From heartfelt lyrics to vibrant, martial soundscapes, Indigo shares his journey, inspirations, and what’s next in 2025.
Today we have the pleasure to have Indigo on Goathead for a special Q&A
GHR: Hey Indigo, nice to have you here. What inspired you to start writing music?
Indigo: Hey guys, great to be here. Looking back, there are a couple of landmark moments that explain why I got involved with music and songwriting. When I was 10, I happened to watch a segment of a Carlos Santana concert on TV. Soon after, I bought his album Shaman and listened to it repeatedly. Then, I started listening to blues music, which sparked my love for Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler. I remember wanting to be one of them.
But years later, when my mom gave me Bruce Springsteen’s Tunnel of Love album for my birthday, I realized I wanted to write songs as well. That album was a revelation. It confronted me with what I had known for a long time: something was brewing inside me that I needed to express through lyrics and melodies.
GHR: What are your influences?
Indigo: As mentioned, I began making music after listening obsessively to blues. Eric Clapton is the musician I love the most, and I firmly believe Muddy Waters was the greatest African-American bluesman. Over the years, I’ve played the music of Robert Johnson, Magic Sam, Son Seals, Willie Dixon, B.B. King, and white guitarists like John Mayall, Mark Knopfler, and Jeff Beck on repeat.
I struggle to pinpoint a single origin for my influences because I’m inspired by something different every day. I’ve gone through various phases—from swing to Americana, classic rock to country, Irish folk, 80s synthwave, and more. Recently, I’ve been immersed in indie-folk, particularly Australian songwriters like Harrison Storm, Ocie Elliott, and Hollow Coves. On the US side, I love Bleachers.
GHR: Can you tell us about your experience performing live at gigs?
Indigo: Performing is like having a conversation. My songs tell stories about my own and others’ experiences, so the performance starts with me reconnecting to why I wrote each song. I need to remember the feelings I had when I first wrote it, which helps me deliver it honestly.
I’ve performed both solo and with bands. Each has its challenges, but the ultimate goal remains the same: to tell stories in a way that’s convincing, grand, and evocative. One example is The Flower, a song about my niece. Before performing it, I picture her smile, and that image helps the song flow effortlessly. The times I didn’t do this were my worst performances of it.
GHR: What has been your most memorable moment?
Indigo: The concert I’m proudest of was a charity event in Florence, Italy, in 2012. We built it from scratch alongside UNICEF. It was a challenge to organize, but we made it happen, raising thousands of euros for Eritrean children. It took place at the iconic Auditorium Flog, and hundreds of people attended. It’s a night I’ll always cherish.
GHR: What gear do you use?
Indigo: I’m a Fender guy. For electric guitars, I use a Stratocaster or Telecaster. My acoustic collection includes Eko, Cort, Ibanez, Fender, and Martin guitars.
I also have a pedalboard with effects like the Clock Reverse pedal by Old Blood Noise Endeavors, which I used in Life on Mars for alien-like sounds, and the Q-Tron filter by EHX. Another favorite is the Analog Optical Filter by Sunwave, which helps create synth-like effects. These pedals are integral to my live looping performances, adding entertainment value and a unique touch.
GHR: How is your songwriting process structured?
Indigo: I don’t follow a specific process—it just happens. Sometimes I catch a melody while experimenting with my guitar, or an idea strikes me while riding the tube. I always carry a notebook and rely heavily on my phone’s recorder app to capture ideas on the go.
Lately, I’ve been writing lyrics independently of music, which gives me more creative freedom. It’s challenging but worth it. I’m learning to write lyrics first and then shape the music around them.
GHR: What motivates you to create music and address various themes through your songs?
Indigo: One of my biggest motivations is healing. Music has unique healing properties. Sad songs, in particular, are powerful because they’re honest and true. Writing about difficult experiences is a step toward healing, and sharing them helps listeners feel less alone.
GHR: Could you share some insights into your upcoming projects, what is to come for NightFall?
Indigo: My third single, NightFall, releases on December 13, 2024. In early 2025, I’ll release an indie-folk EP, which will feature The Flower, a cover of The Best by Tina Turner, and an acoustic version of NightFall.
I’m also working on songs that will explore indietronica and synthpop soundscapes, like my upcoming track SpaceTime, inspired by Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
GHR: Tell us about your upcoming single NightFall. What's the background of this story?
Indigo: I wrote NightFall about 10 years ago for my disco-pop band ShowTime, but the band broke up before we could release it. I’ve since revamped it.
The song captures the feeling of running free through nature at nightfall. It’s inspired by my runs along the river in Florence, Italy, where the sunset’s colors reflected in the water. It’s about the magic and inspiration I find in the stillness of the night.
GHR: What do you do outside music?
Indigo: I’m engaged to a wonderful partner, and we have two Italian greyhounds who keep us entertained. Outside of music, I’m passionate about electric guitars, cigars, the northern lights, and books—especially sailor stories and astrophysics.
Don't Forget To Follow INDIGO on Instagram and while preparing for the release of NightFall Listen To His Music On All Streaming Platforms
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