The singer of the Italian band Måneskin, Damiano David, is making a successful solo debut with a very pop and personal first album. Meet a 26-year-old rockstar who’s starting to ask some deep questions.
Stronger than Måneskin!
Damiano David is doing even better with his solo debut than with his band. The Italian singer enters straight into 2nd place on the French charts for physical sales and streaming, just behind the hugely popular and recently deceased rapper Werenoi, whose death at only 31 has triggered an immense wave of tributes and listens over the past week.
This shows just how well the 26-year-old rockstar — who now lives in Los Angeles with his partner Dove Cameron — is launching his career under his own name, in an elegant pop universe that calls to mind Harry Styles. His irresistible debut singles, “Born With A Broken Heart,” “Next Summer,” and “Zombie Lady” hinted at a great album to come. Not only does Funny Little Fears deliver on that promise, it also sets the stage for major concerts — at Vieilles Charrues on July 17, and at the Adidas Arena in Paris on September 26.
Why go solo when your band is enjoying such phenomenal global success?
DAMIANO DAVID: This is the first time since the beginning of my career that I’m doing something purely for myself, allowing myself to be open and vulnerable. It’s more honest, more sincere. I managed not to be afraid of what people would think.
The album touches on your fears — loneliness, losing your sense of direction, depression… Was it therapeutic in some way?
Yes, in a way. It was a way for me to find enthusiasm and passion again.
Is success hard to bear?
It shakes everyone. It’s both beautiful and violent. For some people, the path to fame is slower, so they have more time to process it. But for Måneskin, we went from unknown to famous in Italy very fast, then from unknown to famous in Europe, and then in the United States. I didn’t have time to notice what it was doing to me because everything was happening so quickly. When things slowed down, I thought I had to do something with all these feelings.
Couldn’t you have made these songs with Måneskin?
No. When I work with the band — and we’re a group of friends first and foremost — my goal is to create the best songs possible, but also to be the voice for the other members, to understand them. It’s always a shared perspective. But here, I wanted to share my own experiences, my relationships, my low points, and my happiest moments too — and I needed to do that alone. Of course, they understood my approach.
“In the future, I’ll make more music in Italian”
— Damiano David
Is this just a solo detour?
The last Måneskin concert at Rock en Seine wasn’t the final one, don’t worry. I want to lead two careers at the same time — one solo, and one with the band. Each project takes about two years, it’s doable. I actually have enough songs ready for two more albums (he laughs), but nothing’s been planned yet…
Why sing everything in English?
Because this project was born in the United States and is aimed at a broader audience than just Italy. But in the future, I’ll definitely make more music in Italian.
You co-wrote the songs with several authors and composers. How did that collaboration work?
The biggest part of the job was finding my sound. I know what kind of music I like and how I want to sing, but I didn’t know what I wanted my sound to be. That turned out to be a good thing — it allowed me to really enjoy creating and experimenting.
You worked with the prestigious American producer Jason Evigan (Madonna, Maroon 5, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Benson Boone, Rosé…)
The trap when working with such talented people is the temptation to just recreate the hits they’ve written for others. I didn’t want to know too much about them. We created my songs during writing camps, where we lived together for two weeks in the desert. It was a first for me — very enjoyable, like making music with friends.
Your father appears in the video for “Next Summer.” Did your parents influence your musical upbringing?
My parents have always supported me on my musical journey. If I can thank them now by making them proud, I will. My father and his deep musical knowledge had a huge influence on my connection to music. All my memories at home are tied to music — R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden…
You won Eurovision in 2021 with Måneskin, just ahead of France’s Barbara Pravi. Did you watch the final of the 69th contest in Basel?
I didn’t watch it — I was working that night.
“Eurovision changed everything. It was our first connection with an international audience. After years of small gigs, we were off to conquer the world.”
— Damiano David
Do you have fond memories of that win?
Absolutely! It changed everything. It was our first connection with an international audience. After years of playing small gigs, we were suddenly setting out to conquer the world. It gave us a huge boost of enthusiasm and energy. And we showed our generation that it’s cool to be in a band with real instruments.
It’s said you speak a little French…
A little bit. I understand it if people don’t speak too fast. I studied it at school as a second language. But I wasn’t very good at it.
If you were to do a duet with a French artist, who would you choose?
(Without hesitation) Barbara Pravi. We got along well at Eurovision in Rotterdam. Because of Covid, interactions were limited, we were wearing masks, but we could still talk. We stayed in touch after the contest. She’s great, she creates beautiful things. I follow her work, and she sometimes sends me supportive messages.
