British singer-songwriter Joe Cang and Italian musician and composer Matteo Saggese share a 25 year history of friendship, cowriting and producing music together.

In 2015 after a two year hiatus, they came back together at the piano again.

We started writing this album on a rainy day in London andthe songs of heartache, shipwreck and weight loss arrived in a hurry,as if urgent to be heard.We quickly realised that this was a record that wanted to be made in one go.No tricks, smoke or mirrors, just people, instruments, microphones and music all together live in one room, capturing the unique magical moments as they happened.

So, in a tiny medieval village (Sicignano degli Alburni) in the mountains near Naples, nourished by the warmth, peace and pace of village life, soaked in southern Italian sunshine, wine and melodies,Loco Ironicowas born.

With the legendary engineerJerry Boys(The Beatles, Buena Vista Social Club, Shakira, Ry Cooder)we set up a studio in a living room unchanged since the 1970s and were joined by the greatDanny Cummings(Elton John, Mark Knopfler)on drums and percussion andDavide Mantovani(Fela Kuti, Baaba Nana Vasconcelos) on double bass.

We recorded all 11 songs in 3 days, with no click track, separation or safety net.

Every song is one live take of vocals, piano, bass and drums.

We were then blessed by the addition of some incredible guests:

Phil Manzanera(Roxy Music, Pink Floyd)

Sarah Jane Morris (The Communards, Pere Ubu)

Peppe Servillo(Paolo Conte, Avion Travel)

Steve Sidwell (Stevie Wonder, Sting)

Tony Remy(The Crusaders, Annie Lennox)

Dario Deidda(Benny Golson, Gil Evans Orchestra)

John Parricelli(Andy Sheppard, Goldfrapp)

and Ben Castle(Radiohead, Gregory Porter)

The result is Carpe Afternoon

We now want to share this music with the world and to do that we need to print the album, employ radio pluggers, start a PR campaign, get tour support and have a proper international release.

We greatly appreciate you taking the time to listen to the songs and hope you’re moved to join us on this journey.

And remember:This is music for those with a taste for the ironic and laconic and for those who prefer whisky to tonic

Joe & Matteo