Bio.
Through his music, Don Jio reminds us that life is too precious to be taken too seriously, encouraging to explore the infinite possibilities of self-expression and create a world where love and music know no bounds.
Guided by a hedonistic spirit, Don Jio celebrates the pleasures of life and encourages others to do the same. His songs resonate with optimism, humor and irony, capturing the essence of the modern rock star and Latin lover.
In a society that often idolizes perfection, Don Jio embraces the inherent flaws that make life and love so beautifully human. His songs provide a comforting embrace, reminding us that it's okay to stumble, rise again, and navigate through the imperfect journey.
As a queer artist, Don Jio proudly embraces his identity and channels his experiences into his music. He creates a safe space where the LGBTQ+ community can find understanding and empowerment, celebrating diversity and the beauty of individuality. Through his music, he challenges societal norms and inspires others to embrace their true selves without fear or judgment.
Don Jio never stopped traveling extensively along Thailand, South Asia, Indonesia, and recently fell in love with Latin culture, spending winters in Mexico and Colombia. Don Jio is a passionate traveler who has encountered a wide variety of music along his journeys, and these experiences have shaped his sound. In his spare time, he immerses himself in ethnic, spiritual, and world music, as well as Latin rhythms; all of which continue to inspire and influence his work.
Don Jio has spent the last decade in Berlin’s modern underground scene.
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Don Jio remains fearlessly true to himself. Ignoring musical trends, his music transcends boundaries and genres. An artist who brings to life songs entirely on his own, without external influence or conditioning. He writes the sheet music for all musical instruments and he sings all the vocal parts. He writes the lyrics exploring the depths of his own emotions and experiences, and produces the songs himself from the first note and sometimes to the final masters.
Don Jio also actively manages the visual elements associated with his work, photos, graphics and videos. Collaborating with talented artists he met along the way, he explores different visions and techniques, continually pushing the boundaries of his artistic expression.
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His passion for music has always been there. Already as a child he sang in the "Choir of the little Venetian singers”. The piano has been his closest companion since childhood. He began with classical piano studies, which later became a way to sing and play the songs of his favorite artists, straight from the page. Buying sheet music of his favourite singers was his greatest joy, Vasco Rossi, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and later The Cranberries, Linda Perry, Alicia Keys, Radiohead…
Coming out of magical but too small Venice, he studied in Bologna, immediately joining the university choir and then touring Europe to sing Mozart in Gothic churches accompanied by orchestras from other countries. Coming out of magical but too small Venice, he studied in Bologna, immediately joining the university choir and then touring Europe to sing Mozart in Gothic churches accompanied by orchestras from other countries. Drawing on his experience as a classical choral singer, he crafts songs rich in layered vocal harmonies, with strings intricately woven into the fabric of his music.
Don Jio then studied professionally at a Music Academy in Bologna, learning harmony and composition, being initiated into a taste for Blues and Jazz.
He is also fond of electronic and ambient music, which add a modern and atmospheric dimension to his style. Don Jio spent years collaborating with DJs, singing, and learning music production through hands-on experience.
His connection to club culture and the social atmosphere of parties fuels his electric energy. He learned a lot from the "world of the night," which entertains and excites him still today.
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The next musical step was a pop electronic music duo project, Lunatiq Phase, opening more space for creativity and freedom of composition. Spending every night awake producing in the studio until dawn, the duo pursued the dream of becoming true rock stars. They got music contracts, all their songs are released and available online. However, as musical visions diverged and personal growth took different paths, Lunatiq Phase duo project eventually came to an end. Their last album, LP, was released in 2018.
Determined to embrace a more intimate and personal expression, Don Jio embarked on his solo journey, devoting himself to the depth and simplicity of love songs written on piano and delivered through his raw voice, simplifying his style to an essential core of acoustic instruments.
The Italian musician, who lives in Berlin, is about to release his debut solo album.
Many video clips of his songs are on the YouTube channel @DonJioMusic.
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