Milan, Italy
Sananda Maitreya lives in Milan. That name may not mean anything to you, but you probably remember Terence Trent D’Arby, the hard singing performer whose ‘The Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby’ is an ‘80s classic with a real retro-soul feel.
Though born in Florida, Terence first became a star in the United Kingdom before finding success in the United States. “Wishing Well” is still played in clubs around the country. Terence was nominated for a Grammy and made his mark with raw voiced, dynamic performances. But he eventually became disenchanted with the American music business; returned to Europe and changed his name to one he felt reflected his love for music and desire for spiritual fulfillment.
As a long time Milan resident Sananda has great insight into the city, as well as career plans. I knew him during the first part of his career and was a big supporter, so it was great to get back in contact with him.
Q: Why did you settle in Milan?
Sananda: Convergence. My wife Francesca, who is from Milano, and I were ready to leave the U.S.
I had grown weary of the politics of the business and knew instinctively that returning to Europe would grant me more creative space and encouragement, as well as more personal privacy in achieving what goals I had in mind for Post Millennium Rock. Finally, the advance in digital technology and the Internet meant that it didn’t matter where I was based physically, I could collectivize my thoughts anywhere and share them with other interested parties in any other part of the world.
Q: Does Milan inspire your music? If so, how?
Sananda: Yes, it would be quite fair to say that Milano is a source of inspiration. In Italy as a culture, artists are accorded a respect which is normally reserved for doctors in our own, as cultural necessities, clowns as philosopher/ambassadors. This does have a profoundly soothing and stimulating effect on the creative mind. Here, as in much of Europe, the artist is given respect, and all spirits feed on respect. Also Milano has a very grand musical history. Mozart loved coming here.
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