical roots. So we chose to interpret 3 great songs and 3 great artists that we love and admire precisely for their need for justice: from this Justice was born, which contains our versions of "The Harder They Come" by Jimmy Cliff, "Know Your Rights" by The Clash, and "Man in Black" by Johnny Cash.
The commitment against racism and hatred for minorities and the poor also passes through the songs that have marked our personal, ethical, and moral formation. Songs that define who we are and to which artistic model we aspire.
What are your plans for 2021?
Obviously we're looking forward to getting back to in-person rehearsals and "normalcy," producing new in-person records, and sharing our stories with audiences in live shows. In the meantime, we hope to convey to the widest possible audience the urgency we feel: tough times also call for music that is engaged, outspoken, and authentic. Music that inspires us to better ourselves as people and as artists.
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