January 2017 was a special month: winter in Europe was unusually mild, and musical events were hot. In the heart of Italy, on the Amalfi Coast and in the cozy studios of Rome, we conducted a series of interviews with British musicians who were touring, working on new tracks, or simply seeking inspiration under the Italian sun.
Tom Odell: “In Italy, I finally learned to be silent”
Known for his emotional piano ballads, Tom Odell told us about his unusual experience of solitude:
“Italy is a country where music lives in silence. I walked around Florence in the morning without headphones, without a phone. And suddenly I began to hear new melodies inside me. These walks became the beginning of my future album.”
Tom also shared that he was inspired by the architecture and acoustics of local churches, where sound bounces off the walls like in concert halls.
James Bay: “I wrote three songs in one night in Naples.”
James Bay, who came to Italy for a short musical residency, admitted that he rarely felt such a concentration of inspiration:
“I just sat with my notebook on the balcony, looking at the bay — and suddenly everything started flowing. No filters, no editing. It seems that Italy allowed me to be real.”
According to him, one of these songs was later included in his album Electric Light with a modified arrangement.
Young names: meeting with songwriter Ellie Thompson
We also spoke with the then little-known songwriter Ellie Thompson, who has collaborated with a number of British pop artists. Ellie shared some behind-the-scenes truths about the industry:
“Here in Italy, there is less rush. This helps to work with music not as a commodity, but as a living language of feelings. We discussed lyrics over a bottle of Chianti — not business, but art.”
Ellie is now actively working with a new wave of British indie musicians, and her name is increasingly appearing in the credits of popular tracks.
Why do British artists go to Italy?
What we learned from these interviews:
- For British musicians, Italy is not a resort, but a workshop. Here they find silence, honesty, and new images.
- A change of context helps to rethink style and go beyond the familiar.
- International music is built on emotions, and Italy, with its sensuality and culture, becomes a powerful source of inspiration.
Summing up
January 2017 left behind not only footage from tours and photos against the backdrop of the Colosseum, but also the birth of new songs that later resonated around the world.
