Tommaso Cappellato // The Eisenberg Review Interview
In a world where genres are often left to fragment and recombine, Tommaso Cappellato has emerged as a figure whose musical output defies easy categorization. As the founder of Domanda Music, a label rooted in the exploration of boundary-pushing sounds, Cappellato has quietly yet decisively staked his claim as a linchpin in the evolving landscape of contemporary experimental music. With a catalogue that boasts releases from Italian jazz stalwarts like Rosa Brunello, and his own contributions as a solo artist, his work exists at the intersection of jazz, electronic experimentation, and the textures of modern improvisation.
Cappellato’s latest album, Anti-planeting, signals a major step in his solo journey. The album is a textured mosaic, pulling from a myriad of influences, yet unmistakably his own. It’s a record that eschews conventional structures, offering a captivating invitation into his process. This spirit of musical innovation is further exemplified by his work with Collettivo Immaginario, a band whose infectious energy and deep, funk-infused grooves provide a captivating foundation for their dynamic live shows. The collective’s sound pulses with an urgency that invites movement and demands attention — a testament to their shared vision of pushing the boundaries of jazz into new, thrilling directions.
In our conversation, Cappellato reflects on the formation of Domanda Music, the label’s ethos, and the compelling collaborations with Rosa Brunello that have defined much of its early output. He delves into his artistic journey, discussing his evolving approach to both solo work and collaborative projects, and underscoring the importance of narrative as a critical shaping component of an artist’s work and creative process. For those attuned to the ways music both shapes and reflects culture, Cappellato is a figure worth paying attention to, whether as a producer, performer, or the quiet visionary behind a burgeoning movement.