INTERVIEW WITH THE IVORY BAND

I had the chance to spend 7 days with IVORY during the Ektomorf tour. They were already one of several support bands on the run. They arrived in Konstanz, and since I was the tour manager, it was my job to show them everything and go through all the important information with them.

Every band grew close to me during the tour, but I can honestly say that none had the kind of impact on me—or on the audience—that these guys did. This interview was created for that very reason: after everything that happened on the tour, I truly felt they deserved to be heard by as many people as possible.

I’ve never experienced anything like it—seeing a support band achieve this level of success. I was also working the merch stand, and after their shows, by the time they made it back to their own merch table, there was already a crowd waiting for them. Promoters at the clubs would come up to me, as the tour manager, saying things like, “these guys are f***ing amazing” and “they should come back as headliners.” And they told them this personally as well, many times. They were loved at every single show.

They won me over not only with their music, but also with who they are as people. And I’m incredibly grateful to you guys for all the laughter and all the help (of course, I’m very grateful to every band that was with us on this tour). The humility they showed toward music and the audience is something that should serve as an example to everyone.

They instantly won a place in my heart when they said: “It doesn’t matter if there’s 1 or 1000 people in front of the stage—we give the same energy.” And that was absolutely true. These guys put their heart and soul into every performance, and the audience could feel it.

In Konstanz, I won’t lie—I had a bit of anxiety before their show, knowing they had never performed together in this form before. But my jaw dropped. I kept thinking: either they’re messing with me, or if this really is their first time on stage as IVORY, then they are already professionals.

And this was proven again in Brno, when there was a technical issue in the club and suddenly the sound went out. Carlo and Alessio immediately started doing stand-up to entertain the crowd while the problem was being fixed. There was no panic, no chaos, no running around—just a “how to make a proper carbonara” recipe on stage.

The first 6 questions were answered by Carlo Giordano. For the rest of the questions, I asked everyone to respond.

Get to know them a little better through the interview below:

When did you form? Where are you from? How did you find each other?

Hello everyone! We are IVORY, a metalcore band from Novara in Italy and we formed in July 2024.
Our members are: Carlo Giordano – vocals, Alessio Schibuola – vocals as well, Matteo De Faveri – guitar, Mario Nappi – guitar as well, and Lorenzo Lucchino on drums.

Alessio and Matteo had already known each other from a previous project, while Mario, Carlo, and Lorenzo have been friends for many years but had never had the chance to collaborate musically.
In the past, each of us had always been the driving force behind our previous musical projects, which, one way or another, never led to anything tangible. Most of the time, it came down to someone holding things back or not being willing to invest the time and dedication the project truly needed.
Our coming together felt like a once-in-a-thousand-years alignment of stars. All five of us were stepping away from those failed projects at the exact same time, and we unanimously decided that IVORY would be built on seriousness, commitment, and consistency. Each of us chose to bring that same drive that had been held back in the past and finally push it forward, together.

You’ve already released an EP and some singles. When can we expect your first full-length album?

Our first full-length album will definitely be released in 2027. At the moment, we are working relentlessly on our second EP, which you’ve already had a small preview of during our tour with the songs “Disease,” “Who I Am,” and “Tomorrow Might Be the Day.” The EP is set to be released in Q4 2026.

Who writes your lyrics? Where do you get your inspiration from?

The lyrics are mainly written by Carlo and Alessio, but Lorenzo and Mario are also great writers and contribute significantly to both the ideas and the songwriting process.
Our main inspiration comes from personal experiences, inner conflicts, and human vulnerability.

What are your future plans? I know it’s not easy these days to break through or keep touring, but I assume you’d like to continue playing live?

We don’t know what the future holds, but one thing is certain: our plan is to keep making music and push the live aspect as much as possible. It’s the most direct and effective way for us to connect with the audience, and it’s what we love doing the most.

Who are you working with? Who created your cover artwork? Who is releasing your music? Do you have any kind of mentor—someone guiding you through the metal scene—or are you following your own path?

We feel very fortunate to collaborate with outstanding professionals and artists, starting with our producer Daniele Salomone, guitarist of Lacuna Coil; our trusted videomakers Giacomo Bonacina, Marco Comerio, and Raoul Deschain; and our photographers Giulia De Faveri and Alice Valloggia.
Andrea Vicini handled the artwork for our EP, perfectly capturing the essence behind the songs.
At the moment, we are unsigned and fully independent. Unfortunately, we don’t have a mentor. We’re simply carving our own path within the metalcore scene.

Why did you choose the name Ivory?

The name IVORY actually has a rather simple origin. It was chosen by Alessio and Matteo even before the other members joined, as they were looking for something short and memorable. Over time, however, and through the members' past journey, we gave it a deeper meaning rooted in something pure, elegant, almost sacred.
Ivory is white, smooth, perfect. But that perfection comes at a cost: it comes from something that has been taken, broken, sacrificed.
We are born from that very contradiction.
We like the idea of representing the human being after the break, after the trauma. You’re no longer who you used to be, but what remains is stronger, tougher, more real. That’s exactly what is reflected in our music: clean, almost ethereal melodies clashing with heavy, raw breakdowns.

You just played your first shows together on the Ektomorf tour: how did you feel?

CARLO: For me, it was incredible. Every single show was an intense emotion, something I genuinely struggle to put into words. But it was yet another confirmation of how lucky I am to do what I do, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.

MATTEO: Stepping on stage for the first time with IVORY was one of my greatest victories, because from the very beginning I believed in this project and gave it everything I had. What amazed me the most was realizing, right from the start of the show, how naturally connected we were as a band.

ALESSIO: It was an incredibly powerful emotion. Being able to get here after so much preparation, bringing our music on stage and expressing our vision, it’s something truly priceless.

MARIO: At the age of 13, I saw the movie "Rockstar" for the first time, and one phrase stuck with me: believe in your dreams because we all die young. Two years later, I bought my first guitar, and needless to say, I felt like a god, walking around the house like Angus Young. But, damn, from the first moment I picked up the guitar, I thought: sooner or later, I'm going to get on that tour bus. And it happened! Can you imagine a child's dream coming true at the age of 35? I still can't find the words to describe what I felt. The tour bus, sharing it with other bands who were sharing my same dream, the people, new places, the very little sleep, no schedule. Guys, it's exactly how you imagine it, and it's so beautiful!

LORENZO: Every moment of the tour was incredible and something I will never forget. Having the chance to meet other bands, connect with different people, and share a passion with those who truly believe in music was amazing and very inspiring. Getting the opportunity to go on tour has been one of my dreams since I was a teenager, something I’ve always imagined but never knew when it would actually happen. I’m happy and proud that the first time it became reality was with Ivory, a project I deeply believe in.

What was it like standing on stage together for the very first time in Konstanz?

CARLO: The first show in Konstanz felt almost surreal. It was as if months and months of hard work, sacrifice, and sweat just vanished into the roar of the crowd’s applause. It reminded me of how it felt the very first time I stepped on stage, how your vulnerability, the one you sing about, can become strength for others who are listening. Experiencing that together with my brothers in music made it even more powerful. Playing with them felt incredibly natural and in sync from the very beginning, it honestly felt like we’d been sharing the stage for years.

MATTEO: What a night! Performing, bringing our music to the crowd, and seeing so many people interact with us, jump, scream and cheer gave me confirmation that all of us have something meaningful to give to this world, and that we are willing to make sacrifices to make it happen.

ALESSIO: Exactly as I expected, emotional, a great mutual trust and fun. I think our smiles on stage spoke for us in an extremely clear way.

MARIO: It makes me laugh when I think back to the phrase, I said to Olivia at the first dinner: "We have to confess something, tonight's live show will be our first ever." Olivia made a face as if to say: "Are you serious? These guys are going to make me lose my job." It was so much fun! We were anxious, scared, but damn, we'd worked so hard to get there ready. These were difficult months, full of stress due to the fear of having problems. As soon as Lorenzo started the intro for our set, the four of us said: "GUYS, WE'RE REALLY DOING THIS!" (It gave me chills writing that). The response from people was incredible; we didn't expect what happened in the slightest, and we’re so grateful!!
(I was definitely a bit surprised when you told me this. It also crossed my mind that you might be messing with me.)

LORENZO: At first, I was a bit worried, I admit it: I hadn’t been on stage since 2019, so I didn’t really know what to expect from myself. But once I was there, everything changed: I was overwhelmed by a huge surge of energy and a deep sense of satisfaction. Finally, I was back, doing what I love and what truly feels like a part of me. Seeing that IVORY, the project into which we are putting so much effort, time, and belief, could actually be performed live in front of an audience felt like a dream coming to life. I had been hoping for this moment for a long time, and the first show was very intense, full of emotion, adrenaline, and determination.

What was it like traveling on a nightliner?

CARLO: Getting on a tour bus has always been one of those things you dream about when your younger musician, when you think big and say, “I wish I could do it like real artists” “Play your set, travel while you sleep and wake up in a different place every day, play your set, rinse and repeat.” Precisely because of that almost “childlike” idea, when we found out we’d actually be traveling on a real tour bus, it was hard for me to believe it was really going to happen. I’d always seen it as something distant, almost unreachable.
Needless to say, I had a great time, especially during the late-night conversations with everyone. Getting used to sleeping on the first day was a bit harder though, since I’m slightly claustrophobic and bunk beds are definitely not your comfortable bed at home.

MATTEO: Traveling at night on a real tour bus was something I loved immediately, despite the occasional shaking you could feel from the bunk. Watching bands and hearing stories from friends or colleagues about life on tour buses had always fascinated me, and now I can finally say I experienced it for myself, and I would do it again for months and months. Sitting in the lounge area at three in the morning, talking with the other bands while the bus kept moving, is priceless.

ALESSIO: At first, it's strange but when it ends you miss it!
Waking up every time in a new place is a bit disarming the first few times but when you start to get used to it you can't do without it anymore!
In addition to this I believe that the fact of always being so close and in contact has made us bond even more than before, and we were already very close.

MARIO: It's exactly how you imagine it: you sleep poorly, very little, you wake up every morning and don't know where you are. But, honestly, can I tell you? I'd leave again immediately! It's not a tour bus, it's home! It's where you share emotions, moments. Every night, after the live shows, we'd meet up with the other bands to exchange opinions, emotions, and tell each other stories. Guys, I don't know how to explain it to you, you get to be part of a big family.

LORENZO: I was really excited about the idea of traveling on a nightliner; I had always wondered what it would be like to experience a tour in that way. The first night was tough, I won’t lie, sleeping while moving wasn’t very comfortable for me at the beginning, and it took some time to adjust. But already by the second night I started to feel more at ease and got used to the rhythm. Overall, it was a unique experience, something very different from everyday life, and I can’t wait to do it again.

What experiences did you take away from this tour?

CARLO: I don’t think I have enough space to fully describe everything this tour has taught me. But I can say that the most important lesson is that it forced me to face my limits and challenge them. It also helped me understand what kind of professional I want to become, and everything I absolutely don’t want to be, now or ever.

MATTEO: After this tour, I understood many things. The first is that I truly want to become a real musician and make this my career. Traveling, discovering new places, playing every night somewhere different, this is the realization of a dream. Of course, I had doubts. I kept asking myself: “Won’t this lifestyle be exhausting? Is this really the right path for me? Am I willing to sacrifice for it?” After this short but intense experience, I realized that all of my doubts had been answered, and now more than ever I am convinced that this is the path I want to follow.

ALESSIO: Surely this tour has taught us what we want to achieve with our musical career, but above all what we will never want to be. Kindness, spontaneity and the desire to live music with others is one of the fundamental things if you want to do this job, regardless of the success and the position you hold in your hands.

MARIO: Three weeks have passed. Even today, I still feel a kind of emptiness inside, like I don't belong where I am. Don't get me wrong, I love my personal trainer job. I fought hard to get what I have and to be who I am, but every day I feel like I belong to the stage. These are still difficult days. At times, I feel depressed because I don't know if or when a similar experience will happen again. It's not about becoming someone, but simply being in that place. Since I've been back, I've been working hard with the guys to make it happen again, and I promise: it will.

LORENZO: The most important thing I take away from this tour is the certainty that music is truly what I want to do in my life. I don’t think anything can compare to the feeling of being on stage and playing for an audience, sharing that moment in real time. Being able to share my passion not only with my bandmates but also with other bands and the crowd gave me a strong sense of belonging and purpose. It confirmed that this is where I want to be, and that if you truly believe in something and put your heart into it, even the dreams that seem the most unrealistic can eventually come true.

You immediately won over the audience. How did it feel that both the crowd and promoters wanted you back as headliners? How did it feel to be invited to festivals right away? Tell me about these experiences.

CARLO: Honestly, the one word that best describes this tour for us is: surreal.
We knew we had a strong show because we spent months studying and preparing it, but we could have never expected this kind of reaction from the audience. As a support band, we assumed there wouldn’t be that much interest in what we were doing. After all, people were there to see Ektomorf, not some unknown Italian band.
Instead, the German (and Czech) crowd welcomed us with open arms from the very beginning. They were attentive, engaged, and present. I couldn’t be more grateful for them and for the time they gave us.
And when promoters approached us and spoke about bringing us back as headliners, my heart literally exploded with joy and gratitude. It made me realize that maybe we did something right, and it's worth every drop of sweat and blood.

MATTEO: The reaction from the crowd was completely unexpected for all of us. The first night in Konstanz was so surreal that it left us speechless. We expected nothing. We simply stepped on stage and gave 110%, just as we had promised each other. We received so much feedback and so many compliments that personally left me stunned. Every promoter or person who came up to us saying things like, “Guys, you absolutely destroyed it,” or “You were the best,” made me realize more and more that I could turn this great passion into a real job. I still can’t believe I signed so many shirts and took pictures with all the fans, whom I still thank and appreciate deeply.

ALESSIO: We didn't expect such a welcome from the public and the promoters, it sincerely moved us, I won't lie, we cried on several occasions from joy!
We can only be grateful for the kindness and beautiful words that were said to us by the people we had the pleasure of meeting during this trip.

MARIO: I'm 35 years old, 194cm, 100kg body weight. I've been weight training for 9 years. You, who are reading this, can't see me, but you can imagine what I'm like. Well, I want to tell you that even a big man like that found himself crying every night from the emotion. Guys, every day I asked myself if we deserved all this. I'll never forget the flashing lights of phones, the mosh pit, people singing our songs without ever having even heard of us. Can you imagine what I'm saying? These are things that can't be explained. Even today, when I think about it, I get goosebumps and I still shed a tear from the emotion. Thank you, thank you so much.

And regarding festivals...Well, you know how much we jump and run among hundreds of people. Can you imagine what it will be like with a few thousand? Jokes aside, sharing your music with as many people as possible is what we want to do. Creating a connection with them, that's the goal, and I can't imagine what it will be like to be able to do it with thousands of people. Get ready, we're preparing something truly incredible.

LORENZO: I honestly couldn’t believe it. Even though I believed in the project and felt that what we were doing worked well, seeing that kind of reaction was something else entirely. It was an incredible emotion to realize that people genuinely appreciated our music and connected with it. Knowing that both the audience and promoters would like to see us again, even as headliners, made everything feel even more real and meaningful.

What was it like being at the merch stand after the show when people rushed to meet you?

CARLO: I’ve been saying this forever, and every member of IVORY feels the same way: being present as people is just as important as performing, because the connection with the audience doesn’t end on stage. I strongly believe you should never come across as being above the people who listen to you. You’re simply one of them, you just have the privilege of telling your story through music, but you’re still a regular person.
Maybe it’s also thanks to this mindset that people told us that they perceived us as more “human” making it easier for them to connect with us and our music. Interacting with them at the merch table is one of the most beautiful parts of being a musician, it’s incredibly moving to see how, even in a small way, someone has been touched by what you shared and how you expressed it.

MATTEO: The post-show moments at the merch table were without a doubt some of the best parts of this tour, because that was where we could have direct contact with people, hear their words, and receive their feedback. I’m grateful to everyone who believed in us and bought one or more shirts, asking us to sign them. Every night before the show, one of my thoughts was: “I can’t wait to talk to people after the set, hear what they think, and have a few laughs together.”
Without them, IVORY would not exist. I sincerely thank everyone who came to see us and who spoke with us, even if it was just for a handshake.

ALESSIO: Seeing people come to us to ask for photos, autographs or even just say hello was beautiful and unexpected, we didn't believe that so many people could be interested in us and our history. Each of them has a little piece of our heart and we can never thank them enough for all this
We will be eternally grateful for all this.

MARIO: I remember one night I got off the stage, dried off a little from the enormous amount of sweat, went to the merch, and saw a line of people. Guys, I shed a tear, I couldn't believe all those people were there for us. An autograph, a photo, only to say hi. As I said before, our mission is to create a connection with you, and seeing that connection succeed is indescribable. I feel like I can never say thank you enough, but trust me, I could spend hours thanking you for the enormous support we’ve received.

LORENZO: Seeing people coming to our merch stand to talk to us, support us by buying our items, and ask for autographs and photos was honestly surreal. It’s one of those moments where you stop and think, “Is this really happening?” Even now, looking back, it’s still hard to fully believe it. The most rewarding part for me was realizing that our songs and our messages actually reached people and meant something to them. I think that for a musician, creating a real connection with listeners is the most beautiful and fulfilling feeling you can experience.

As IVORY, we'd like to add just a few more things if possible.

Thanks to the amazing artists from the other bands who shared this journey with us. You guys made touring even more fun and enjoyable, which we thought was a pretty impossible task. Truly great people and now, great friends!

Last but certainly not least, a huge THANK YOU Olivia for giving us the opportunity to play and to live an experience that we will always carry in our hearts. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

END