“He was there and remember, he felt his absence.” So begins The language of surrender, the song with which Tony Maiello won the Nuove Proposte in Sanremo in 2010. In these images we remember the time when he was wearing a tuxedo with a tie, wearing a rebel quiff and having an earring in his left ear. Two years earlier he finished fourth on the X Factor and signed to Mara Maionchi’s record label. But something broke his wings when he was supposed to fly. He became the center of attention but also touched the depths of a young artist’s dreams. He was able to overcome his fears and get back up after falling. In music he found a friend, therapy, and anchor. He wielded his pen, writing songs for Laura Pausini, Giorgia, Marco Mengoni and Francesco Renga that sold almost a million copies. Today, listening to the beginning of The Language of Surrender, you can see the outline of his career and his relationship with Sanremo. A week ago Tale e Quale Show won, distinguishing itself with a great performance, and recently released “Survivere”. Musically he has grown, humanly he has maintained a humility that clashes with his impostor syndrome. However, a flame still burned within him. So he chose to press send and sent the song to Carlo Conti to return to Ariston where he wanted to close the circle. The accompanying realization now leads him to take the stage as the protagonist, leaving the author behind the scenes for a moment.
How do you wake up the morning after your Tale e Quale Show win?
“I woke up with a little pain. I think I went to bed at 5 in the morning. After each episode we went out to eat with most of the contestants. It was half past 4, I fell asleep at 5 and woke up at half 7 because I still had to get the adrenaline going. A little sore but very very happy”
What’s the best message you’ve received?
«In the classic family group they send me a video where they celebrate and toast after the victory».
He started his show by imitating Sal Da Vinci and ended with Gigi D’Alessio. As a Campanian, how important are these two Neapolitan artists to you?
“I was very interested in the two shows because I brought artists from my homeland, beyond the expertise of Sal Da Vinci and Gigi D’Alessio. My challenge for all the episodes was not to end in caricature but to give dignity to the songs and the singers. In the end we can say that they are good”
After the first episode, Sal Da Vinci wrote him a letter to congratulate him. Have other artists you imitate ever written to you?
“Mahmood also wrote to me after doing Tuta Gold, he was very good. Sal Da Vinci wrote back to congratulate me again after the win. I know Gigi sent messages through people because he was very happy and liked my performance”
In recent years he has written songs for major artists. Returning to such an important stage, which although it is not Sanremo which is prime time on Rai 1, how important is it to get back into the game?
“It gave me a new life. I also said this to Carlo Conti and the writers, they again gave me the joy of the stage. Test myself, face new challenges and feel the adrenaline that precedes the performance. I have always lived with this too but in the last years I really missed it. I am very happy and grateful for the experience I had. From now on whatever happens, I will gladly accept it.
In this period of my life, I need a new stimulus”
In his life we talk about the dark moments he experienced and the word depression is also used. Now on stage you seem very free, is there a certain work behind it?
“Of course yes, but it started even before this show. Writing songs is the most effective therapy I’ve ever used, it saved my life. Living in music is what keeps me alive with my family, which represents my foundation.”
Hardest show you’ve ever done?
“Emotionally of course, Mango with La Rondine, which really touched my heart for many reasons. The song, what it represents to me and the challenge because there are artists you can’t go wrong with more than others.”
The most successful?
“There are at least three, it would be difficult to say one. Tiziano Ferro, Sal Da Vinci and Gigi D’Alessio are the three people who work the most”
What relationships do you have with other competitors?
“It was almost like a reality show. We were not confined to the house but from Monday to Friday we were always in the studio between rehearsals and make-up. A very beautiful relationship was created. A huge mutual affection was created with Flavio Insinna, then especially Gabriele Cirilli and Le Donatella who were forces of nature. I was very happy to have met these people. Then Samuele Cavallo, Pamela Petrarolo and others. We were bound by so much respect and sharing. As a trophy I carry the fact that I have met great people: the stylist hair and makeup, technicians, Carlo, and writers It was truly a wonderful family”
How is your relationship with the judges?
«With Malgioglio we have a song playing that I wrote with and for him. We already have a precedent but he also slapped me, he is someone who doesn’t say anything. We also talked the next morning. I sent him a message of thanks, as I did to Giorgio (Panariello) and Alessia (Marcuzzi). You may not share your opinion but I always accept it. We all have different visions and different listening habits. Even comments that may be negative, help me give my best. Until the penultimate episode I was not at all sure of victory, I was in third place and about ten points behind the first. Something happened that I didn’t expect, maybe the path taken in the last few weeks has also yielded results”
Was the win unexpected? Does he have the realization that he can play but cannot win?
“After finishing in eighth place with Harry Styles and Mahmood, I thought, ‘Wow.’ The rankings are always there, there is never a significant gap between the top three positions. Until the last episode I wasn’t really sure I could win. I also suffer from a bit of imposter syndrome, I’m anti-compliment. When I accept it, I tend not to accept it completely. Today I think that deep down I deserved the win.”
His performance is always important, but he also has some important opponents…
“Maryna was a wonderful discovery, she was very good. Pamela Petrarolo and Samuele Cavallo gave great performances. That’s why it wasn’t obvious. In the end I patted myself on the back and said to myself, ‘Oh, great. That went well.'”
How do you celebrate when you return home?
“Classic pizza, this is how we do it. I gather friends and family, we toast and celebrate. I really love the affection and warmth of people who love you. I have tried to surround myself with this for several years.”
We are witnessing a new beginning: will we see you on stage more often or do you still prefer to be behind the scenes writing songs?
«My single “Survivere” was released a few weeks ago. I will dedicate myself mainly to this type of promotion, as well as to the singing and interpretation of the songs I wrote. I want to continue singing my songs. I’ve always had a weakness for the writing side and I’d love to write for other artists too. I will try to make both paths run together”
15 years have passed since Nuove Proposte won. The Tale e Quale show features Carlo Conti, artistic director of Sanremo, as host. Have you thought about sending him your songs?
“I always say that now I’m enjoying the moment and whatever happens will mean it’s fate. If you notice, it’s been 15 years since that Sanremo and this is the fifteenth edition of the Tale e Quale Show. I don’t really believe in numbers, but sometimes when they come back I think there must be a reason. I really wanted to close the circle that opened 15 years ago. I never tried to go there again, as if it was still pending. Young people win and then what happens? There are still question marks big. A lot of people don’t know that I started writing songs. It would be nice to close that circle and say, “I’m happy. I gave it my all, it happened”.
Do you have a strong song at the end that convinces you to hit send?
“I sent one of my songs, as many people do. Who makes music and doesn’t buy a lottery ticket in the hope of winning? To be Big Sanremo you need many factors. I completely rely on the work and rely on the artistic director’s sensitivity. I wrote a song that I think is my best song in recent years. I don’t set expectations but we will try and wait for the list”
In the last few weeks 24 young people made the Sanremo Giovani trip. After winning a new proposal, he sees the best and worst sides of his career. What can you say to them?
“This period is beautiful with many expectations. I recommend dreaming a lot, music gives you extraordinary strength. It is the fuel that keeps me moving every day. Whatever happens, even the disappointments that come, there is always a reason. Even behind every failure, obstacle or defeat there is a reason. So always try, like a hammer. In my opinion, this is the best attitude to try to make a living from music. Society moves very fast and the songs last a moment. We have many possibilities, you have to be clear-headed to get the right train. If you don’t get the previous one, there is always the next one. The important thing is to never stop.”
His other fuel is his wife and two daughters. How important is family in your life?
“I live constantly for my family. They saved my life, so they are the foundation on which I stand. My two little girls are my most precious treasure, my wife is the woman without whom I would not be who I am today. I was lucky enough to meet her 17 years ago, we have known each other all our lives. We are still children. Maybe in another life I will be good enough to deserve the love that surrounds me”
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
