Words by Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of The C.I.P
Girls, fashion, fun and sun can be attributed to the music of Italian group The C.I.P. Consisting of Michele Scheveger and Simone Cavalli, their songs are like soundscapes to month long parties on a beach filled with beautiful people and hedonistic escapades.
Formed in 2013, the duo quickly caught the attention of the press with their radiant sound of 80s pop, nu-disco and electro, not to mention winning an MTV Music Award for Best New Generation Electro. After releasing their their debut LP Daydream in 2014 only in Italy, their first single “We’ll Set The World On Fire” helped to generate a buzz amongst an international audience. With Daydream out worldwide via Volcan Records, The C.I.P (now based between Sydney and Dublin) aren’t planning on stopping the party anytime soon. If anything, it’s just getting started.
Talk about the formation of The C.I.P.
Michele Scheveger – Me and Simone were sharing the same garage at the age of 19 and at that time we were playing in different bands.
As soon as we got to know each other we clicked instantly and it was only after one year that we gave birth to “The C.I.P”.
We both played in alternative / indie bands, so we were pretty enthusiastic to create a completely different band with a different concept! The idea of leaving our usual instruments and starting to play with “aka toys” and synths sounded really interesting.
We produced our first demos and we got to know Antonio Filippelli (manager at present) in Rome, where, together, we started to create a precise sound and mood.
What is the meaning of the name The C.I.P? What does it stand for?
Michele Scheveger – “The C.I.P” was originally just “cheap”, and as the word suggests, the idea was creating something really easy to handle and affordable for everyone. Then we added dots, creating “The C.I.P”, so now it has two pronunciations you can call us “cheap” like they do in Italy or if you live in the USA or in Australia/UK you will pronounce and spell the letters singularly…it’s a bit tricky but we liked how it sounded, we also think it’s quite easy to remember!
Your music definitely represents all things fun and sexy. How would you personally describe your sound?
Michele Scheveger – We think our sound is visionary but ordinary at the same time, it’s sexy but a bit exciting like a first date…it’s fun and amusing, but not tiring. People told us that our music is like a dessert or a refreshing and nice ice cream in the middle of the heat of the summer, something you couldn’t refuse…and that’s actually really flattering, we’re aware of that!
Since the release of your debut album ‘Daydream’, you two have garnished a lot of praises and nominations in Italy from the likes of MTV and more, as well as number 1 on the electro charts on iTunes. What was the recording process like with creating your first LP?
Michele Scheveger – We woke up every morning at 8, heading off to the studio where we spent more than 3 months with our manager and co-producer Antonio Filippelli. We had a blast but it was intense that’s for sure! We liked that cause we know each other really well and we get along, there’s always time for a prank and a funny game! That helps a lot when you have to spend long hours in studio everyday and your ears are bleeding (metaphorically speaking).
How did you connect with Antonio Filippelli of Volcan Records?
Michele Scheveger – I called him personally, I knew him from Vanilla Sky, a popular indie band he used to play in and which I have followed for a while when I was a bit younger. And he said yes! It sounds like a marriage proposal doesn’t it haha? Jokes apart, we got to know each other and we clicked instantly!
At the moment you two are located in different cities, Sydney and Dublin. What’s the current situation like with working on new music? I would imagine it’s a matter of sending tracks back and forth.
Michele Scheveger – By the way I just came back from Sydney and I’m still a bit jet lagged!
But basically It’s not that hard when you have the right equipment and you produce electronic music. Even if we’re often far away from home we’re still managing to go on with our creative process despite the distance. The tracks are separated yes, but then they get mixed and mastered properly when we’re back together in the studio. We prefer to be together while mixing / mastering because we always have different visions about sounds and volumes, (we consider that one of our strengths) but people can actually mix and master on their own even if they’re far away from home.
The country of Italy has a legacy of spawning so many excellent disco and pop tunes that emits sensuality and feeling? Would you attribute it to the strong passion that Italians seem to possess?
Michele Scheveger – Probably, I think Italians have a lot of passion and we feel the tradition (including the electro pop French tradition) on our shoulders. Honestly we always consider Sebastien Tellier on of the biggest masters in Europe but regarding Italy, we feel pretty proud to have recently shared the stage with artists like Planet Funk and The Bloody Beetroots, even if this last name is a bit heavier than us (in terms of music genres).
When listening to your music, the first things that come to mind are wild parties, beautiful people, fashion, sex and sun. When not working on music, what is a typical weekend like for the two of you?
Michele Scheveger – Exactly what you said! Haha.
We like to hang out and have parties but we also like cruising with our cars, going out for a romantic date and playing with our skateboards. I also surf and snowboard, which I find amazing! Simone is a bit more classy, he’s a pretty good football player but shhh, don’t say it loud!! it’s a secret, haha.
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