Valerio Quirini

Words by Justin Ruiz

In the heart of Rome, where ancient history meets modern innovation, resides Valerio—a visionary composer and producer. Valerio blends the raw energy of rock with the precision of electronic music, crafting unique and evocative soundscapes. His journey began with his first guitar at eleven and his first compositions at thirteen, setting the stage for a lifelong dedication to music.

Fascinated by the technical aspects of movie scores, Valerio’s passion lies in creating subliminal musical narratives. His relentless pursuit of artistic excellence, from making music for animation reels to collaborating with a local Luthier company in Rome, is a testament to his innovative spirit. Knowing Valerio is understanding his deep love for music and technology, and his unwavering commitment to pushing creative boundaries.

BEGINNINGS

Valerio’s musical journey began in the culturally rich backdrop of Rome, where he was surrounded by art and history. At the age of eleven, he received his first guitar, marking the beginning of his deep connection with music. By thirteen, he was already composing his own pieces, driven by a relentless desire to improve his skills and express his unique voice. His early years were heavily influenced by metal music, a genre that continues to be a significant part of his stylistic identity today.

A pivotal moment in Valerio’s development came during his teenage years when his perspective on movies shifted dramatically. He began to study films meticulously, paying close attention to the scenes that captivated him the most. This analytical approach led him to appreciate the subliminal power of movie scores, where music becomes an integral, yet often unnoticed, part of the narrative. His passion for this intricate blend of sound and story propelled him into the world of film music.

I started watching movies differently, studying them, and writing down the scenes that stunned me the most. My attention turned to the technicality of movie score composition, which led to an irrepressible passion towards those movies where music is kind of a subliminal message, an integral part of a narrative that we don’t actively but deeply and unconsciously feel as part of what we’re experiencing.

Valerio’s journey was not without its challenges. He describes the process of finding his artistic identity and style as painful and exhausting, yet ultimately fulfilling. It was during this period that he began creating music for animation reels, a breakthrough that solidified his confidence in his ability to compose meaningful music for visual media. This accomplishment, along with his collaboration with a local Luthier guitar and bass company in Rome, marked significant milestones in his career, affirming his place in the music world.

Creating is dichotomic to me. It’s both painful and soothing at the same time. I need a lot of time to do it, but in the end, sacrificing even my free time to do it is like taking care of myself.

Valerio’s philosophy towards creation is one of embracing the present moment and allowing his creativity to flow naturally. He believes in transcending the boundaries of what is and what could be by staying true to his artistic vision. His dedication to music is unwavering, and he finds solace in the creative process, even when it demands great sacrifices. In recognizing his dedication, Valerio pays homage to those that have influenced him.

INFLUENCE THY NAME IS

Valerio’s music is a tapestry woven from a diverse array of influences, each thread contributing to the rich and complex soundscapes he creates. His primary influence in metal production comes from bands like Deftones, Vildhjarta, Loathe, and Zeal & Ardor. These bands have shaped his approach to heavy rock, instilling a deep appreciation for powerful, emotionally charged music.

In the realm of orchestral and synth composition, Valerio’s inspirations are equally varied and profound. He grew up listening to the evocative soundtracks of Ryuichi Sakamoto, Danny Elfman, and Bernard Herrmann. These composers opened his eyes to the potential of music to enhance and transform visual media, teaching him the subtle art of crafting scores that act as subliminal messages, deeply felt yet often unnoticed.

Valerio’s creative identity was significantly influenced by visionary directors such as David Lynch, Charlie Kaufman, and Yorgos Lanthimos. These filmmakers’ unconventional narratives and unique styles resonated with him, encouraging him to explore the deeper, often darker aspects of human emotion and experience in his own work. Valerio is particularly drawn to David Lynch’s approach to creation, finding comfort and inspiration in Lynch’s handling of impostor syndrome and insecurities. Lynch’s ability to shine a light on creative processes and uncertainties has helped Valerio embrace and infuse his art with his own uncertainties, turning them into strengths.

I like to infuse my art with all that uncertainty. To me, Lynch is one of those artists who shines a light on every creative person.

This pursuit of inspiration is an ongoing journey. He constantly searches for interviews and insights from directors and artists he admires, allowing their experiences and philosophies to inform his own work. This relentless quest for knowledge and understanding fuels his creativity, enabling him to continuously evolve as an artist.

The influences that shape Valerio’s music are not limited to specific genres or artists. He is inspired by feelings of loss, self-recognition, and nostalgia, and strives to reflect these dichotomic emotions in his compositions. By doing so, he helps listeners discover new shades of their own personalities, creating a deeply personal and transformative musical experience, which has found its way into his process and how he thinks of creativity on the whole.

CREATIVITY AND PROCESS

Creativity is so relative and subjective, yet it seems to be something we can all tap into at any time. I’m always fascinated by the juxtaposition of these two things; how two people could have the same inputs of influence, history, context and would give different outputs is amazing to me.

For Valerio, his creative process is a blend of spontaneity and meticulous research, reflecting his dynamic approach to music production. When composing original pieces, he steps outside his comfort zone, experimenting with different instruments and genres to let the music come naturally. Often, he starts with a single note or drone, allowing the composition to evolve organically without forcing it into a predefined structure. This spontaneous flow is crucial to his artistic expression, enabling him to capture raw and authentic emotions in his music.

For commissioned projects, Valerio adopts a more structured approach. He begins by gathering references and conducting thorough research, immersing himself in hours of music that align with the project’s mood. This groundwork allows him to create synth or orchestral tracks that perfectly complement the project’s aesthetic, whether it’s a film, video game, or other visual media.

Valerio’s music is characterized by its emotional depth and complexity. He is drawn to themes of loss, self-recognition, and nostalgia, and his compositions often reflect these opposing emotions. He believes that music should help listeners explore new aspects of their own personalities, providing a journey of self-discovery through sound.

His creative process is constantly evolving, mirroring his personal growth and understanding of the world around him. Valerio doesn’t adhere to a rigid structure when creating music; instead, he allows his ideas to develop fluidly, responding to new experiences and insights. This flexibility is evident in his work, which is always fresh and innovative, never confined by past successes or expectations.

When I want to write something original, I forget my body’s and mind’s comfort zone and experiment. When starting a new project, I prefer spontaneous flow. Only 1% of the original idea actually comes to life, so I strive to express more.

Valerio’s projects are never truly finished in his eyes. He always feels the urge to start something new, driven by a desire to explore uncharted territories in music. He knows a project is complete only when he is ready to move on to the next one, a readiness that comes from continually exposing himself to new experiences, both in music and in life. He advises others feeling stuck to explore new music or activities, as letting go and moving on is another form of loving one’s work.

Valerio’s style is a reflection of his multifaceted influences and his relentless pursuit of originality. By embracing both the painful and soothing aspects of creation, he produces music that resonates on a profound emotional level, pushing the boundaries of traditional genres and offering listeners a deeply personal experience.

AI + MUSIC

AI in creative spaces is a hot topic in 2024. There’s a genuine fear of automation and the death of arts. For Valerio, he views AI as a powerful tool that can enhance, but never replace, the creative process. To him, AI serves as a means to finalize or decorate his work, providing new possibilities without overshadowing the human element of creation. He acknowledges that creating isn’t solely about experience or skill; it’s also about living, resting, and feeling. AI, in this context, offers a way to streamline certain aspects of production, allowing artists more time to engage with life and draw inspiration from it.

Valerio believes that AI is still in its embryonic phase, with many limitations and areas for improvement. However, he doesn’t see this as a devaluation of creativity. Instead, he views it as an opportunity to explore new methods and tools that can aid in the artistic process. For Valerio, the key is to embrace AI without hesitation, studying it and integrating it into his work where it proves useful.

Using AI doesn’t equate to creating from scratch, according to Valerio. Rather, it’s about using AI to enhance and refine existing ideas. He likens it to needing a better word for this kind of creation, where AI acts as a starting point and an improvement tool rather than the origin of a creative spark. This nuanced perspective allows him to leverage AI’s strengths while maintaining the integrity of his artistic vision.

Embrace the inevitable AI era by understanding it. Hesitation is the birthplace of discovery, and artists who accept this will find their place. Study it and integrate what’s useful to you.

Valerio’s pragmatic approach to AI is evident in his workflow. He uses AI to overcome creative blocks or to add unique elements to his music that might be difficult to achieve manually. This symbiotic relationship between human creativity and AI technology enables him to produce work that is both innovative and deeply personal. His mindset also positions him at the forefront of a new wave of music production, where technology and artistry coexist harmoniously.

NEUTONE

Valerio’s experience with Neutone AI exemplifies his forward-thinking approach to music production. For him, AI is not just a tool but a vast repository of knowledge that can be manipulated to create something uniquely personal. Neutone AI, in particular, has provided Valerio with opportunities to experiment and push the boundaries of his creativity.

One of the standout moments in his exploration of Neutone AI was when he used it to create a Bulgarian choir for one of his projects. The result was unexpected—a mix of digital artifacts, incorrect pitch-shifted notes, and repeated samples. Instead of seeing these as flaws, Valerio embraced them, finding satisfaction in the unfamiliarity and the new creative direction it inspired. This experience highlighted Neutone AI’s ability to produce sounds that, while not realistic, evoke a sense of the otherworldly, tapping into feelings of nostalgia and familiarity.

Valerio appreciates Neutone AI for its capacity to make sound unintelligible in intriguing ways. He values the element of surprise and the creative potential that arises from AI-generated imperfections. For Valerio, realism is not the goal; instead, he seeks to create auditory experiences that remind listeners of something recognizable yet elusive, much like a half-remembered dream.

I used Neutone AI to make a Bulgarian choir inside one of my projects. It was stunning. I was searching for an organic feeling and received something else, a mixture of digital artifacts, incorrect pitch-shifted notes, and repeated samples. But that only pushed me into something new, and it was very satisfying.

The integration of Neutone AI into his workflow has also allowed Valerio to challenge himself with new plugins and tools. He pushes these tools beyond their intended use, exploring their limits and deriving satisfaction from the results. This approach underscores his belief that even commercially developed plugins, often created for profit, can be transformed into valuable creative assets with the right mindset and technique.

Valerio’s use of Neutone AI reflects his broader philosophy of embracing new technologies while maintaining a personal touch. By incorporating AI into his music, he is able to expand his creative horizons and produce work that is both innovative and deeply resonant. His experience with Neutone AI demonstrates the potential of AI to enrich the creative process, offering artists new ways to explore and express their artistic vision.

TO MY FUTURE SELF

Looking ahead, Valerio is both excited and cautiously optimistic about the future of music production, especially with the ongoing advancements in AI technology. He acknowledges that AI will undoubtedly shape the industry, presenting new opportunities and challenges that artists will need to navigate. While the future is uncertain, Valerio believes it’s crucial for artists to recognize and manipulate these technological advancements to their advantage.

Currently, Valerio is immersed in a tangible project that aligns closely with his profession. He is eager to delve into more indie projects across movies, video games, and music, finding particular excitement in the evolving landscape of music technologies, synthesizers, and innovative ways of experiencing sound. His passion for these new technologies stems from their potential to create synesthetic experiences, where sound and sensation intertwine to produce something truly immersive.

Valerio’s forward-thinking approach is fueled by his belief in the power of continuous learning and adaptation. He sees each new technological development as an opportunity to expand his creative toolkit and explore uncharted territories in music. This mindset keeps him at the forefront of innovation, always ready to embrace the next big thing in the music industry.

Despite the rapid pace of technological change, Valerio remains grounded in his artistic vision. He views these advancements not as replacements for human creativity but as tools that can enhance and refine his work. This balanced perspective ensures that his music retains its emotional depth and authenticity, even as he incorporates cutting-edge technologies into his production process.

In the coming years, Valerio hopes to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in music, exploring new sounds and methods that challenge conventional norms. He envisions a future where artists can seamlessly blend traditional techniques with modern innovations, creating music that is both timeless and avant-garde. As he looks forward, Valerio remains committed to his artistic journey, eager to see where his explorations will take him next.

Valerio’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and innovation. From his early days in Rome, strumming his first guitar, to exploring the uncharted realms of AI in music, he has continually pushed the boundaries of his craft. His story is one of embracing challenges, finding beauty in the unexpected, and constantly evolving as an artist.

As Valerio looks to the future, his heart is filled with optimism and excitement. He sees a world of endless possibilities, where technology and creativity intertwine to produce sounds that move the soul. He can’t wait to create, to explore new horizons, and to share his music with the world. For Valerio, the journey is just beginning, and the best is yet to come.

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