LATO are an amazing indie band I discovered recently, having a funky, fresh sound to their music. I stumbled upon their song Camouflage and loved it, wanting to share it with the world. If you also liked the track, you can find out more about the band below!

By Jane Howkins

You recently released a single titled Camouflage. What can you tell us about the track?

In general, our music is deeply rooted in the rhythm and groove which we feel strongly about, but it’s also got vocal harmonies, rocking guitars, keys, synths, strings and saxophones, which complete the LATO vibe.

Camouflage is based on a guitar riff but lands on a rhythm section with a funky vibe. We wanted the organ to give it a 60s beat feel that goes hand in hand with the bluesy melodic vocals. Our intention for this song was to create an atmosphere in which 60s sounds continuously melt and hide behind rock and roll and psychedelia, re-emerging now and then to create a sonic camouflage. The lyrics echo the music: the idea is that some people build their reputation and charisma disguised behind ambiguous words, and constantly change their point of view in pursuit of popular consent. Watch out though! If you’re always hiding behind a mask, you may also forget your true nature and lose yourself!

How has the reception to Camouflage been so far, and where can the song be purchased?

The reception of Camouflage has been great so far! Our video on Youtube got more than 10k views, and we are getting excellent reviews from numerous media outlets both in the UK and the US, but also in Brazil and in other parts of the world.

The song can be streamed and purchased on all digital platforms. Soon on our website and social media profiles, more information will be available on how to pre-order the upcoming album Karisma.

Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?

So far, we’ve released two singles from our upcoming album Karisma – besides Camouflage we also released Machine Head Warning in May 2022. So if you haven’t heard it you can find it on all the digital streaming platforms – the video is available on our Youtube channel or on our website. It’s funkier and portrays another facet of our sound.

We plan to release a third single, which is very different from the first two, in the first quarter of 2023 right before we release our album.

Keep in mind that LATO means ‘side’ in Italian, which can be the side of a triangle, a square or any other geometrical figure, meaning that we are always open to expand our musical horizons and evolve into different shapes.

Do you plan to release an EP or an album anytime soon?

Yes! Our upcoming album which we’re really excited about is called Karisma, and it will be released in the first semester of 2023.

We are particularly happy about the sonic impact we created and the live atmosphere we did our best to convey in Karisma. Having collaborated with an excellent producer (Antonio Cupertino – @toni_qper) in an incredible studio (Officine Meccaniche #officinemeccanichestudio), coupled by top notch mastering (Giovanni Versari – @gioversari), the new songs reflect the sonic richness we wanted to express.

We didn’t just want to write good songs but also caress the depth of the soul of those that listen to our music through our sound, vibes, and images.

Did the pandemic hinder your work much?

The pandemic was tough, especially because the live part of our music is very important. However, it also proved how strong our inspiration and urge to spread our message and sound are. So, we are proud of having kept the artistic flame burning and getting past all the setbacks and winding roads that life presents. The singles that we are gradually putting out from our upcoming album Karisma are a sign that our passion and inspiration are powerful vital forces.

Your music contains elements of indie and alt rock. What/who influences you most as artists? What have you been listening to recently?

That’s a big question! They are so many and diverse that it’s tough difficult to list them, since we all grew up listening to a lot of music also at home. I guess we could start from the blues legends like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters, moving to the r&b classics like Otis Redding, Marvin Gay and the Motown sound, but not leaving aside Dr. Feelgood. Then we have the psychedelic influences that include Pink Floyd, Jefferson Airplane and Captain Beefheart. Finally, the 90s sounds of Sonic Youth, Mudhoney, Beck and dEUS, as well as all the shoegaze influences like Spiritualized, Primal Scream and Jesus and Mary Chain. Probably better to stop here because we could go on forever!

Recently we’ve been listening to the Black Angels, a really cool psychedelic band. We also came across a UK band called Drool that sound really fresh and interesting. But we’re always looking out for new, inspiring music.

Do you have any other projects that you’re working on at the moment? What do you like to do in your spare time?

Since we finished recording the upcoming album from which Camouflage is taken, new ideas are coming up and we’re already starting to put together some new tracks – hopefully these will turn into another album within a couple of years.

Also, we are constantly looking for new stimuli and expanding our frontiers. At the moment, we are looking into a collaboration with the world of motion pictures, but for now this is top secret!

In terms of spare time, I guess we should separate the time spent in the physical world with that exploring the artistic dimension. A good share of our physical day is dedicated to living life beyond playing and composing music, but while we’re doing that, our minds and spirits are constantly developing and elaborating our worldly experiences and transforming them into images and music. As a matter of fact, inspiration for songs often comes from quick flashes that stick with us and then gradually turn into songs. That’s why we always have to be ready to capture those moments.

Where are you based? What is the music scene like in your part of the world?

We are based in Milan, Italy, but we also have spent a good part of our lives in New York since two of us actually grew up in the US and are native English speakers. We also went on a US tour to promote our previous album Out of the Dark.

In Italy the music scene is pretty vibrant, and in this post-pandemic period, the feeling is that people have a greater urge to go out and listen to live music. Also, bands that actually play guitar-based music are now attracting a lot more attention. It seems like rock’n’roll in a broad sense is becoming popular again, but maybe it’s also a global trend. Whatever the reason, we’re delighted that this is happening!

Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?

At the moment we don’t have any dates lined up for the UK, but we are working with our booking agency to organize at least a mini tour when our album is released in 2023. We should have some updates at the beginning of the new year.

Any last words for the fans?

First of all, thanks for appreciating our music and keep following us as we release the next singles from our forthcoming album. Feel free to get in touch because we believe interacting with those that listen is an essential part of the artistic experience.

Then, let yourself be inspired by art, listen to good music and be charismatic with whoever you meet.

Follow us on https://www.latosunds.com

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