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The fact the musician Tricky has referred to the Italian born and Brooklyn based Costanza as, “the female version of me," made Swide instantly curious and so off we went to speed dial this artist and musician to get the low-down on file-sharing, the Brooklyn music scene, and why we need to embrace this technologically rich world. Read our exclusive interview with her here.

If anything the Internet world has given rise to a new generation of multi-disciplined people where bloggers are also photographers, and writers moonlight as filmmakers. Costanza Francavilla is the perfect example – musician, producer, founder of a cutting edge record label and artist to boot. She's also created exclusively for Swide our very own playlist at www.costanza.tv/swide too.

"Where Have You Been" written performed and produced by Costanza Francavilla from her album Sonic Diary

Producer and founder of cutting edge record label and production company ZEROKILLED MUSIC, Costanza’s work has featured in TV and film such as CSI, and has collaborated with trip-hop guru Tricky. Busy creating a burgeoning collaborative music scene fusing Berlin with Brooklyn, Swide interviewed her below.

COSTANZA ON WHY SHE MIXES ART & MUSIC

“We currently live with different kinds of media, and I think it’s important to use all technology to create messages. I studied a traditional art at university (Costanza studied architecture) and I believe we have a responsibility as artists to give our message to the world. We should take advantage of all of these beautiful new forms of art. We are really living in a very rich technological moment.”

(twitter.com/zerokilledmusic, www.facebook.com/-ZEROKILLED-MUSIC)

ON MUSICAL FILE SHARING & THE STATE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

"I have a lot of respect for people in the music in a more established way. There is certainly a fear amongst artists, and I work with artists who are more visible, more commercial and the point is they’re not free. As I have my own record label (Zerokilled Music) I can see on iTunes exactly who buys my records, with a label you’re not aware of what’s going on around you."

I think it’s a transition moment for the industry, big artists are struggling and the industry is collapsing – but the fact remains technology is how people talk and musicians and artists need to be in this vibe.

There is an amazing spirit in America at the moment. People want change and something different, and musicians need to take these risks too, follow the people. I think it’s amazing that I can upload something and thirty minutes later, I get feedback."

Artist and record label ZeroKilled Music founder.

ON WORKING WITH FILM & TV

"I create music for TV shows such as CSI, and I’m starting to work with Indie films and Hollywood.

Usually TV and film opt for music that record labels send them – my goal is to offer a new cool, electronic alternative and I’m in the process of building a catalogue of artists.

For example CSI approached me to create music for particular scenes – and from this I’ve started my lab, which combines musicians from Berlin to New York. The advantage of course with TV is that it can reach a much wider audience, a much wider one that can be reached on the stage – it goes directly into people’s homes. I like to think I’m the bridge between the Hollywood and the underground and the avant-garde."

ON HER NEW PROJECT ELECTRIC BLOOM

Electric Bloom is Costanza’s record label’s first compilation which features remixes and collaborations with other cutting edge artists. Collaborators included Marco Messina (99 Posse – one of the biggest bands of the nineties who reformed a month ago), Lori D (Warp Records) and Jacopo Carerras (Berlin - La Muzic).

"I think the sound is suitable for fashion shows and clubs. It has a down tempo vibe combined with a Berlin beat, it’s clubby electronic but also sensual. I’ve also created a DVD to accompany the album – a collection of visuals from the collective of artists that I work with."

 ON HER SEARCH FOR NEW ARTISTS

"It’s a magical vibe in New York, and it tends to be the case that I just meet people. People are really passionate. I go to an underground place and I can feel this amazing energy, post-Bush administration, the artists are returning.

For example I met this amazing guitar player, I saw him and told him and now we’re working together. People send me music too, it’s how I met Tricky – I sent him a CD and he called me day later. I think we shouldn’t be afraid to say, I’m good at this, you’re good at that, let’s work together."

ON THE BROOKLYN MUSIC SCENE

"Medicine Baby is the forthcoming album from Brooklynites No Surrender (co-produced and mixed by Costanza). It’s very political and very positive. It has a clubby, techno feel crossed with old school Public Enemy."

Costanza is currently working on a new project called B_CO.ME, with minimal techno artist Marco Messina (99 Posse), as well as producing and collaborating with other cutting edge artists in her NYC studio. Her next album and visual art project ’MAKE ME ELECTRIC’ is planned for release in the near future. Her debut full-length album ‘SONIC DIARY’ is out now.

With special thanks to Costanza Francavilla

www.costanza.tv

www.myspace.com/costanzafrancavilla

Source & Photo Credits: Costanza Francavilla

TAGS: costanza tricky music zerokilled music record label csi music marco messina 99 posse medicine baby