A year on from the release of their debut EP finds Adelaide band Donnarumma in a very different place with new single 'Alien'.
“In terms of the sound and what it was 12 months ago to what we're releasing now, I feel like we've jumped to such a different playing field of music,” frontman Louis Donnarumma says. “We feel as though we're now super rocky.”
Moving on from the acoustic work established on the 'Billy Billy' EP, Louis says the first record provided a vital stepping stone into their current sound that embraces an electric-rock aesthetic.
“Looking back I guess that EP was very much this weird experiment; we weren't hitting charts, but at the time we were really happy,” he says.
“It's very interesting to look back and reflect because I feel like as a band we learned a lot about music, who we are and how we work together; it's very interesting and definitely a good learning experience.”
The shift away from their roots has also been motivated by the addition of a second guitarist, Ben Finnis, turning the trio into a powerful quartet and giving Louis greater scope as a performer away from his instrument.
“Now with some songs I don't even have to play guitar, which is amazing because in our live set that's the most fun I get because I get to run around, jump off the stage and do stupid, semi-dangerous things. I get to do a bit of that and I also don't have to think about my guitar heaps, I can really think about vocals.
“Ben's a great musician, he's got such an awesome ear and he's able to pick things up. He provides a new element in terms of music he listens to and his own experience in music that he can provide in the songs.
“We can add two guitars to create really nice colours and textures, whereas before it was a bit limiting... It's good to know there's another guitarist there to cover my sh*tty playing,” he laughs.
On the new single 'Alien', Louis delves into a personal space of his own experiences with social anxiety. “I was questioning myself as to why I felt socially awkward in some circumstances and why that triggers for me. I was just thinking about it and not planning to write a song, and it just kind of happened – the lyrics just formed themselves.”
Donnarumma will play through their growing catalogue of songs when they perform on the Scouted line-up as part of Umbrella: Winter City Sounds.
Scouted showcases the best emerging South Australian bands and this year Donnarumma will play on our very own scenestr stage at West Oak Hotel. “I'm privileged as heck to be on the scenestr stage, it's just awesome,” Louis says.
“We feel like it's a great opportunity to raise the SA flag and to say that we're a part of it this year, because there are so many amazing acts this year so we're just grateful to get to be a part of it. It feels great and I'm sure we'll have a great time playing.”
