Photo Credit: Matteo Bosonetto
Italian trio Materazi Future Club are building a world where football culture and alternative music collide. Blending post-punk grit, electronic experimentation and infectious dancefloor energy, the Milan-based group have developed a distinctive identity that extends beyond the music, drawing on the fashion, nostalgia and tribal spirit of the beautiful game.
Following their debut album FORMAZIONE TITOLARE, the trio return with their sophomore record, THE ITALIAN JOB, a nine-track tribute to Italian football icons, recorded in London with producer Jake Long.
We caught up with Materazi Future Club to discuss the creative process behind the album, the relationship between football and music, and how they continue to turn their love for the game into an increasingly distinctive artistic world.
Listen to THE ITALIAN JOB whilst reading the interview below:
Paint us a picture: what sparked your passion for the arts in the first place? Was there a single moment or experience that solidified your decision to pursue this path?
Since there are three of us, giving one single answer would be a bit difficult. What we definitely share, though, is an endless love for music and music culture. The moment we realised that this project had to take this particular shape was when we discovered that all three of us were huge fans of mid-2000s dance-punk and post-punk. We built our personalities around the music we listened to as teenagers, and that whole universe shaped us in every possible way. And in the end, you always find your way back to the places where you felt good.
When you create, what leads the way – a feeling, a story, or the sound itself?
In a project as particular as ours, the stories of the characters we portray follow one path, while the sound and the music itself move along another. Once we find the story we want to tell, we make it coexist with a musical foundation that has already been written — the skeleton of the track, basically — and from there, the whole process of building and enriching the song begins.
What’s in your toolkit? Share the gear, gadgets, or software you can’t create without.
Our toolkit is a mix of the essential, the unexpected, and a bit of borrowed gear! First off, YouTube—mainly for watching football highlights to get in the right zone. Then there’s the bass guitar that other bands randomly leave behind in our shared rehearsal space; we’ve ended up using it so much it’s practically part of our setup now! Add a solid, trustworthy electric guitar, and finally, our absolute holy grail: the Critter & Guitari Pocket Piano. Hands down, the best synth ever made.
What’s your go-to ritual or trick for getting into the creative zone?
To get into the creative zone, we need to be in the studio, with the bass plugged into the audio interface and a drum beat running on loop. Then there’s always a conversation between the three of us about something we’ve listened to recently that could somehow inspire the track: little details, like the way a bass distortion sounds or a particular drum fill, can end up making us want to take the song in one direction rather than another.
What’s the one item you always keep within arm’s reach while creating or performing?
Our protective football masks. They’re an absolute essential for us, but strictly when it comes to our live shows!
How did you ultimately end up defining your sound?
As we mentioned earlier, the sound of the project is heavily rooted in the mid-2000s post-punk, dance-punk and nu-rave scene. While the sound on our first album, Formazione Titolare, was rougher and more raw, things changed a little with The Italian Job, especially thanks to the production work of Jake Long, who we travelled to London to work with specifically to help us find a more UK-oriented and international sound.
How has your creative process or perspective shifted since you started your journey?
At first, it was just a game. We started making music in a bedroom, simply for the fun of it, without overthinking anything. Then, once we finished the first track, we said to each other, “This is so cool, let’s make some more.” And little by little, very naturally, we kept writing and producing new songs, because at the heart of everything is having fun: for us, and for the audience listening to us, whether digitally, on vinyl, or live. Then, when things start to take off, the shows increase, and the requests keep coming, that’s when you decide to raise the bar and aim for a place that has always been iconic to us and a major point of reference for music: England.
Walk us through a recording session: what’s the most memorable moment you’ve had in the studio?
Definitely having the opportunity to fly to London to record our album! It’s really not every day that an Italian band gets to do something like that, so soaking in and breathing the same air as all our musical idols was a truly unforgettable experience.
What are your opinions on generative AI music tools such as Suno? Is it something that aids in the creative process, or take away from it?
These tools can be useful if they’re used with the intention of having fun. It’s a completely different story when musicians or songwriters signed to major labels use them to create music. We’ve used Gemini as a social media manager, for example, so we’re not against AI. Obviously, there’s a difference between asking Gemini to suggest the best time to post something on Instagram and asking it to create the artwork for the post. When it comes to anything creative that defines the aesthetic and storytelling of a project, we believe the human touch is essential.
Are there any unexpected or dream collaborations hidden in your work?
Well, we’re in our 30s now, but honestly? We’re still holding out hope of getting scouted and becoming professional football players! We might be a bit late to the party, but the dream never really dies.
Any side projects you’re working on?
Haha, honestly? Our main side project right now is just holding down normal day jobs! Balancing a full-time job with making music is a whole project in itself, but it definitely keeps us grounded—and pays for the gear!
Who’s an emerging artist you think deserves more recognition right now?
Honestly, we believe every emerging artist in the Italian underground scene deserves to be heard abroad. There is so much raw talent, innovation, and passion hidden in our local underground right now, and the world is definitely missing out if they aren’t paying attention to it.
What’s the strangest or most surprising song currently on your playlist?
The most surprising thing you’d find on our playlist—and on our tour bus—is classic Italian opera. When we’re on the road, we love blasting and singing along to timeless opera tracks by icons like Luciano Pavarotti or Andrea Bocelli. People might not expect it from us, but there’s nothing quite like warming up or letting off steam on tour by belting out a huge opera aria!
Which song, album or playlist do you never get sick of no matter how many times you listen to it?
Sound of Silver by LCD Soundsystem. We could genuinely listen to it forever. It’s a perfect album by one of the greatest bands of all time.
Are there any unexpected hobbies or projects you’re exploring outside of your main work?
Well, we’re in our 30s now, but honestly? We’re still holding out hope of getting scouted and becoming professional football players! We might be a bit late to the party, but the dream never really dies.
If your life and career were an album, what would its title be, and what’s the hidden track only your fans would know?
The album title would definitely be Fever Pitch (or Febbre a 90)!
As for the hidden track? That would definitely be Benchwarmers (Panchinari).
Give us a glimpse into the future – what surprises or milestones are coming up for you this year?
Over the last few years, we’ve played a ton of shows in Italy and gotten a small taste of performing abroad. With this new album, our main goal is to cross borders even more, hit international stages, and meet people who can share the absolute best local football stories from their cities.
Famous last words?
Long live punk, long live football!
Follow Materazi Future Club:
Instagram – Facebook – TikTok – YouTube – Spotify
