A Killer EP from Baffo d'Oro

If you're not too familiar with the music of Baffo d' Oro, then let us be among the first to introduce you as the band recently dropped a new EP that exemplifies what they're all about by way of giving off a range of diverse songwriting styles that hover around everything from punk, Post Punk, indie rock, little bits of thrash, and this almost cinematic rock backbone that feels full-bodied.

The EP is called This Is It!, and definitely comes in swinging with the first track "Borderline", which feels very vast in its undertone, expansive, and almost anthemic in a sense.

When I mention things like cinematic rock, this track is exactly what I'm talking about.

You have a powerful chorus that's a fist-in-the-air sing-along, but you also have this depth to the track that brings together the louder side of indie rock along with plenty of those punk undertones.

The bass guitar tone on this track alone is amazing. It just gives that thick underbelly but also top-heavy rattle, so that you have something that drives the song perfectly.

The drumming also does an outstanding job of, not just being in the pocket, but more like giving life to the song so that it feels like something that's ever growing and building towards those climactic moments.

Honestly, the drumming on this whole record is outstanding and really does push the whole set of songs to where they need to be energy-wise, to say the least.

The track that follows is called " I don't believe", and this one is less anthemic and more swinging. It feels like a punk rockabilly song that has the air of a live performance.

When I listen to tracks like this, it gives me the sense that they recorded this live on the floor and right in the moment. It is as if everyone in the band was feeding off of each other's energies the entire time, giving off this explosive and animated approach.

In classic rockabilly style, it features some awesome rolling snares and just an impeccable knack for oozing character and color in an edgy track like this one.

This is one of my favorites on the record, and I feel like it stands tall amongst the tracks in terms of giving off that classic punk swagger.

You can tell they had a lot of fun tracking this one because that bleeds through in the recording itself.

The next track is called " Birds aren't real", which starts with more of a post-punk and indie rock vibe as the guitars are less distorted and a little lighter, giving more room for the colorful vocals and melodies to come through.

It soon explodes into a heavier approach, but those melodies are still loud and clear, and I think this track feels like something that showcases the band's diversity in terms of songwriting, especially.

You can hear a slew of influences in this one song alone.

I also love the vocal approach here. It balances between the first two tracks. You have a strong vocal approach that's melodic and has a great energy and robustness to it, and there are those elements of animated swagger as well.

So, to me, this track vocally combines the first two songs' approaches perfectly.

This is also a track that is great to give you a gist of what you can expect off the record, because of things like that. It shows so many different sides to how they do their thing within this one track. It blends all those genres for one single.

The final track is called "Listen", and this one gives you some '80s songwriting styles indeed. You have this sort of '80s pop-rock overcoat, especially with the rhythm and vocal effects.

This one is a more danceable track and not in the rockabilly sense.

This was an EP that speaks volumes for the band and how they utilize all these different influences to create something that feels like it's their own.

The whole record was endlessly fun, super memorable, a bit inventive, incredibly charismatic, and had some great refs, tones, and drive all around.

You can tell they put a lot of attention into the tone and soundscape of their instruments to shape the song and bring it to fruition the way they want it to.

After listening to this record, it makes me want to see them live simply because if they can capture that kind of energy and aesthetic on record so well, then seeing them live must be awesome.

I love hearing a man on record and knowing that I want to go see them perform it.

After hearing this release, we were able to chat with the band about this record and more.

We did a great interview with the guys to see where this EP came from, what it means to them, and find out what may be happening next.

Here's what happened.

Buzz Slayers: Hey and, thanks for taking some time with us! Let's talk a bit about the This Is It! EP! This EP was experimental and almost cinematic! It hit swagger riddled punk undertones, rockabilly and more! Where did this record come from?

The four songs on the EP reflect the band's musical journey over the past three years.

This first EP from Baffo d'Oro simply reflects our personal journey through the last 40 years of intense music listening and going to many live shows in a wide variety of rock, pop, and indie genres. We loved the snotty punk of Iggy Pop and MC5, grunge and Washington DC hardcore were just as much of a revelation as the choruses of Britpop bands. But we also loved the cool, monotonous but no less effective musical statement of the wave bands from the 80s. 

These four songs, recorded independently and mixed by a professional mixing engineer, reflect this love for music and our openness to other genres.

Buzz Slayers: I am hearing some great styles here! Can you give us some of your biggest musical influences?

Our music is rooted in the sounds of legendary bands from the late 70s and early 80s such as The Stooges, Joy Division, Gang of Four and Fugazi. With references to current acts such as Idles, The Chats or the Viagra Boys, So we try to blend the past and the present and combine the energy of post-punk with a wide variety of indie sounds. Should give the sound a contemporary freshness. 

Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as a band?

Coming from various band projects, we had  to write two commissioned songs for an alternative public viewing during the 2018 Football World Cup. But the mood was right. 2020 was the real start of Baffo d’Oro, the initial members continued as a four piece with drummer Orlando and new ideas. New songs were written and the first recordings were made.

Buzz Slayers: Do you find it hard to write records like this?

I have notebooks and voice memos on my phone full of ideas and melody snippets. The challenge is definitely bringing it all together in a band. But that's also the beauty of making music with others. 

Another challenge is always recording with limited financial resources and then being able to release the recordings. Currently, we record all the songs ourselves in the band's rehearsal room and have a professional engineer friend who does the mixing and mastering. It's a good combination. The goal isn't high-end production, but something authentic.

Buzz Slayers: Do you play live shows at all?

Yes, we now have regular live shows, although there could be more.

As a DIY band, we do everything ourselves, which takes time and requires good coordination between our day jobs, creativity, and administrative band work.

But it takes patience and perseverance, and playing as often as possible, even if it's not financially worthwhile. But it's fun.

Buzz Slayers: Who is in your headphones right now?

I'm currently listening to the new album by The Young Gods, a highly influential band from Geneva, Switzerland, which has been around for 40 years.

I'm also fascinated by the band DITZ from England. The Bug Club is a new band that I've also taken a liking to. And I'm listening to the new EP Oh Kay by Ando San from California a lot. It broadens my horizons.

Buzz Slayers: Now that this record is released, what is next for you?

On the one hand, we have regular concerts coming up and we are trying to organize more shows for winter and 2026.

At the same time, we are in pre-production for the new EP, which is scheduled for release towards the end of the year.

And since there is so much going on around us and in the world that I want to write songs about, I am always working on new ideas for songs.

Buzz Slayers: What kind of advice would you have for other bands getting their music out there?

1. Write and practice your songs.

2. Learn how the music and concert business works (there are many workshops available). Even if you have a DIY approach you are digging in the same pond as bands with full professional support...

3. If you still have a job and/or family, try to find a good balance between creativity, work, family, and administrative tasks for the band.

4. Try to get gigs through friends and other contacts. Do you know other bands that would like to organize shows with you?

5. Record songs regularly and release one every now and then.

6. Enjoy the music and the performances. We're not talking about money here, but about the satisfaction of doing something creative for yourself and other people who like your music.

Buzz Slayers: What can you say people might expect from this EP?

The songs address personal and current social issues that listeners can identify with. That's the lyrics side of things. We don't want to preach, but we do care about what's happening on our doorstep and in the world. 

And yes, even though our first EP isn't perfect, maybe listeners will discover something new in one song or another that makes them shake a little ;-) That would be great.

Buzz Slayers: Thanks so much for this guys!!

Thank you. Was great to chat to you about our new EP and our band.

Thanks for your support for new and upcoming and unknown artists.

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