Internet: A Musical Journey with Giuse The Lizia and His New Album

“Bologna has given me and keeps giving me fresh vibes, new people to meet, and keeps me from getting bored. It makes me think and creates new stories and songs.”

These words from Giuseppe Puleo, better known as Giuse The Lizia, perfectly capture his connection to Bologna, the city where he lives and studies. At just 23, Giuse grew up in the suburbs of Palermo, but it's here in Bologna that he’s shaping his artistic journey. To truly get his music, you have to understand the balance between his Sicilian roots and his current life.

On October 18, he dropped his second album, “Internet” (Maciste Dischi, distributed by EMI Records Italy), a project packed with 11 tracks and features from Mecna and Centomilacarie. His style? Think indie pop infused with urban and rap vibes. With his debut album “Crush”, he already blew fresh air into the Italian music scene, mixing old-school indie pop with contemporary rap sounds. Finally, we have an artist who experiments and breaks the mold, showing that Italian music isn’t stuck in rigid genre boundaries anymore.

During our shoot, we talked for ages, and what struck me was how much Giuse reflects in his lyrics: what he sings is exactly who he is. He’s a mirror of his personality and, at the same time, a true representative of Generation Z. His way of communicating, both visually and through words, reflects the ideas, challenges, emotions, and experiences of growing up in a digital world, all with a disarming naturalness.

Naming his album “Internet” was a bold move. For Gen Z, the internet isn’t just a communication tool; it’s an integral part of daily life. Unlike previous generations, they truly know the web inside out, with all its contradictions. Giuse reflects on this complex relationship:

“The internet has definitely shaped how I make music, and as a listener, it’s helped me discover so many things. I think how my peers experience the internet really depends on the person. It can be seen as both a helpful tool and a hostile space. It can really help with collaboration and relationships, but it can also negatively impact anxiety and the quest to create a persona that’s closer to what we want to be versus who we really are. Generally, the internet can bring some superficiality and flatten our attention spans, but that’s a personal take; it really depends on how you experience it. As a tool, I don’t think it’s strictly positive or negative.”

Now Giuse The Lizia is gearing up for his new club tour, kicking off on November 16, 2024, at Duel Club in Naples, followed by a stop in Rome on November 17, 2024, at Largo Venue (already sold out). The tour continues with two sold-out nights at Locomotiv in Bologna on November 20 and 21, 2024, then heads to Padua on November 22, 2024, at Hall, and Turin on November 24, 2024, at Milk, before wrapping up on November 25, 2024, at Alcatraz in Milan.

I had a ton of questions for him because there’s so much to discover about him, his music, and his influences. Here’s a fun fact: he started out as a member of a Strokes cover band! This eclectic background really shines through in his musical vision. Giuse The Lizia is one of the most exciting voices in contemporary Italian songwriting, one of those rare artists who could really shake things up and refresh the music scene in Italy.

Hey Giuse, how’s it going after the album drop? How are you feeling?

“I feel great; it’s going really well. The album is out, and I’m super proud that people are listening and connecting with it. I’m getting awesome feedback, and I’m really satisfied.”

Can you tell us how the album came together? Was there a specific moment or inspiration that kicked it off?

“I started working on it back in June 2023 when my producer and I went to Lerici for a sort of five-day creative retreat. We had a blast, and it was super productive; that’s really where the writing journey for the album began. Other songs came together later, as often happens with albums.”

“INTERNET” dropped on October 18, and it’s your second album after “CRUSH.” Both tackle the themes and issues facing Gen Z. How have you changed, both personally and artistically, between your first album and this one? Have you noticed changes in your writing style?

“I’m definitely less rushed when I write now. I’m more reflective, thinking more about arrangements. On one hand, I’m more mindful of the lyrics; on the other, I’m trying to experiment and step out of my comfort zone. Personally, I’ve grown, lived more experiences, and become more self-aware.”

You’ve mentioned in various interviews that you study law in Bologna and that music and studying go hand in hand for you, even if they seem like different worlds. Which exams stressed you out the most? Is there anything about music that scares you?

“I find music’s unpredictability kind of scary; things can change in an instant. You can put in all this work and not get back what you think you deserve. But at the same time, music brings these highs and joys that are rare in other parts of life. As for exams, I was pretty freaked out by Commercial Law and Criminal Procedure, but I managed to pass both. I’m not too worried about the ones I have left.”

Technology and AI are becoming more and more important in modern creativity, from music to photography and art. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think AI will positively or negatively influence the future of music?

“I think negatively. I believe it’s a really dangerous tool since AI can pull from a potentially infinite number of songs written by others, which we humans can’t do. It’s true that we all write and create because we’ve heard things before, and we’re inevitably influenced by those, but there’s also that original spark of personality that’s subjective and irreplaceable. AI can churn out perfectly mathematical formulas, but definitely less creative and personal.”

Do you use AI to write your songs? Have you ever thought about it?

“No, I’ve never thought about that. I once had a fun experiment with AI; I asked it to write a song as if it were Giuse The Lizia, and it was awful.”

How are you preparing for the tour? Can you share anything about it? Will there be surprises or special moments for the audience?

“I’m not spilling the beans on what’s happening on tour, but we’re all putting in a lot of effort. Compared to my last tour, this one will be way more produced and detailed, with a stronger focus on staging and presentation. There will definitely be surprises, but I won’t say what; just know there’s a lot of thought and care going into it.”

What are the three albums of your life? And which three albums would you recommend?

“The three albums of my life, which I’d also recommend, are: “Patriots” by Battiato, “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” by Arctic Monkeys, and “Mi Fist” by Club Dogo.”

How do you see Giuseppe in 2030?

“I hope to be happy, chill, worry-free, and still have my hair!”

You started in a Strokes cover band: what’s one of their songs that changed your life, and what would you want to steal from Julian Casablancas or the other band members' wardrobe? How did playing their covers influence your approach to music?

“Playing their covers had a huge impact on my music approach because it was the first time I seriously played with my friends. The song that made me fall in love with them is “Someday.” I really envy Julian Casablancas for his melodies, his vibe, and his whole persona—it’s so counter-trend. From his wardrobe, I’d totally steal the leather jacket he wears in the ‘Instant Crush’ video with Daft Punk.”

What places or people help you find your direction? Do you think you’ve found it?

“No, I don’t think I’ve found it yet. I’m exploring lots of paths in different directions. I still don’t know what mine is, but my friends, family, and the people I care about help me along the way.”

Interview by @benedetta.borioni

Photography by @rosariorex

Press @helpmediapr

Record labels @macistedischi @emirecords.it

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