Founded in 2013 by composer Simon Hanes, New York-based large ensemble Tredici Bacci has embarked on a remarkable journey of musical exploration over the past decade. Known for their outrageous, joyous, silly, and cinematic music, the band has consistently delivered a unique and captivating experience for audiences.
For the first decade of their practice, Tredici Bacci primarily focused on playing Italian soundtrack-inspired large ensemble pieces. This unique blend of genres and traditions provided a rich tapestry of sound, allowing the band to weave together elements of classical, avant-garde, and popular music. This musical fusion set them apart from their peers and garnered a dedicated following of fans.
With ten years under their belt, Tredici Bacci is embarking on a new era of artistic exploration. The band is now pushing the boundaries of their creativity, embracing even more wildness, absurdity, and vulnerability in their music. Their upcoming album, "Brave New World," serves as a prime example of this new direction.
Throughout their journey, they have retained a strong sense of community. The band has stuck together through thick and thin, weathering the storms and challenging moments that come with being part of a creative collective. This bond has not only fostered a deep sense of camaraderie among its members but also resulted in an exceptional and cohesive musical identity.
The merry group is joining us today for an exclusive interview. They’re sharing all the details about their albums, musical influences, and everything in between! Let’s see what they have in store for us.
TML: Hello! Thank you for sharing a bit of your time with us! How are you doing today?
Simon: OH MY GOD! The pleasure is ours. Sami, how are we doing today?
Sami: We just shared a great sandwich so we are doing A OK, thanks for asking.
Simon: It was delicious.
TML: What can you tell us about the faces behind Tredici Bacci?
Sami: Do you mean the men in the shadows sneaking up on us with a knife?
Simon: Or do you mean the secret Illuminati that financially supports all of our work in return for us brainwashing our impressionable hipster audience to accept their doctrine?
Anyway - Tredici Bacci is comprised of somewhere between 8 & 25 of Brooklyn’s sexiest, most talented, kind-hearted musicians. It’s a rotating cast of characters these days, but the majority of them are all graduates of the same school where Sami and I met… Trump University. JK LOL I mean New England Conservatory of Music.
TML: What's the story behind the name of the band?
Simon: It's basically Italian for “The 13 Kisses.” The thing is, I couldn’t speak Italian when I started the band in 2013. I also can’t speak Italian now.
Sami: So the name is misspelled. It should be “Baci” with one “C”, but Simon put “Bacci” just for a little extra sparkle.
Simon: And what makes that fun is that the way we spelled it, Italians can’t pronounce it.
TML: What artists influence the state of your music?
Simon: The state of MY music is New York, so mostly Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Biggie Smalls, and Keith Haring.
Sami: Perfect response Simon, great job.
Simon: Thanks Sami, I tried really hard. Actually, let me try again. The state of MY music… is a state of constant wonder at the beauty of the world that surrounds us. God is all around us, inside every human being… and that is why I have to be clear about the fact that life begins at conception. LOL JK! But seriously - I’ve really been inspired throughout my life by the work of composers such as Igor Stravinsky, Frank Zappa, Burt Bacharach, Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, Tim Smith, and Olivier Messiaen, just to name a few. In a more immediate sense, I am super inspired by the musicians and bands that surround us here in NYC. There's a lot of badass shit going on! And even more immediately, I am very inspired by the work of Sami Stevens.
Sami: Awwwwwww that’s nice thank you, Simon. For my part in TB, I’m mostly thinking "What if Dionne Warwick had a personality disorder?" Kind of exploring the spectrum between calm and chaos with that musical time and space in mind.
Simon: Deep.
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TML: Can you share your sources of inspiration besides people, such as literature, film, and other forms of art? How do they influence your work and creativity?
Simon: I’ve been very, VERY, VERYYYYYYYYYYY inspired by film over the years. #1 is the theme from Hey Arnold. But seriously, for this album in particular - the work of author, poet playwright, and creator of pataphysics Alfred Jarry. Also, Flann O’Brien, histories of the Jewish Mob in NY, Gargantua, and Pantagruel, and a bunch of other wacky surrealist writing.
Also, the work of Alberto Savinio, whose painting graces the cover of the album, has been a huge influence. That dude is a badass through and through. In terms of film… lots of Hammer Horror, lots of 70s porn from France, lots of Film Noir, and the original 1970s Star Wars trilogy.
Sami: And I sing.
TML: You have many years with each other producing music, going to venues, and playing live shows. How is your experience working together?
Simon: We’re barely hanging on.
Sami: It’s funny because it’s true. But we have fun. It’s a silly band made up of silly people. Help us though, please send help.
TML: Let's discuss your latest endeavor "Brave New World." What was the creative process behind it?
Simon: So basically, here’s the creative process. I write all the music for the band. And then, I make everyone else play it. They agree, begrudgingly, usually because I’ve plied them with light beer.
Sami: I remember when you sent out Brave New World I was pissed, and we all talked about it at rehearsal like; “fuck Simon for sending out this song”. That shit is so hard to sing!
Simon: Really? Everyone was saying negative things about me at rehearsal?
Sami: Oh no here he goes…
Simon: I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
TML: What sets "The Future is Forever," the featured single, apart from others and makes it such a standout track?
Sami: It’s the song that makes me cringe the hardest.
Simon: Yeah… it's basically the worst song on the album, which is why we wanted to get it out into the world and just move on with our lives. But also, it's fun! When I wrote it, I was basically trying to capture the spirit of “We Are The World” but from the perspective of a bunch of cynical aging millennials as they gaze out onto an ever-burning cultural landscape. We’re thinking of changing the chorus from “We Are The Future” to “We’re In Our Thirties”.
TML: What is next on the horizon for Tredici Bacci? Are you already working on your next project?
Simon: Tour! Tour Tour Tour!!!!
Sami: Tour! Touuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Simon: Torah! Torah! L’chaim!
Sami: Hava nagila!
Simon: We’re going on tour.
Sami: And releasing an album.
Simon: In March! We’re playing in: Athens GA, Nashville TN, Knoxville TN (Big Ears Festival!), Atlanta GA, Columbia SC, Asheville NC, Richmond VA, Baltimore, and Philly! And then a big old album release party in NY on 3/31. https://wl.seetickets.us/event/tredici-bacci-jazz-lambaux-narcotix-samuel-boat/589817?afflky=TVEye
TML: That's all the time we have for today. Thank you again for joining us! Would you like to add anything else? Any famous last words?
Simon: 9/11 was an inside job! JK LOL
Sami: Come a little earlier next time and you can have some of our sandwiches.
