Discover The Undiscovered: Milano

We’re pleased to introduce of June edition of Discover The Undiscovered; please meet Milano. In a literal sense, Milano is a family affair comprised of six members: a husband and wife, two sisters and three friends.. The band draws influences of rock, folk and electronic, which creates a refreshingly sophisticated combination of raw talent, multi-faceted musicianship and compelling live performance.



Although a young band, Milano's sound is both mature and distinct. Blending piano, violin, accordion, and four vocalists into the quintessential rock band recipe, the Chicago band toes the line between calculated drama and happenstance festival. Milano's "gypsy rock" sound interweaves instrumental arrangements, call-and-response harmonies, soaring lead vocals and a heavy rhythm section that goes beyond the typical 4/4, 3/4 rock formula, yet a prominent unifier pierces through the avant garde elements - Guerra's voice. His vibrato, range, and tone gives Milano its haunting sound.

Milano released their debut three-song demo, "Zombie World," in 2009. Their five-song "Gloria" EP was released October 30, 2010, and the band is currently preparing for a summer 2011 east coast tour.

Download “A Day Is Gonna Come”
 

Who are your main influences?
Jellyfish, Bjork, Jon Brion, Nosaj Thing, Danielson, the future, happy wedding receptions, our sound man Alan

How did you meet?
I had a crush on Valerie and told her that if she dated me we could start a band and go on tour together. She bought it. Luckily, I was already a songwriter and had some very talented friends that I was dying for an excuse to play with.

What is your biggest achievement as a band to date?
Probably getting runner up for Best Local Band in Chicago Reader's Best-of competition summer 2010. Runner up always kinda sucks, but my consolation is that we lost to a band who has a hit song called "the shamburglar" or something like that. I didn't have to read that twice. We learned our lesson.

Where did the band name originate?
A friend got really really drunk at a New Year's Eve Party. He sloppily said that I should start a band called Milano. For whatever reason, the name really struck me, and I had no idea what it meant. I knew it wasn't the alcohol because I wasn't drinking alcohol at that point in my life. I liked the fact that the word was a bit elusive and that I was drawn to it despite my ignorance of its meaning (or of its subliminal references to a movie star, bite-sized snacks, and Italy). I believe art should be an end in and of itself, stirring us despite our ignorance. I want our music to be that. I also believe there is severe, hot blooded beauty waiting to rupture from the most ill-fated circumstances. I need to believe it. The pretty name came from a blind-drunk teenager and that, in a way, affirms it. If you really knew the six of us, I think our songs would confirm it too. I hope so at least.
 
Favorite Bands?
The Beatles, Radiohead, Rufus Wainwright, Bob Dylan, anything Jon Brion touches.

Plans to Tour? 
We're going out to the east coast two different times this Summer (Aug 3-18) and Fall (Sept 9-17). We can't wait.

 June 30 - Cornerstone Festival (Busnell, IL)
 August 4 - Rohs Street Cafe (Cincinnati, OH)
 August 5 - Kobo (Columbus, OH)
 August 9 - R Bar (New York City, NY)
 August 11 - Sierra Grille (Northampton, MA)
 August 12 - Ingraham House (Bristol, CT)
 Sept 9-10 - Middlewest Fest (Dekalb, IL)
 Sept 14-16 - Kobo (Columbus, OH)
 Sept 22-24 - Midpoint Music Festival (Cincinnati, OH)


Plans for next release?
That ball is definitely rolling. It's going to be called "Festival" or at least sound like that name would be appropriate.